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By Iheanyi Chukwudi Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state has suspended the operations of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA). The suspension which took effect from Wednesday, August 2, was contained in a public service announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia. He said the suspension is necessitated by the need to carry out detailed review of the activities of the Authority, its processes, and transparency of its operations. Government also directed third parties that collect Motor Park, Keke Park, Truck Park fees on behalf of ECTDA, to submit their relevant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to the Office of the SSG on or before August 9. The statement reads in parts, "During this period of review, only operations directly authorized by His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State will be treated, to ensure the State attends to the needs of the public that cannot wait for the completion of the exercise. "All third parties and individuals who currently collect any form of Motor Park, Keke Park, Truck Park fees on behalf of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority are to submit their relevant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on or before 9th of August 2023. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of such MOU’s." While urging the public to be guided accordingly, government assured them that the exercise "will be concluded as soon as possible, and recommencement of operations will be duly communicated."

By Madu Obi THE kidnapped Anambra State-based native doctor, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, a.k.a “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki”, who recently regained his freedom after six days in the kidnapper's den, is set to convert to Christianity. Nwangwu was abducted in his hotel at Oba, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State after killing two of his aides. He was released after N350 million was allegedly paid as ransom. Nwangwu was not known to have associated with Christianity before now, which was why it was surprising that he is planning a thanksgiving in the church on Sunday to mark his release by kidnappers. The social media is already awash with the planned thanksgiving. One of the commentators said: "The native doctor is going to church for thanksgiving for being released . In all, our God is the ultimate." Another commentator said: "I post this to show those who worship idols that God is still number one. "Akwa is set for thanksgiving at Oba Anglican Church next Sunday being 6th of August. As his fans, please be there to thank and praise God for his release". Recounting his experience in the hands of the abductors, Nwangwu said: “They killed up to 20 people before me. They just came to kidnap and their targets were people who have money. They wanted to kidnap as many as 50 people from my hotel that day, but instead of allowing them to do that, I decided to follow them.” Recalling what happened before his abduction, Nwangwu further said: “What happened was that I was at home that day, at around 11:30pm, when someone called me and said they were in my hotel, and that they were spending money and had spent close to N300,000 and they wanted me to be around. “I obliged them and drove to the hotel. Not up to 30 minutes, gunshots rented the air. People started running helter-skelter. I went out to see what was happening and the people started shooting at me, but you know... “They killed two of my security men. I don’t want to reveal much now, but I know that two things can only save a man. If your charms don’t save you, your money will save you. Anyone who has charms should have money. The people took me into their car and drove off.”

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives, is meeting now at the Chief of Staff Conference Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja. The Committee is comprised of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and government representatives When the meeting held last week Friday, the organized labour stormed out of the meeting fuming that there was no top government officials to negotiate with them and accused government of not being serious with issues at hand. That meeting was meant for the Committee to take briefings from three subcommittees of Mass Transit, the CNG and Cash Transfer, which the government had proposed to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero; his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo; the General Secretary of NLC, Emma Ugbaja; the TUC Secretary, Nuhu Toro and other members of the organized labour are present at the meeting. Details later

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has said that it would soon establish Local Government Road Maintenance Agency to ensure all year -round motorable roads in all the communities in the state. The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Hon. Collins Nwabunwanne said in Awka that the agency would be funded through the state / local government joint arrangement that ensures judicial expenditure of the allocation to the third - tier of government. He said that with the mandate of the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo who has spelt out the right direction for the state, the success of the local governments determines the success of the state. Nwabunwanne said: "If the local governments don't work, then the state government automatically collapses. One of the major challenges in the state was that the local government system was in disarray when we came on board. "Workers were not going to their offices and with the new system of payment of salaries through the electronic banking, people were getting salaries without working. In fact, some of the workers only went to their offices towards the end of the month to confirm that their names were still on the payroll. "When we investigated, we found out that the reason people were not going to work was because there were no basic working tools. We discovered that most offices either did not have chairs, or the available ones had broken down; there was no electricity, no computers and termites were growing in many offices because people no longer entered them. "Some of the local government chairmen were living in hotels outside their areas and we wondered how any meaningful development could take place under such a situation. "However, during our visit to the councils, the workers assured us that they were ready to work if the working tolls were provided and that is why we have decided to put their offices in good shape. "We also discovered that majority of local government workers belong to the junior cadre who have not been exposed to any training. Today, the story has changed as we have trained about 2000 of them and by the time this administration celebrates second year in office, we would have trained additional 3000 workers, while others will be exposed to seminars that would help to enhance their promotion." The Commissioner also explained that most of the community leaderships have been democratized, recalling that at the time the present administration came on board, over 80% of the communities were run through caretaker committees. According to him, the caretaker committees became a norm as a result of the influence of some powerful men in the various communities, who believe they must decide who became what in their areas. "We have put machinery in place to conduct election in all the communities and already, over 100 communities have elected their Presidents General and with that, development has commenced in those communities. "We will not impose anybody on them, but we will encourage them to evolve smooth means of electing their leaders, he said.

By Madu Obi The Ogbaru Division of the Anambra State Police command has smashed a notorious armed robbery gang that has been tormenting members of the public in Okpoko, Obosi, Atani, Oba and environs for several months. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said the feat was achieved in collaboration with the community vigilante groups in the area. According to him, the leader of the gang, whose name was given as Jekwu, was earlier arrested on 11th July, 2023. He added that during interrogation, Jekwu provided clues that were followed up and surveillance mounted on other members of the gang, which culminated in the arrest of another member as he attempted to evacuate the gang's arms from Jekwu's hideout. Ikenga said one pump action semi-automatic gun and two locally made pistols were recovered, while the second gang member was also taken into custody. He added that further interrogation led to the recovery of five stolen tricycles from the gang, with registration numbers NSH 156 VU, NNE 622 UW, NSH 203 VU, UKP 349 UV and UML 359 WV. Ikenga said the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, while commending various vigilante groups who partner with the police to provide quality security for people of Anambra State, called on owners of the recovered tricycles to come forward with proof of ownership to collect them.

By Madu Obi The abducted Anambra native doctor and social media influencer, Chidozie Nwangwu, aka Akwa okuko tiwara aki, has regained his freedom after six days in the kidnapper's den. It was gathered that the popular native doctor, considered one of the richest men in his Oba community in Idemili South local government area, was released on Saturday morning. An indigene of the town who confirmed the release said: "Akwa okuko was released very early this morning and he is still celebrating with his friends and well wishers in his house in Oba. “His friends rallied round and raised the money for the abductors."He said the kidnappers demanded N300million ransom before he could be released and later demanded additional N50 million, which was also delivered to them, before he was released. The Anambra State Police command has also confirmed the release of the native doctor. Police PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said: “Yes, he was released this morning. We are waiting to debrief him with a view to getting his experience and clue of who the abductors were, so that we can go after them.” Meanwhile, the native doctor said he followed them to avert further bloodshed after the kidnappers had earlier killed his two aides. Entertaining those who came to celebrate with him, Nwangwu attributed his abduction to unnecessary envy by those who were not happy about his success in life. Recall that Akwa okuko tiwara aki was kidnapped in one of his hotels in Oba on Sunday. Two of his personal aides were killed before the abductors went to him and kidnapped him without any resistance.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday officially declared an end to all sit-at-home, including the Mondays and any other proposed with the aim to force the Nigerian government to release him. The IPOB leader communicated the declaration in handwritten statement handed to his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, authorizing him to read out same to newsmen at a world press conference held Friday evening in Enugu. Kanu in his statement made it unequivocally that anyone henceforth engaging in sit-at-home in the South East was no longer his disciple and should not claim membership of IPOB. Sit-at-home order was given in 2021 following Kanu's arrest and rendition to Nigeria by security agencies of Nigeria in collaboration with their Kenyan counterparts and detained at the custody of the Department of the State Services (DSS). Though IPOB had cancelled the order, Simon Ekpa-led faction insisted on it and even declared sit-at-home on other days of their choice, visiting the people with violence as they enforce it. In the handwritten declaration dated July 24, 2023, read by his special counsel, Ejimakor, Kanu frowned at the refusal of Simon Ekpa, the Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), to announce the cancellation and further declaration through his media platforms. He therefore, warned Ekpa to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth and to make a public announcement to the effect that he (Mazi Simon Ekpa) is in receipt of a direct order from him (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.” Ejimakor’s full address reads: “This Public Announcement bears (as shall be reproduced below) the unedited, verbatim instructions containing a Direct Order personally issued by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his own handwriting on 24th July, 2023 through me to Mazi Simon Ekpa, instructing him to ‘desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth’ and ‘to make a public announcement to the effect that he (Mazi Simon Ekpa) is in receipt of a direct order from him (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment;’ and also that he (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) has, by the same order, ‘authorized me to issue a press statement if he (Mazi Simon Ekpa) fails to make this announcement on his platform.’ “For avoidance of doubt, this Direct Order was personally handed to me by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu when I visited him on the said 24th July, 2023 at the headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS), Abuja. Later that day, I tried to contact Mazi Simon Ekpa via his WhatsApp number but could not reach him until 1:44am the following day (25th July, 2023), whereupon I snapped the Direct Order as written and sent to him. He thereafter acknowledged receipt and we spoke briefly on it and exchanged a couple of text messages thereof. “Since that early 25th July, 2023 (when I conveyed the Order to Mazi Ekpa and he duly acknowledged it, he has not implemented the Order or otherwise made such announcement on his media platform. Nonetheless, I made a conscious decision to give him the benefit of doubt and thereby accord him more time to do the needful. “Then, late yesterday, further written Instructions was issued by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to me, referring to the extant Direct Order to Mazi Ekpa and, in addition, instructing me that given that Mazi Ekpa has not carried out the Order, I must, as of today, being 28th July 2023, proceed to make the Order public through a Public Announcement/ Press Statement. In the said further Instructions, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu added more pertinent details and instructed that I must equally make them public. “Accordingly, and as of Counsel, bound by duty and the solemn oath of my noble profession to faithfully and zealously implement my Client’s clear Instructions without any fear or favor, I now therefore reproduce ver

By Madu Obi AN accused person in the case of alleged defrauding of an orphan, Miss Victoria Mbachu of her inherited N10 million property in Nnobi, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State, Mr. Olufemi Salako, said on Friday that the person accused with him, Chief Chijioke Okaa, who is a native doctor, gave him N10000 at the Correctional Center in Onitsha to testify in his favour at the court. Speaking while standing in the dock at the Chief Magistrate Court, Nnobi when the matter came up, Salako also told the court that Okaa has been threatening him since July 16 when the matter last came up and he was remanded in prison custody. “After the last sitting on July 16, I was granted bail by this court and as soon as the court rose, three persons including Okaa came to me that they were trying to perfect my bail condition." “They said that I should handover my phone to them, but I refused. And as if that was not enough, Okaa started threatening me." “Later, he visited me in the prison custody and gave me N10, 000, telling me to support him”, Salako said. Earlier, the complainant, Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna told the court how the native doctor destroyed his N10 million property which he bought from Miss Mbachu. Ezekwenna, who is based in New York City, USA, who opened his testimony in the criminal charge brought against Okaa and the Beninese bricklayer, Salako, at the Chief Magistrate Court presided by His Worship, Kenneth Nwoye, narrated how he paid Mbachu N10 million for her property. He said that after paying for the property, he deployed building materials including, iron rods, blocks and other materials for full construction after erecting the fence, adding that all the materials he assembled were either damaged or missing. He said: "It was when work began at the site that Okaa emerged with others, demolished the fence and destroyed building materials I kept there and it was this situation that prompted me to report the matter to police." “Regrettably, while policemen in Lagos were investigating the matter, a team of Police arrived from Force Headquarters, Abuja and arrested me on the allegation that Okaa had petitioned the Inspector General of Police”, he said. Ezekwenna added that after investigation of Okaa’s petition, the police decided to charge him, (Okaa) for false information. Ezekwenna, who tendered documents showing agreement with Mbachu and evidence of N10 million payment, regretted that Okaa refused all overtures made to him to settle the matter out of court. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Kenneth Nwoye adjourned the matter to August 4 for continuation of hearing. He also ordered that Salako should remain in prison custody until the matter was concluded. It will be recalled that the prosecutor had accused Okaa and Salako of sometime within the months of July 2020 and October, 2021 at Nnobi, did attempt to commit felony by inducing Miss Nzube Mbachu to change her property title document in favour of Okaa. They were also accused of promising to build a house for Mbachu which they never did, prompting her to sell the property to Ezekwenna.

Mbah submits From Iheanyi Chukwudi, Enugu Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has submitted a list of 15 Commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly. Sending the list through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Mbah appealed to the House to give it a speedy consideration. The list which was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Uche Ugwu has in it Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Prince Lawrence Eze (Prince of Mburumbu), veteran broadcaster, Aka Eze Aka among others. Also in the list signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia are some former Commissioners. The list as presented has in it: "Professor Ndubueze Mbah, Mrs. Ngozi Eni, Prince Lawrence Eze (Prince of Mburumbu), Professor Sam Ugwu, Pharmacist Chika Ugwoke, Dr. Kingsley Ude, Professor Emmanuel I. Obi, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Ben Ugochi Madueke, Barr. Lloyd I. Ekweremadu, Engr. Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Mr. Aka Eze Aka and Ada Chukwu." The SSG, Onyia in the letter accompanying the list disclosed that it was not the complete list. He said, “While this may not be the exhaustive list, I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration."

By Madu Obi THE United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, has said that exclusive breastfeeding of at least six months of a child's birth is a powerful life saver, describing it as critical to long term health and wellbeing of both mother and child. Speaking at the zonal media dialogue on the forthcoming 2023 World Breastfeeding week and zero water campaign for the four states of Anambra, Benue, Cross River and Enugu, the nutrition specialist at the UNICEF Field office, Enugu, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora described as unfortunate, a situation whereby majority of nursing mothers do not optimally breastfeed their children. According to her, only 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed in the first six months, adding that the laxity contributes to about 800,000 child deaths annually. She said: "The practice of feeding babies extra water, in addition to breast milk, is common in Nigeria. This is harmful as extra water not only introduces illness- causing pathogens, but also reduces the child's thirst and effective suckling." Onuora observed that over the years, the exclusive breastfeeding rate had shown only marginal increase from very low rate of two percent in 1990 to 17% in 2019 as reported by the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. "The zero water campaign, therefore, promotes giving babies breast milk only on demand day and night and stopping the practice of giving water and other liquids and foods from the moment of birth through the first six months of life, so as to achieve the World Health Assembly global breastfeeding target of 50% by 2025", she added. The UNICEF Enugu Office Communications Officer, Dr. Ijeoma Onuora Ogwe urged the media to set agenda for zero water campaign on exclusive breastfeeding, arguing that every working nursing mother should enjoy six months of maternity leave with assurance of job security. "Practicing breastfeeding at work makes societies work, as it provides vital health and nutritional benefits for children with positive lifelong impacts, building healthier populations and workforces for the future. "Women should not have to choose between breastfeeding their children and their jobs because exclusive breastfeeding is possible regardless of workplace, sector or contract type. "Also, effective maternity protection improves children's and women's health and increases breastfeeding. "All women everywhere, no matter their work, should have at least six months paid maternity leave, paid time off for breastfeeding and flexible return to work options," she said.

By Madu Obi AFTER initial hiccups occasioned by the people's resistance to demolish their property to give way to the new flyover at Ekwulobia, the fourth largest city in Anambra State, the multi million naira project has finally taken off. Over 500 buildings affected by the project have been demolished and most of the owners have been paid compensation. However, the total amount paid by the state government to the owners could not be ascertained. Governor Chukwuma Soludo had said that the construction of the Ekwulobia flyover became necessary in view of the excruciating hardship faced by motorists and those doing business in that vicinity. A visit to the project site showed that work had begun in earnest, although with the expected inconveniences for those who use the road regularly. The site engineer of A. G. Vision Construction Company handling the project, Nawar Deeb said work began there two weeks ago, adding that the company will hopefully deliver the work in 18 months. According to him, work is progressing as government has been meeting its obligation to the project. "The host community is also cooperating as we have members of the community who are part of the construction," he said. The President General of Ekwulobia, Nze Azubuike Nzechukwu said despite the initial anger over the demolition of buildings, the people have embraced the project. He said: “Before now, the people were not happy because of the demolition of buildings, but Mr Governor came here twice and spoke to the people about his intentions." “Now, the people have accepted the projects and are very happy. Many of the people whose houses were affected have been paid compensation. It is only about 10 per cent of them that are yet to receive compensation”.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu state, Frank Nweke Jr. has advised the Governor Peter Mbah-led government of the state to work to earn the trust of the citizens. The former Minister of Information and Culture also admonished Governor Mbah and his government not allow themselves to be lured into taking actions that will be counterproductive to the efforts at ending sit-at-home in the state. Nweke who apparently was reacting to the sealing of people’s shops and private business premises that were not opened on Monday by the state government, warned that “Government should not be baited by non state actors into coercive actions that may be counterproductive.” The APGA governorship candidate it can be recalled recently withdrew his election petition against Mbah at the Governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu, on personal reasons. In statement he titled “Unraveling the Monday sit-at-home quagmire in Enugu State,” Nweke commended Mbah’s government for working to end the illegal sit-at-home but warned it be mindful of actions taking towards achievement of the goal. Nweke Jr. who ran an issue-based campaign in the. last election, expressed worry over government's action questioning how a government that was appealing to the people to come out on Mondays and go about their duties would at the same time seal their shops and offices forcing them to sit down at home. Nweke statement reads in parts, “Unraveling the ‘Monday sit-at-home' in Enugu is a classic leadership quagmire. It mimics the dilemma of the tsetse fly perched on the scrotum - swatting the fly without due care may crush the testicles. Doing nothing does not preserve the twin balls, either. Yet, something must be done. “The sit-at-home order by renegades is destructive. It undermines the rights of citizens to free movement and pursuit of their social and economic endeavours. No benefit can come out of this obnoxious imposition. Government is right in working to end it “Sealing businesses, however, for not opening to business further compels the shop owners to ‘sit at home’. Just, what you don’t want. “Our people sit at home on Mondays out of fear for dear life. Businesses are set up for profit. No benefit, therefore, accrues in the owners shutting their businesses. Each day that owners sit at home undermines their business and profit and survival. However, it is only someone who is alive that can open a business to make a profit. There are genuine reasons to be fearful. “The ongoing efforts by the government are commendable. In addition to mobilizing the security services, the government must work to earn the trust of citizens. Trust cannot be earned by force. It cannot be decreed. Overturning these two years of fear will require some level of patience. “I urge empathy, constructive engagement, and demonstrable efforts to protect citizens in a way that they can see and feel, in order to progressively restore normalcy to the state.”