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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.”

By Madu Obi THE giant cement manufacturers, the BUA Group, has begun the construction of a students center estimated to cost N1 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State as part of its social responsibility. UNIZIK is the South East beneficiary of the ASR Africa project, which is also being executed in selected universities in the other five geopolitical zones of the country. Other universities benefiting from the project include University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan and University of Benin. At the foundation laying ceremony of the project at the Awka campus of the university on Tuesday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Uboh Udoh commended UNIZIK for passing the rigorous screening process. He said: "We had a very tedious screening process that included consideration of the university's ranking and innovations in the university. After that, we did physical inspection of the project site and interacted with the staff and students before the choice was made." "We appointed a consultant who supervises the project and the university also appointed its consultant. Our consultant visits the project site and does the necessary checks." "We also created a system where we can score the projects in terms of their impact and accessibility, usage and the ripple effect it will have on the host communities." According to him, what the group is doing through ASR Africa is to contribute its quota in the area of social development. He explained that in addition to the N1billion grant to the six universities, the group also gives smaller grants starting from N250 million, adding that about 30 universities have benefited from the scheme. Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Charles Esimone commended ASR Africa for selecting the institution as one of the beneficiaries, stating that he was aware that there was tedious and competitive process in selecting the beneficiaries. Describing it as an iconic project, the Vice Chancellor said the multipurpose students center would have many facilities, including an amphitheater, offices, sports facilities, internet facilities, among others. "It is an architectural masterpiece that will improve the skyline of UNIZIK and we are lucky that ASR Africa is executing one of the best structures in this university" Esimone said

Iheanyi Chukwudi Experts in neurosurgery have called on both Federal and State governments to make the treatment of Hydrocephalus compulsory and free for all Nigerian children. The experts who participated in the 1st Enugu Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy + Choroid Plexus Coagulation (ETV/CPC) collaboration between the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and NeuroKids, where no fewer than 17 children with Hydrocephalus had successful endoscopic neurosurgeries, noted that the cost of treatment of the said health challenge was beyond the reach of the poor masses. The beneficiaries of the endoscopic neurosurgery who are between the ages of four months and eight years are said to be recuperating effectively after the surgery. UNTH and the experts in neurosurgery further said that governments’ involvement in the treatment of Hydrocephalus was the only way the health condition would be tackled in Nigeria. The request to the governments came just as the UNTH broke another new ground through collaboration with United States of America (USA)-based NeuroKids Foundation on new method of treating children with Hydrocephalus. Children with Hydrocephalus have excessive brain fluids that make them experience abnormal growth in parts of their body. It could also be described as a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (cavities) within the brain. Experts said excess fluid could cause ventricles to widen and put harmful pressure on brain tissues in children. In the process, enlarges their brain and head. UNTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Obinna Onodugo, who expressed happiness over the partnership and the adaptation of the Endoscopic surgery (Dr. Warf Procedure) by the Neurosurgery Department of the hospital, said it had boosted the efforts of the institution in breaking new grounds. Onodugo commended the government for their efforts through the institution and urged it to see the need to support the hospital by subsidizing the cost of the surgery for the children or take it over entire for the sake of poor masses. A Consultant Neurosurgeon and Project Director of NeuroKids-UNTH Collaboration, Prof. Enoch Uche while requesting government to make the treatment of Hydrocephalus free, noted that NeuroKids donated  Neuroendoscopes  and many other equipment worth over $90,000 to make the project succeed. According to him, “UNTH working with NeuroKids is making this surgery and this treatment available in UNTH and surgeries are subsidized by the management of UNTH while NeuroKids has provided both the facilities. What you have here, these endoscope systems worth tens of millions of naira and NeuroKids has provided it free of charge, not only that, NeuroKids has mobilized a team to come and support us as we do this surgery. That team is led by Dr. Justin Onen, a Neurosurgeon who has a lot of experience in doing these surgeries at Mulago Hospital, Uganda, there is also Prof. Femi Bankole from Lagos who is also part of the team. “We want to implore the government to come to the aid of patients with Hydrocephalus. Because most of them are born by poor families, they are not usually brought for treatment, that’s why you are seeing a five-year-old being brought for treatment for the first time. “If government had made the treatment of Hydrocephalus compulsory and free for all Nigerian children, that will be acceptable and a very positive way of saying that we want our children to have the best form of health. “We want the government to partner with UNTH to provide other facilities that are required to make pediatric neurosurgery come to the standard that is acceptable in most of the developed world so that our children would not have to be taken out of Nigeria for treatment and so that the poor masses with this

By Madu Obi The small businesses support programme for the people of Anambra State initiated by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka has taken off at Obosi, Idemili North local government area of the state. It was in fulfilment of Chidoka's promise during the burial of his mother, Deaconess Victoria Chidoka, in May 2023 that he would set up a business support fund in her memory to assist women petty traders. No fewer than 100 petty traders have already received grants under the programme to enable them expand their businesses. The wife of the former minister, Mrs. Chidinma Chidoka went round the markets to make the presentation to the beneficiaries. Recall also that Chidoka had before his mother's burial, organized a free cervical cancer screening and medical care tagged Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area and Obosi in Idemili North local government area in which over 1000 patients received treatment for various illnesses, including malaria and diabetes. Prescription glasses were also given to over 300 patients. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke thanked the former Minister and former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for his uncommon philanthropic gesture. A beneficiary, Mrs Alice Mbara while thanking Chidoka for the intervention, said it would help her to expand her watermelon business.

By Madu Obi After months of detention at the Correctional Center over alleged illegal possession of firearm, the chairman of the foremost aluminum roofing sheets company in Onitsha, Best Aluminium, Chief Pius Nweke on Monday regained his freedom. A Federal High Court sitting in Awka and presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had on 14th June 2023 sentenced Chief Nweke to 10 years imprisonment with an option of N30m fine for the offence of unlawful possession of a firearm and another three months imprisonment without option of fine for the offence of unlawful possession of ammunition. Nweke, whose ordeal was traceable to the protracted dispute between his community, Abba in Njikoka local government area and Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, was released after meeting the bail conditions. In an emotion-laden statement after his release, Nweke urged his people of Abba not to lose hope. He said: "I have come to realize that in this world, God created different seasons for a reason. He allows us to pass through some trial situations even in our innocence for a reason. But in all things, God never in any circumstance fails to prove himself as the Lord of the universe." "He has never failed to protect the innocent and fight on the side of those who seek genuine justice and just course." Going down memory lane, Nweke added: "For some years now, I have been made to pass through the valley and shadows of tribulations, but God has remained my strength and anchor. " He has shown me that those who put all their trust in him can never be put to shame. "At my worst moments, he has been a source of hope and victory. Even when they gathered against me and the course of justice that I have stood for, the protective grace and mercy of God has remained with me." "As I reflect on the multiple challenging times I was made to undergo for standing as a defender to the just course of my beloved community, Abba, I wish to specially thank good spirited Anambarians who highly frown upon oppression and all those who came forward during my court trial and my period of incarceration to testify in my favour." "I recognize distinguished personalities such as His Royal Highness, Igwe L. N. Ezeh, Eze Abba, other traditional rulers in Anambra state and some illustrious sons and daughters of Abba Community, as well as Most Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Diocese; Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger; Venerable Dr. Emmanuel Ezeugo, and other kind hearted clergymen and Knights of Saint Christopher, Diocese on the Niger, for all their prayers." He assured that despite his travails, he would never stop seeking​ the course of justice and the propagation of the genuine interest of his community, adding that he will continue to serve and worship God Almighty in whom​ he holds in great trust to reveal every atrocious antics and actions of those against him and his community, Abba. "I wish to encourage all sons and daughters of Abba community never to lose hope in their fervent prayers. I am very confident that at the end of this period of trial, truth will prevail over every form of injustice that has been meted against Abba community for many years now. "God will definitely prove himself as the God of justice, and all who stood for justice will smile and celebrate when the day of reckoning comes", he said.

By Madu Obi A popular native doctor based in Oba, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was kidnapped on Sunday night in one of his hotels in the town. The native doctor, known as Akwa Okuko tiwara aki ( an egg that breaks palm nut), was believed to possess power of disappearance, but could not disappear when the kidnappers came for him. His two personal aides were said to have been killed in the vicinity of the hotel before the kidnappers effortlessly took him away. Regarded as one of the strongest native doctors in Anambra State, it was a surprise that he was kidnapped with so much ease in his hotel, Triple P Hotel, which is one of the three hotels he built in Oba. The Anambra State police command has confirmed his kidnap as the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga said the incident happened around 11:30pm last night. The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has already ordered operatives go after his abductors and ensure his release. A source said: “Akwa Okuko Tiwara aki has been Kidnapped. Two of his security men were shot dead." In the he meantime, many people have been trouping to his house in Oba to find out if truly he was kidnapped in view of the enormous powers he was believed to possess. The kidnappers have also not made any contact with his family in terms of ransom to be paid.

By Madu Obi THE new Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has assured that the state police command would continue to provide security for people who want to go about their businesses without hindrance. He stressed that the police have no business with people who prefer to sit at home when they are supposed to be working or doing their businesses. His statement came on the heels of the threat by the Finland - based Simon Ekpa that there would be a lockdown of the South East for two weeks beginning from July 31, 2023. Addressing reporters at the state police headquarters, Adeoye described as unfortunate, a situation whereby people now work for four days in a week, but get salary for five days. He said: "From the point of law enforcement, sit at home is an illegal affair. Those making the declaration for the sit at home belong to an organization which competent courts have described as illegal. "Our duty as security agencies is to provide adequate security for the people to the best of our ability. But it is the people who have the prerogative to decide whether to sit at home or not." " We cannot enter anybody's house to drag him out because if we do that, we will be infringing on the person's fundamental human rights since he has freedom of choice." " In spite of the action of security operatives, some people support the sit at home, which is rooted in the agitation for a separatist enclave called Biafra. "Those who work for four days see Mondays as extra holiday. As long as we are able to protect those doing their businesses, we have no business with those who prefer to sit at home." Adeoye vowed that under his watch, Anambra would be a hot place for criminals, adding that the command would collaborate with other states in the South East to secure the zone. He said further: "We are not in the habit of telling criminals to relocate from the state. We will not create problems for neighbouring states by asking criminals in Anambra to relocate to other states because we have all it takes to deal with them here in Anambra State and we will deal with them squarely, unless they turn a new leaf." "We have no delight in seeing people lose their lives, but if that is what it takes to protect the people of Anambra State, we will not stop to achieve the mandate given to us by the Inspector General of Police". He commended the Anambra State government for creating a social avenue to empower the youths and other persons in the state to reduce crimes.

The Enugu state government has directed business owners and super markets operating in Enugu to open shops and businesses every Monday of the week. In a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and addressed to each business operator, the government observed that some shop owners in Enugu metropolis have refused to open for business every Monday of the week. The release further observed that the refusal to open shop on Monday is against the backdrop of the robust security arrangements made by the state government and the fact that the observance of the sit-at-home on every Monday of the week has been cancelled. The release directed that any shop that is not open for business with effect from Monday, the 24th day of July, 2023 will be sealed and re-allocated to some other persons who are willing to do business in Enugu. The release also warned that licences of corporate bodies will be revoked for failure to act on the directive. The said release is a final warning to all shop owners and corporate bodies who are yet to comply with the directive to open shops on every Monday of the week. From our roving reporter.

By Madu Obi Awka-THE president of The ex Biafra war affected police officers have pleaded with government to harmonize their pension in the interest of equity and fairness. President of the association, Mr. Matthew Udeh lamented that many police officers in the association earn as low as N6000 as monthly pension because they were on the Biafra side during the civil war. Speaking in an interview in Awka, Udeh recalled that all police officers who were in Biafra were dismissed after the civil war in 1970, adding that it took 30 years of petition before former President Olusegun Obasanjo granted them presidential amnesty in 2000 and converted their dismissal to retirement. He urged the Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme to do everything within her power to ensure the harmonization of the pension of war affected police officers with the prevailing pension arrangement in the country. He said: "Our case is peculiar because at the end of the civil war in 1970, we were dismissed from the police because we served in Biafra. " We had to petition the injustice and thirty years later, our dismissal was converted to retirement through the presidential amnesty granted by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. " The retirement took effect from May, 2000 and naturally our pension was supposed to be based on the salary we were earning at the time of retirement. In other words, we expected that our pension would be based on the prevailing pension in 2000, but unfortunately as a punitive measure, our pension was based on what we were earning when we were dismissed 30 years earlier, which was why many of us were earning as low as N6000 pension per month for constables." According to Udeh, what members of his association receive as pension is too small to assist them as they have become old and urged to the Executive Secretary of PTAD to prevail on the present administration to harmonize the pension of the war affected police officers with others. .