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By Madu Obi Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has advised Nigerian youths to shun drug abuse and trafficking as it is capable of destroying their future. Speaking during this year's International Youth Day celebration at the Awka Township Stadium, the governor described drug abuse as a major health hazard that retards human development. Soludo, who did a 6.5 km Walk and Run for Life with his wife and the convener of Healthy Living Campaign, Mrs. Nonye Soludo during the ceremony, observed that the increasing addiction to hard drugs, especially methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth, glass and ice or Mkpurummiri in local parlance, by youths in Anambra, has reached a worrisome stage. "Youths should say no to drug abuse for the sake of a healthy living and a safe society. We need our youths to be sane and hardworking. Our people (Igbo) are known for hardworking, integrity and for industrialisation. "Our youths are our today and tomorrow. My administration will continue to give total support to the youths in all self-reliance programmes in the state," he said. The governor promised to mainstream what he called 'Sports Economy' into his administration's agenda, adding that the aim is to revive all sporting activities in the state. The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, who also spoke, said the state government would continue to champion massive youth empowerment, as well as job and wealth creation, to accelerate economic growth and development in the state through "One Youth Two Skills” programme, which is aimed at proffering solutions to youth restiveness and crimes. The annual International Youth Day, is a United Nations initiative that draws attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youths, as well as celebrates their potentials as partners in today’s global society.

By Madu Obi The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has said that using Nigerian made vehicles by its leaders shows love for the country. President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, specifically commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for using Innoson vehicles as government's official cars. According to Ibem, the policy shows that the governor loves his country and desires the growth and development of the nation. He said: "Governor Otti's policy of using indigenous vehicles will create employment for our teeming youths; it will restore our pride of place in the comity of nations and help move the country from a consumption to a productive country. "It will also restore the confidence of Nigerian citizens in the government and improve her balance of trade and balance of payment. The Abia governor's policy has proved beyond every reasonable doubt that he came prepared to improve the lot of Abians and the nation at large. "Innoson vehicles are among the best brands in the world and are being used by the central and state governments of many nations." "They are durable and have never failed to satisfy the aims and expectations of those using them." Ibem urged members of the Abia State House of Assembly who, he said, allegedly rejected the use of Innoson vehicles as their official vehicles to understand that using vehicles manufactured by their own, confirms that they came to serve the people and not to represent themselves. The coalition also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the state governors in the country to key into the policy of using indigenous vehicles in their various states in other to reduce the debt profile of the nation brought about by unfavorable balance of trade and balance of payments which have reduced the growth and development of the nation. Nigeria can only rise from her present economic woes when we learn how to use what we produce in Nigeria by ourselves," he added.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has announced the ban on the advertisement of herbal medicine across the state. Commissioner for Information, Mr. Paul Nwosu said in Awka that government had directed that all advertisements for herbal drugs must be approved by the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Herbal Medicine and Pharmceuticals before they could be displayed in any public space or media platforms. It was, however, not clear if those who hawk various types of concoctions, especially on the streets and at the motor parks, are included in the ban. Herbal medicine practitioners have become ubiquitous in Anambra and other states in the South East because of the high cost of orthodox medicine as they target the poor people with sweet tongue adverts. They also have unlimited access to radio stations where they speak and use jingles to attract customers. Many of them, in collaboration with even government officials, organize herbal exhibitions in many cities as revenue yielding venture and move from one market to the other with products they claim could cure many ailments. It is also common to find them in rented shops where they mount loudspeakers that cause noise pollution. Some people who spoke on the issue welcomed the ban, stating that the herbal medicine practitioners have caused so much harm in the society. A pharmacist, Francis Amadike lamented that in spite of warnings by medical practitioners, many people, out of ignorance, still patronize the herbal vendors. According to him, the active ingredients in these herbs are often not determined, which is why they cause health complications to those who patronize them. He said that over the years, there had been attempts to scrutinize these products with a view to making them part of the health care system, but the practitioners resisted such moves. Amadike commended the Anambra State government for taking the bold step of banning the advertisement of herbal medicine, adding that it would help to save the gullible members of the society who are easily enticed by the words of the practitioners. Another respondent, Mrs Martina Nwokolo, however, argued that many people have more confidence in the herbal medicine because of the circulation of so many fake drugs in the country. She said that the only problem of the herbal medicine is knowing the quantity to take.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed disappointment with the marginalisation of Igbo by President Bola Tinubu in the appointment of his ministers. Out of the 48 nominated by President Tinubu and cleared Senate for Ministerial portfolios, only five is from the South East region while other regions have as much as 10. President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in a statement issued on Thursday, described t he e development as unfair and unjust. Iwuanyanwu who stressed that Ndigbo believe in one united Nigeria, maintained that “this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of fairness, justice and equity. We therefore demand justice, fairness and equity for every ethnic group in Nigeria including the Igbo. “Recall that the states and geopolitical zones were created by the military administrations. All honest Nigerians know that the Igbo did not play much part during this exercise. As a result, the South East was shortchanged with five (5) states while other zones have minimum of six (6) states. This situation has placed the South East in a very difficult position, politically, economically, and socially. "Our political power has been reduced as we have a few Senators and also in the House of Representatives; Governors, House of Assembly and Local Governments. In federal revenue allocation, the South East is denied the revenue that comes on the basis of states. In federal board appointments and other resource distributions, "we are strategically short-changed.” The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation boss noted that the imbalance wasn’t created by the current administration but urged the Tinubu-led government to correct the anomaly. He said, “We wish to observe that this situation was not caused by the current administration but we however appeal to His Excellency, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to help us remedy the situation and restore justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria. “We pray the Almighty to bless and prosper our country, Nigeria and give our leaders the wisdom and knowledge to steer the ship of Nigerian nation to peace, happiness and prosperity for all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, creed and political persuasion.”

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The 20 Commissioners inaugurated on Thursday by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State were on Friday assigned portfolios by the Governor. The Commissioners and members of the State Executives Council (EXCO), were given their posts at their inaugural EXCO meeting on Friday. Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia announced the Commissioner's portfolios to newsmen shortly after the inaugural exco meeting. According to him, Professor Ndubueze Mbah is the Commissioner for Education; Mrs. Ngozi Eni, Gender Affairs and Social Development; Prince Lawrence Eze (Prince of Mburumbu), Lands and Urban Development; Professor Sam Ugwu, Environment and Climate; Pharmacist Chika Ugwoke, Labour and Employment and Dr. Kingsley Ude, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Prof. Emmanuel I. Obi, Health; Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ben Ugochi Madueke, Tourism and Culture; Barr. Lloyd I. Ekweremadu, Youths and Sports; Engr. Gerrald Otiji, Works and Infrastructure; Nathaniel Urama, Finance and Economic Development and Dr. Malachy Agbo, Human Development and Poverty Eradication. Others are Mr. Aka Eze Aka, Information; Adaora Chukwu, Trade Investment and industry; Dr. Martin Chinweike, Housing; Obi Ozor, Transport; Ajogwu Sunday Emeka, Special Duties; Dr. Felix Nnamani, Water Resources and Patrick Nwabueze Uburu, Agriculture and Agro-industrialization. The names of the 20 Commissioner's were submitted to the Enugu State House of Assembly in two batches of 15 and five by the Governor who requested for a expeditious consideration. The State Assembly led by Hon. Uche Ugwu complied and expeditiously screened and confirmed them, giving room for their inauguration on Thursday and assignment of portfolios on Friday.

By Madu Obi AN Nnobi Chief Magistrate Court in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State yesterday heard a pathetic story of an orphan, Miss Victoria Mbachu of how her boyfriend, Mr. Olufemi Salako, from Republic of Benin, allegedly duped her of N8.3 million out of N10 million proceed from a property she sold in Nnobi. Salako, a bricklayer, has been cohabiting with Mbachu since 2018 and they have two children together. The landed property was sold to a Nigerian based in the United States of America, USA, Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna in 2021, but shortly after the sale, Salako took Mbachu to Ogun State where he convinced her to pay for an uncompleted bungalow at a cost of N2.8 million. Salako and one Chijioke Okaa, a native doctor, are facing two count charge for defrauding Mbachu of her property by tricking her to pat with the documents after promising that they would build a house for her. Narrating her story amidst sobs, Mbachu said: "In 2020, Femi brought Chijioke Okaa to me that Okaa wanted to buy my land." "We agreed to sell the land for N10 million and Okaa promised to build a house for me somewhere." Femi and Okaa later brought documents for me to sign and I refused to do so because he had not fulfilled the promise of building a house for me. " It was Femi that assured me that Okaa would not deceive me and that was why I later signed. However, he did not pay for the land, neither did he build the house for me, as he kept telling me that he had not found land. "So when someone brought Bonaventure Ezekwenna for the purchase of the land, I sold it to him at the cost of N10 million and he paid me in full and I signed the documents for him." According to Mbachu, Femi was aware of the transaction and he also signed the documents. She said she was, however, surprised when Femi suggested that they should run away from Nnobi to Lagos, adding that although she told him that he did not want to go, as she was already making plans to relocate to Nnewi, he prevailed on her to go to with him. She added: "Femi insisted that we must leave Nnobi and he brought a vehicle and forced me and the children to go with him." "When we got to Lagos, he said he found land at Ota, Ogun State and asked me to pay N2.8 million for the land and the uncompleted bungalow on it." "He later asked for N4 million to enable him complete the house and I transferred the money to him. Apart from when he took me to the place when we arrived in Lagos, Femi had refused to take me to the house. " Because he has access to my ATM card, he later withdrew another N1 million and another N500,000 which he said he wanted to give his father to do some work on the house." "When I insisted on seeing the house, he took me to the place and I saw that they only roofed it. Also when I demanded for the documents of the house, he asked me if I was going to cook with it and that was when I began to doubt if he actually bought the house." "Another thing that surprised me was that when we discovered that the police was tracking me, Femi suggested that we should escape to Benin Republic because, according to him that is actually his country, and I refused. "He told me he is not from Ogun State, but from Benin Republic," Mbachu said. Earlier under cross examination, Bonaventure Ezekwenna had told the court that before he paid, he involved Salako who assured him that the land was not in dispute. He said he was surprised to see that the materials he assembled at the site for construction, including cement, iron rods, sand and other building materials, were either destroyed, or stolen. He said that information made available to the police showed Salako's neck deep involvement in the decision of Mbachu to run away from Nnobi to Lagos after collecting the N10 million. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Ken Nwoye adjourned further hearing to August 18.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi No fewer than three persons have been killed in raid of alleged IPOB/ESN camp at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government by operatives of Enugu State Police Command on Thursday. Police said the criminal elements in the camp engaged it's operatives in a gun duel and in the process three were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The operatives the Command said also recovered firearms, ammunition, and other incriminating exhibits from the camp. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), who gave details of the security operation said, "A combined team of Police Special Forces and Operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division of Enugu State Command, in the morning hours of today, 10/08/2023, raided an IPOB/ESN camp, at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area (L.G.A.) and were engaged in a gun duel by the subversive criminal elements. However, three (3) of the hoodlums were neutralized in the ensuing gunfight, while many others escaped with varying degrees of severe gunshot wounds. "Four (4) Pump Action guns, one (1) locally fabricated revolver gun and pistol each, sixty-seven (67) live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, fabrics of IPOB insignia, objects suspected to be amulets and other incriminating exhibits were "Preliminary investigation reveals that the criminal elements were responsible for the shooting and killing of two Neighbourhood Watch Group security personnel on 21/07/2023 at about 1am, at Umuagama in Enugu-Ezike community of Igbo-Eze North L.G.A., and had also made several attempts to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in some parts of the L.G.A." Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Ahmed Ammani, has commended the Operatives for the successful operation and solicited citizens' continued support. He disclosed that while reaffirming the Police's unwavering commitment to weed out unrepentant criminals in the State, CP Ammani lauded the Operatives for successfully executing the operation, tasking them and others to remain firm, resilient and maintain the tempo. "The CP further solicits the continued support of citizens of the State, while urging residents of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area and owners of medical facilities in particular, to promptly report individuals sighted with gunshot wounds to the nearest Police Station. Or by calling the Command's emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075380883, 08086671202 or 08098880172, or send emails to infoenugupolice@gmail.com," he said.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been absolved of being responsible for the insecurity in the South East, by the Governors of the region. This is as the Governors declared their readiness to partner with the federal government to deal with insecurity in the South East. Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who was answering questions from newsmen after reading the communique of the Forum's meeting on Thursday at the Lion Building Enugu State Government House, Enugu, asked whoever has evidence tolink Kanu the insecurity in region, to approach the Forum with it. Uzodimma who was asked what the forum was doing to see that Kanu who is seen as the reason for the tension in the region is released to douse the tension, said, "I don't know how you want to relate the name Nnamdi Kanu to the kidnappings, the beheading of human beings, the burning down of homes, and the palaces of traditional rulers to Nnamdi Kanu. But if you have any evidence please you may wish to approach us after this session." Asked if there is any collective plan to bring back Simon Ekpa and to relaunch Ebubeagu in region, the forum's chairman said it was the detailed programme of Forum in conjunction with the federal government to tackle insecurity in the South East. He said, "Well that has to do with the details of the programme of the Forum of Governors working in partnership with federal government to deal with insecurity in the region, when the details are out we will let you know." Meanwhile, the four-point communique reads, "The Forum firmly resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region individually and collectively, in partnership with the Federal Government and other Stakeholders. "We commend the security agencies for their cooperation thus far and encourage them not to relent." "We wish to state categorically that the perpetrators of the insecurity in our region and their sponsors are criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators. Therefore, upon arrest, they should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land." "The Forum resolved to hold the security and economic summit on a date to be announced soon." The meeting was attended by all the five governors: Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Imo State (Chairman); Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State; Dr. Alex Otti, Abia State; Hon. Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi State and Dr. Peter Mbah, Enugu State (Host). Also at the meeting is the new Director General of South East Governors' Forum, Sen. Uche Ekwunife.

By Madu Obi The Anambra girl, Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere Umeh, who scored 360 in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, which was the highest in the country, has again achieved another feat by scoring 8As and 1B in the just released West African School Certificate, WASC, examination. Umeh, who studied at Deeper Life High School, Ota, Ogun State, has therefore shown that her JAMB score was not a fluke. Her father, Mr. Umeh, who gave her daughter's WAEC results said she made A1 in Economics, Civic Education, English Language, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Dyeing and Bleaching and Computer Science and B2 in Physics. Although Kamsiyochukwu applied to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos, the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo also awarded her a scholarship to study any course of her choice at the state-owned Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University.

By Madu Obi Following the threat of gully erosion that is almost cutting off the access road to the Union School, Amawbia, Awka South local government area, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Celine Ozomma has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to their rescue. The principal, who spoke at Amawbia on Thursday, lamented that the erosion menace and the deteriorating access road to the area had made it difficult for teachers to live within the vicinity of the school. She argued that control of the erosion and rehabilitation of the road would also open up the area and provide access to property developers in the area. "The residents, as well as the staff and students of this school, encounter so much difficulty as tricycle operators do not ply the dilapidated road." "The rehabilitation of the road will ease the suffocating traffic congestion on the ever busy Amawbia - Government House junction - Agulu road," she said. She observed that houses of many inhabitants of the area, including that of the deputy speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Pius Chukwuma, are being threatened by the erosion. While commending the governor for the massive road projects in all parts of the state, Ozomma appealed for the rehabilitation of the Umuokpu Awka - Nise - Agulu - Ekwulobia road to open up the area. Ozomma also thanked the governor for employing 5000 teachers which, she added, led to the posting of additional nine teachers to her school.

By Madu Obi Awka- The coordinator in charge of breastfeeding in Anambra State, Mrs. Ngozi Okoye has told nursing mothers that exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, is a form of family planning, as they would hardly become pregnant within the period. Speaking during an advocacy programme at Mgbakwu Primary Health Center in Awka North local government area of the state, Okoye also told them that exclusive breastfeeding prevents ovarian cancer, explaining that most women who suffer from cancer were those who failed to do exclusive breastfeeding. The advocacy programme was put together by the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, APHCDA, and the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF. The campaign, which is also for Zero Water for babies zero to six months, took the health officials to markets and rural communities of the state. According to Okoye, with exclusive breastfeeding, a nursing mother does not require any other form of family planning. She also said that babies who enjoy exclusive breastfeeding hardly fall sick for the first six months of their birth. She said: "We mothers abandoned exclusive breastfeeding because we care more about our shape and that is why our children are having problems." "Many women erroneously believe that breastfeeding would result to the sagging of their breasts and therefore prefer to feed their babies with various formulas to exhibit status symbol." "Most of the delinquencies among youths of today are traceable to the failure of their mothers breastfeed them adequately." "Breast milk touches the brain and enhances proper upbringing. The cow milk which many women prefer makes children behave like cows. "Even as we are interacting, you can easily remember some children in your neighborhoods whose mothers, out of carelessness, did not breastfeed their babies." She added that what the breastfeeding mother requires is to eat well and the baby would be okay. Also speaking in one of the markets, the Anambra State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Uzomaka Eriken said that after six months of life, breastfeeding could be complemented with safe and appropriate nutritious soft foods. "The baby needs to start eating complementary foods after six months of exclusive breastfeeding", she said, adding however that because of the importance of breast milk, the baby should continue to be fed with it along with the complimentary nutritious, rich and hygienic foods. The Officer in Charge of PHC, Mgbakwu, Mrs. Virginia Nduka expressed delight that more women were beginning to embrace exclusive breastfeeding. She said that on the average, 60 percent of the nursing mothers in the area now practise exclusive breastfeeding following various advocacy programmes. "Many families in this area have understood that instead of buying children's milk, the money should be used to buy enough food to enable the nursing mother eat well so that the baby enjoys exclusive breastfeeding", she said. She added that the additional effort the woman requires to make is to observe routine immunization of the baby.

By Madu Obi THE national coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Media Warriors Forum, Mr. Chinedu Obigwe has advised touts still operating in parts of Anambra State to embrace Governor Chukwuma Soludo's empowerment programme to avoid running foul of the law. Obigwe was reacting to the call by shuttle bus drivers on Soludo to ban touts whose action allegedly led to the unfortunate loss of one of their member. He observed that what the shuttle bus drivers were asking for was what Soludo did on assumption of office, recalling that he categorically stated that "touting is not work" and that those into it should embrace his administration's empowerment initiatives to better their lives. He said: "When the touts thought that the governor was joking and disobeyed his directives, he hit them so hard without mercy. "The issue of 'agbero' is not being handled with kid gloves in Anambra State as the enforcement unit of the Board of Internal Revenue Service, AIRS, has sent so many of them to prison and they are still going after others." "Any unauthorized revenue taskforce agent seen on the street of Anambra State is a criminal and is being treated as such." "There is a big difference between government authorized revenue taskforce agents and agberos. The authorized revenue taskforce agents behave well, unlike the criminals impersonating them." "Governor Soludo is waging a successful war against the touts and the people should join him in doing this by providing information on how to apprehend more of them so that they will face justice." "If you go to the Correctional Centers in Anambra, you will see many agbero's serving their punishment there." "So, it is wrong for anybody to call on Governor Soludo for a total ban of their activities when he has done that already and dealing decisively with the recalcitrant ones among them." "One thing with Governor Soludo is that he is a man that walks his talk and ndi Anambra should continue supporting him for the completion of the numerous good works he is doing in our state." He commiserated with the shuttle bus drivers on the death of their member, Vincent Chukwujekwu, and advised his colleagues to alert security agents to apprehend and pay the offenders for their heinous crime