Search Results

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Police in Enugu have arrested three persons involved in the viral video of a young lady being beaten, stripped and hair forcefully shaved, with the Comissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, ordering a thorough investigation and prosecution to serve as deterrent. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects a male and two females including the one beaten and stripped in the viral video, Chinenye Agbo, are claiming that the video is a prank. He said, “Police Operatives serving in Nsukka Area Command of the Enugu State Command, on 14/08/2023, identified and arrested one Obed Chekwube Ugwuanyi a.k.a. MC Sharp (male), aged 32, Chinenye Agbo a.k.a. Star Ella Ada (female), aged 26, and Anastasia Onu (female), aged 26. The trio and others at large are involved in the viral video wherein Chinenye was seen being beaten, her cloth torn and stripped, and her hair forcefully shaved on the allegation of beating up Anastasia, who is Obed's girlfriend, and giving her a human bite on the chest. “Preliminary investigation reveals that the trio are, however, claiming that the video, which has generated public outcry and condemnation due to the inconceivable assault, inhuman and degrading treatments meted out on Chinenye as seen in the video, is a prank and meant to garner followers on their social media accounts.” Ndukwe stated that CP Ammani, while condemning the act, has ordered the State CID Enugu to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those found culpable, to serve as a deterrent to anyone who may want to perpetrate such an act under the guise of a prank.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Government has donated Relief materials worth over ₦80 million to victims of flood and other disasters in the state. This is just as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has partnered with the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for more relief items for persons and communities affected by the 2022 flood disaster across the local government areas in the state. The state government while making the donation stated that the relief materials would not only serve as succour but would also help the affected persons to settle down by reactivating their means of livelihoods. NEMA Director-General, Mustapha Ahmed Habib, who presented the agency items through the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Ngozi Echeazu, to the state Governor, Peter Mbah, at Government House, Enugu, explained that, “the relief intervention by the Federal Government through NEMA is not a compensation, but rather a fulfillment of the Federal Government’s responsibility to support the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian citizens wherever they live especially when the capacity of their state and local government authorities are exceeded .” A management staff of the agency, Amaka Chidi-Aroh, who represented the Zonal Coordinator also noted that, “Upon the escalation of the 2022 flood disaster, the NEMA South East Zonal Office carried out damage/need assessment in six major selected Local Government Areas namely: Enugu South, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Awgu, Udenu and Uzo Uwani to determine the level of the flood disaster, damage caused, needs of the affected communities and appropriate recommendations were made in line with the agency's mandate to ensure that all affected communities were provided with necessary short, medium and long term support to enable them recover from the disaster.” She said that the relief materials which included livelihood items were expected to help the affected persons stand on their feet and return to normal life. Reminding members of the public of the recent unpredictable weather conditions, the Zonal Coordinator said, “let me use today's occasion to remind us that recent unpredictable weather conditions associated with climatic variability in Nigeria have aggravated the occurrence of disasters. “We must therefore constantly evacuate solid wastes that clog drainage systems in our cities and townships, avoid building on flood plains and move to higher grounds whenever there is an early warning on looming flood disaster. “Disaster management requires a collective effort, hence the calls for concerted endeavours on Disaster Risk Management and enhance collaboration between emergency response providers at community, local, state and federal levels.” She commended Enugu State Government for it's uncommon partnership with the Agency and for setting up a Technical Committee on major hazards (erosion and windstorm) in the state for the purpose of ensuring effective disaster management. Speaking shortly after receiving the items, Governor Mbah who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended NEMA for its partnership with Enugu state government, noting that the state government's partnership with NEMA had always yielded positive results and would be a continuous collaboration. He disclosed that NEMA’s data had also assisted the state government in its planning, adding that the support would help in rebuilding the victim's economic base. The Governor expressed confidence in the credibility of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Enugu State, led by the Nkanu East local government chairman, Hon. Okechukwu Sydney Edeh, assuring that the items would be properly distributed to the affected persons. Earlier, the Head, Welfare, Enugu state Emergency Management Agency, Chinaza Mbah, explained that the items presented were for the 2022 flood victims, noting that a lot of communities were affected, houses and farmlands destroyed and some lives lost in the 2022 flood disaster. Receiving the items from SEMA, the chairman of ALGON, Hon. Edeh, said that they would go to the Local Government Areas, and set up a committee for the distribution of the materials to the affected persons. Materials presented which were food and non-food items, included bags of rice (10kg), bags of beans (10kg) bags of garri (10kg), kegs of vegetable oil (20 litres), cartons of seasoning cubes, cartons of spaghetti, cartons of tomato paste, bags of iodized salt, while none food items included, pieces of mosquito nets (treated), pieces of blankets, nylon mats, guinea brocades , children's wear (new), packs of diapers, packets of sanitary pad, cartons of toilet soap, cartons of disinfectant, cartons of OMO detergent. Others were non-food items, which included cooking pots, cooking stove (standard), building materials, bags of cement, planks, 400 bundles of roofing sheets , nail, zinc nails, ceiling board, livelihood Items, grinding machines, pieces of water pumping machine and sewing machines (butterfly or equivalent).

By Madu Obi FARMERS in 50 communities in seven local government areas of Anambra State have cried out over flood that is threatening to submerge their farms and homes. Local government areas threatened are Anambra East, Anambra West, Awka North, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, as well as parts of Ihiala and Ekwusigo. Recall that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned of an impending flood disaster in 19 states, including Anambra State, similar to the type that occurred in 2022. Many communities affected by last year's flood are yet to recover from it despite interventions by some donor agencies. Many farmers residing in the coastal areas of the state have been forced to embark on early harvesting of their crops as the flood has been coming with great speed. Worried by the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu has begun sensitization and awareness campaigns to the flood -prone communities of the state. The state government has also directed Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen to organize town hall meetings to educate the communities on what to do ahead of the flooding. Fish and pig farmer at Omor in Ayamelum local government area, Mr. Clement Igwilo said Ifite Ogwari, Omor , Umuerum in the area are seriously threatened, just as Aguleri in Anambra East and Awba Ofemili in Awka North local government area are gradually being taken over by the flood. He said: "We have over 350 large fish farms on the water ways and once the flood comes, it sweeps away everything and we are left with nothing. "It is sad that we are harvesting so early but we have no choice so as to save the much we can. "Those that are worse affected are the farmers that planted yams and cassava because they are harvesting too early" Monica Nwoye, a farmer at Inoma in Anambra West local government area said that it is not enough for National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to raise alarm, adding that it should come on time to assist the farmers. "Every year, the government would shout and tell us that flood is coming, but it ends there. They do nothing to save our farms and after the flood, government would forget us and wait for another flood," she said. Prince Chris Okwuosa, a fish farmer from Umuzu community in Ogbaru local government area lamented that the Bank of Industry and Nigeria Agricultural Bank have not helped matters, warning of imminent food crisis next year due to the impending flood.

By Madu Obi About 800,000 members of the Block Rosary crusade drawn from 120 Parishes in Nnewi s Diocese in Anambra State were yesterday feted during the 70th birthday celebration of an Nnewi - born businessman, Sir Louis Onwugbenu. The event coincided with the Feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Onwugbenu, a Papal Knight of St Gregory the Great, KSG, has been sponsoring activities of Block Rosary for over 40 years and offered scholarship to hundreds of the less privileged ones in the society. The Chaplain of the Block Rosary in Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Hyginus Aghaulor said while the industrialist has been spending millions of naira on the children over the years without expecting any reward, the only gift the children could give him is prayer. The clergyman said that as part of this year's celebration, prizes ranging from N200,000 -N50,000 would be awarded to deserving winners in various competitions instituted by the philanthropist. "He has been celebrating this over the years. He was a Mass server and a member of Block Rosary crusade at a very young age and since then, he has not looked back," Fr. Aghaulor said. Speaking in an interview, Onwugbenu said he is delighted to be born on the Feast of Assumption, which is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. He said: "I was nurtured early in life in the percepts of Christianity and was well groomed by the Irish Priests led by Fr. Kettle. Monsignor Basil Onwuasomba also mentored me greatly. "As a Mass server (Alter Boy, Altar Knight), I was so privileged to have been raised with a solid religious background, especially when one also considers the strict discipline inculcated into me by my parents. "So, I strongly attribute my success in life to my upbringing and of course, handwork and vision. "Of course, as a human being, I faced certain challenges in life. The biggest low point yet for me was coming face to face with death on April 10, 2020 at the early stages of Covid-19. "I was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Reston Hospital Centre in the United States of America, USA. My whole family was also down with the pandemic. My last daughter was already in serious condition. I couldn’t sleep at night because of worrying and over thinking. I must say from my experience that over thinking and anxiety are the major causes of death for people suffering from Covid-19. "As I was being attended to, I witnessed people dying from the virus. I felt I was going to die particularly after my doctor who was my age mate told me that the chances of those in our age bracket surviving the virus when the disease had reached such an advanced stage, was remote. "I called and notified my friend priests telling them the critical condition of my health, I urged them to pray for me and my family. I called Dr. Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) who had been so worried with my condition, to take care of my family as I wasn’t sure of my survival. A deeply shocked Innoson was scared and called his close friend, Chief Uchenna Umeaneto (Ucheson Mary) to engage the services of prayer warriors to seek God’s intervention. Masses were booked in the process. "To God be the glory, gradually, I miraculously regained my strength. All my family members, including my last child, Juu-Juu who was in critical condition after we had given up hopes, also miraculously regained her consciousness. If God can save me and my family from Covid, there’s nothing He cannot do for me." Onwugbenu said he would continue to rededicate himself to the service of humanity. He added that his intention is to establish a university in the nearest future, to complement the Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools he had already established. On his 70th year anniversary, Onwugbenu said: "Attaining the biblical age is something I owe God a huge gratitude. I can’t thank my God enough for His mercies and choicest favours. "I’m also using the occasion to assist the Block Rosary groups in some of their projects. I want to inculcate that spirit of generosity in them and make them know that they can replicate such gesture when they grow up or even surpass what I’m doing today. "It is my honest belief that after my exit from this world, many of these young children from Block Rosary will be the Louis Carter of their time and also help humanity just like I did."

By Madu Obi Persons Living With Disabilities, PLWD, in Anambra State have pleaded with the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo to give them palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of petroleum subsidy. Speaking during a workshop for visually impaired persons at Abagana in Njikoka local government area, the chairman of the group, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke described their condition as precarious and enjoined the state government to make exclusive plans for them under the prevailing circumstances. Okeke said: “We want the state government to make the proposed palliative plan inclusive. What I mean by inclusive plan is to make sure that if they are setting up any committee for any palliative disbursement, they should largely accommodate persons with disabilities because we are the worst hit of this economic crisis Nigerians are facing. “If the government is planning for the people, they should get us involved. The era of government thinking for us has gone. They should bring us to the table so that we will tell them exactly what we want and how we want it. "The subsidy removal is particularly hitting our members. Some of our meetings are no longer taking place because our members cannot afford the transportation fare to come to our various meeting points. Those meetings are helping us a lot to be able to assess our members’ needs. “For the past three months now, we have not been able to meet because our members could not afford the high rate of transportation. "If it can affect some of us that are working to that extent, how much more those that are not doing anything.” He urged the governor to begin the intervention by his administration with the less privileged, vulnerable groups, and persons with disabilities to make the programme more effective.

By Madu Obi The President of Anambra State All Stars Sports Club, Onitsha, Sir Uchenna Okpala-Ezeokoli, has decried the poor state of Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha, calling for its urgent rehabilitation and upgrade to a world-class standard. Speaking after a tournament organized by the Anambra State Football Association in Awka, Ezeokoli lamented that the Onitsha stadium is nothing to write home about. He said: "I want to call on the Anambra State Government to rehabilitate Chuba ikpeazu Stadium to a world-class standard. "We the members of Anambra State All Stars Sports Club Onitsha, comprising of footballers that play in International and local leagues, are the ones maintaining the facility with our own money. We are there ones cutting the grasses in the field. "Onitsha, being one of the biggest commercial cities in West African sub region should have a befitting stadium. "We are appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to help us re-grass and rehabilitate the entire stadium to world-class standard, so as to create an avenue for Anambra youths to thrive and stimulate the economy of the state." Also speaking, the National President Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Mr. Titus Akpudo said Anambra is full of football talents that need to be harnessed. "Football unites the people and I am happy that soon, the Anambra community shield which involves the whole communities in the state, will commence. "The Governor of Anambra State has given the approval and there will never be a dull moment in sports in the state," he said.

By Madu Obi THE Management of the Anambra State Police command, led by the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has decorated 288 Inspectors who were promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP 11 in the state. Adeoye, who performed the ceremony on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said their decoration was sequel to approval by the Police Service Commission, following the recommendation of the IGP. While congratulating them, the CP urged the new ASPs to rededicate themselves to duty and reciprocate the recognition by putting more effort into protecting the citizenry and securing the state. Adeoye thanked the IGP for making welfare of personnel a top priority on his agenda, assuring the people of Anambra State that the command would continue to serve and protect the citizens with integrity. He described the occasion as symbolic as it coincided with his 33rd day in office and as the 33rd Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command. According to him, fate has thrusted the responsibility on him to decorate the newly promoted officers.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Ministry of Justice and the state Police command are to work out ways of decongesting the four Correctional Centers in the state. The plan was made public when the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye visited the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje. Ifemeje said the decongestion exercise would start from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, cells. She said that the state government is already collaborating with the state Controller of the Correctional Center, explaining that she had asked the Controller to work out the holding capacity of each of the four Correctional Centers in the state located in Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia and Nnewi, to guide them. In his speech, CP Adeoye described as a welcome idea, the decision to arraign suspects of capital offences only at the High Courts. He said: "What we are trying to work on is to ensure that suspects accused of such serious offences are not at the receiving end of the jam- parked cells.7 "We are optimistic that working hand- in - hand, the Police and the Ministry of Justice can make speedy arrangement, so that people can enjoy their fundamental human rights because anybody accused of any offence is presumed innocent until convicted." According to him, "We we do not want a situation where innocent people are made to undergo the rigours of imprisonment."

By Madu Obi The Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi has cautioned against military intervention as a solution to the military coup in Nigeria's neighbouring Niger Republic, saying that diplomacy remains the best option. In a statement on his Twitter page on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor observed that although the situation in Niger has received international attention, it has become an urgent national interest and security for Nigeria. According to Obi, all the regional and global stakeholders should prioritize diplomatic dialogue towards resolving the Niger debacle with minimal disruptive impact on Nigeria and the West African sub-region. He said: "Recent developments in the neighbouring Niger Republic have become the subject of international attention. For Nigeria, this development is a matter of dire and urgent national interest and security. "Inevitably, Niger is a hot-button issue for ECOWAS, as well as various international interlocutors. Regardless of the positions taken by various parties that have direct or tangential interests in Niger, priority must be given to dialogue and diplomacy towards a resolution with minimal disruptive impact on Nigeria and the West African sub-region. "Whereas ECOWAS authorities have indicated that they remain open to various conflict resolution options, diplomacy must remain the overarching imperative in resolving the present crisis. "I join the many well-meaning Nigerians who have advocated that any intervention in the crisis, should be pre-eminently through diplomatic dialogue among all strategic interests in the crisis. "It is therefore important that the people of Niger are allowed via their national institutions, the opportunity to revert quickly to a representative democratic government. "All national, regional and international assistance should be extended to the people of Niger to return their country to normalcy." "While ECOWAS must seek to discourage the spread of military dictatorships in West Africa, the recourse to armed deterrence must be restrained by multilateral diplomatic mechanisms." "What the situation in Niger urgently calls for is a concerted multilateral coalition of Nigeria, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN towards a programmed return to a democratic constitutional order. In this process, Nigeria’s leadership role must not be in any doubt." He commended the mediatory efforts of eminent Nigerians, including Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in the Niger crisis. It will be recalled that a group of soldiers led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani ousted the country's democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, in a July 26, 2023, coup. Since then, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu as chairman, have been brainstorming to find a solution to the problem. Already, ECOWAS has activated its standby force for a possible invasion of Niger to stop the military junta.

From Iheanyi Chukwudi Four persons have been killed and property burnt following a communal clash between two villages, Oyofo and Awha in Ezeagu Local Government of Enugu State. The communal clash which occured on Friday and which is said to be as a result of land ownership dispute, left four persons (males) dead, one tricycle and five motorcycles, burnt. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), who confirmed the incident on Sunday, said 12 persons have already been arrested in connection with the clash and murder of the victims. Ndukwe disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the deployment of Police Operatives to the affected villages to restore peace. He said, "The CommissionIer of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, fdc, has ordered the deployment of Police Operatives to Oyofo and Awha villages in Ezeagu Local Government Area, following the communal clash between the villages on 11/08/2023 at about 10am. "The deployment is to maintain the normalcy already restored in the area after the clash, which led to the murder of four males and the burning of one tricycle and five motorcycles. "Twelve male suspects have been arrested in connection with the clash and murder of the victims, while preliminary investigation shows that the clash is a result of land ownership dispute between the villages." The Police image maker promised to communicate further development on the incident.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Two persons including a community leader were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday on Ugwogo-Neke-Ikem road between Enugu East and Isi-Uzo local government areas of Enugu State. The kidnappers who laid siege on the said road allegedly abducted unconfirmed number of people and took them to the bush, with their whereabouts yet unknown. An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the incident happened Friday evening, between 7:30 and 8pm, saying that the kidnappers swooped in on commuters, shot sporadically at oncoming vehicles and killed at least two persons in the process. The eyewitness said: “Chief Cyril Mbah from Neke Odenigbo-Nike was gunned down by suspected kidnappers along Ugwogo/Isi-uzo road, near Neke Odenigbo junction. “He was rushing home with his daughter in his car when he ran into a group of suspected kidnappers who suddenly opened fire on him. Unfortunately he couldn’t survive the gunshots but nothing happened to his daughter. “The kidnappers went further, fired and flattened the tires of another vehicle approaching the scene and successfully whisked away the driver and other occupants of the vehicle. Till now no one is certain where they are.” When contacted, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), promised to verify the story. Kidnapping along this same road, it will be recalled caused commotion in 2000 when a lawyer, a businessman, a Reverend Sister and others from Isi-Uzo LGA were kidnapped after attending the burial of a former House of Assembly member, Late Hon. Chijioke Ugwueze who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

By Madu Obi Nigeria's Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has visited Anambra State and used the occasion to condemn the infamous sit at home in the South East. Exchanging views with his host, Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the Governor's Lodge, the Naval chief decried a situation where those he called 'criminal gangs' parade themselves as people who dictate what happens. Describing the development as an aberration, he observed that the sit at home has the tendency of drawing the South East region backwards. He said that the Naval Outpost in Onitsha, which was established with assistance from the state government, would redouble its efforts to ensure that peace returns in the region. In his speech, Soludo assured that the state government would continue to partner with the Nigerian Navy, as well as support interventions for greater mutual output and safer South East region. He recalled that Ogalla's appointment was greeted with much jubilation in the South East region and commended President Bola Tinubu for the goodwill. While also appreciating the Navy and its formidable collaborations with other security agencies, Soludo said there is increased need for its presence in the state because of the oil theft and bunkering going on at Ogwuikpele in Ogbaru local government area of the state. "It has become existential threat in the South East, but with your strategic appointment, there is this voice, to uproot the criminals and profile them for who they are." "We deserve to have a liveable and prosperous Anambra State", he said. He commended the Navy and other security agencies operating in the state, for their sacrifices.