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By Madu Obi The Anambra State chapter of the South East APC Young Progressives Forum has vowed that its members would monitor every aspect of the distribution of the federal government's palliatives meant for the state very closely to ensure that they reached the targeted population. National coordinator of the group, Comrade Paschal Candle, at a news conference in Awka, said they would also follow the processes leading to the creation of a social register for vulnerable people in Anambra State to ensure its credibility. According to the group, a situation where only members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, or cronies of the state government would populate the social register, would be resisted. Candle said: "Any sharp practices we notice in the course of these activities will be taken up and escalated to the highest level possible for appropriate actions. "The N5 billion for each state provided by the federal government must be used to purchase the items that were agreed upon by the National Economic Council, NEC, in their meeting. "We insist that the government of Anambra State must not divert a single kobo to other ventures, no matter how good it may be. The N5 billion is meant to be used for immediate food palliatives and must be used for such. "We are all aware from the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, that the federal government had already released five trucks of rice to all states and that the N5 billion was approved by Mr. President for disbursement to the states to enable each of them to procure additional 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize and fertiliser to be distributed to the most vulnerable across their various states. "We cannot fathom the reason why Governor Soludo is finding it difficult to announce the arrival of the federal government palliatives to the state and also why it has been pretty difficult to distribute same or constitute a committee that will take charge of the distribution. "Is Governor Soludo waiting for the people of the state to die of hunger before he deems it fit to make the palliatives available to serve its purpose at the right time? "We are therefore calling on the governor, who was present at the NEC meeting and at the press briefing thereafter to, as a matter of urgency, inform the people of Anambra State about the status of the five trucks of rice that were released by the federal government to Anambra State for distribution to vulnerable households. This is for the sake of transparency and accountability. "All genuine stakeholders in the Anambra State project should plead with the governor to release the rice palliatives sent to the state by the federal government for these items to get to the needy on time as the purpose for sending it down is not to be locked up in a hidden warehouse in the state, as they did during Covid-19 era. "The diversion of the rice palliatives by the state government as it is being touted by some concerned discerning minds in the state, would have a debilitating effect on the image of the reigning state government. "Again, if the news spreading like a wild fire across the state that Governor Soludo is trying to play a fast one on the palliatives from Abuja by sharing it to APGA members or supporters of APGA or to allow only APGA members to be in charge as they did during Governor Obiano era, we shall resist it by all legal means. "We have credible information that the state government is planning to write 'SOLUTION IS HERE' on those palliatives. This game plan will fail because they are trying to deceive the people into believing that he is the one providing those palliatives, when in actual fact,it is President Bola Tinubu and APC programme." Candle also demanded that an accurate social register must be created for the disbursement of the $800 million World Bank loan cash transfer to the most vulnerable in the society. "Governor Soludo should set up another implementation committee that will be representative of all important stakeholders, such as traditional rulers, political parties' representatives, the three major religious denominations in the state, as well as the World Bank representatives, who will work hand in hand with the team from Abuja in order to provide a transparent register", he said.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government says it has made adequate preparations towards tackling flood disaster this year if it eventually occurs as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET. The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, who spoke during a training programme for local emergency management committees and some health workers in the ten flood -prone local government areas of the state at Otuocha, said sensitization programme has been carried out in the areas concerned. Odenigbo, who was represented by an administrative officer in the agency, Mrs Rita Omega, recalled that the predictions had shown that there would be flood disaster in thirty two states of the country, including Anambra. He urged the people to be prepared to relocate to higher grounds whenever they were called upon to do so, as adequate arrangements had been made for holding camps for them. Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East local government area, Dr Anselem Onuorah said the council was making adequate arrangements to ensure that lapses observed during last year's flood incident were corrected, especially in the area of hygiene and medical care to the victims in camp. According to him, the local government had concluded plans to engage volunteer health workers who would assist in the provision of services to nursing mothers, pregnant women, as well as children and aged persons. The Assistant Field Coordinator, International Organization For Migration in Anambra State, Mr Hezekiah Samuel said the essence of the training was to provide relevant knowledge needed by committee members to be able to act as first responders during flood outbreaks in their localities. He urged the people to participate in the clearing of blocked drainage channels as it would go a long way in mitigating the envisaged disaster.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday assured the country of his administration's commitment to prioritize the utilisation, processing, and export of Nigeria's vast gas resources. That he said will be a means to drive the restructuring and growth of the nation's economy during his tenure in recognition of the potential of gas as a transition fuel and its importance in catalyzing economic development. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said that the President made the assurance while meeting with the Board and Management of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited at the State House Abuja. The President according to the statement affirmed that all encumbrances to the entrepreneurial progress and development of Nigeria's industrious citizens, as well as any further impediments to business practice in the Oil & Gas sector, specifically, will be swiftly removed to create more opportunities for Nigerian companies and international partners to thrive on the natural and human resource wealth which God had bestowed upon the nation. Tinubu told the NLNG delegation, led by NLNG Board Chairman, His Royal Majesty, King Edmund Daukuru of Nembe Kingdom and the NLNG Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila that, “It is now a collaborative effort in thinking and doing. We will work with all partners to redefine the future of our economy." The President affirmed the position of natural gas as Nigeria’s gateway to sustainable development and prosperity and pledged to build a partnership with investors that will guarantee job opportunities and skill development for Nigerian youths in the overriding best interest of the oil and gas producing environments. He said, “It is all about growing the pie so that Nigerians will benefit...skill development will help the many restive youths who need to be carried along and employed. Their lives need to be more predictable and prosperous." Appreciating the difficulties faced by the NLNG, particularly on security, Tinubu affirmed that stakeholders, including the host communities and security agencies, will play more central roles in the resolution of troublesome points of contention for more peaceful and profitable operations on a sustainable basis. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board told the President that the frustrations faced by non-government stakeholders in operations were being collectively shared with the Government, and that the communities should play a greater role in ameliorating the situation, noting that issues of trust between investors and host communities must be properly handled with an emphasis on end-to-end process inclusivity. The NLNG MD and the delegation congratulated the President for winning the 2023 Presidential elections, and setting the tone early and aggressively with bold and correct, long-term reforms which will transform the Nigerian economy within a short period of time. Mshelbila also said that the company had provided a new standard of efficiency in Nigerian public and private sector partnership that is worthy of emulation. He noted the contribution of more than One Billion U.S. Dollars ($1bn) to new tax revenue generation in 2022, and emphasized that it was achieved despite NLNG operating significantly below capacity, due to regional insecurity, in addition to changing industry tax modifications introduced by successive Finance Act amendments, of which they heartily commended the President's recent action to suspend the impediment-inducing provisions in recent weeks.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The cold hands of death have snatched away Kosisochukwu, the 24-year-old daughter of veteran actor, Nkem Owoh. Kosi, according to the family died on June 28 after allegedly battling liver cancer. The obituary poster released by the family shows that her remains will be buried on Thursday, August 24. It reads, “The family of Nkem Owoh (Osuofiasn) of Umunevo Owonta of Umungwu clan in Amagu village, Udi town, Udi local government, Enugu State regrets to announce the death of our daughter. The deceased will be buried on August 24.”

By Madu Obi AN Anambra orphan, Victoria Mbachu yesterday told an Nnobi Chief Magistrate Court in Idemili South local government area of the state that she and her children have become homeless following the destruction of her father's house by a native doctor, Chijioke Okaa. Okaa and Mbachu's boyfriend, Olufemi Salako, are standing trial for tricking the orphan to sign documents for her land on the pretext that they would pay her N10 million and build a house for her, which they have failed to do. Mbachu, who was testifying under cross examination, said although she earlier sold a small portion of land near her house to the native doctor, he later connived with her boyfriend, Salako, who asked her to sell all the land to Okaa. She said that because of Okaa's failure to pay for the land and build a house for her as promised, she decided to sell her land to Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna, a Nigerian based in the United States of America, USA, who paid her N10 million. She said that as it stands, she has no place to call her home."Okaa destroyed my house in the village and he is building on the land and I now live in the hotel in Awka being paid for by a benefactor, with my children," she said. She told the court that it was never her intention to relocate from Nnobi. Asked if she was aware that Okaa also paid N10 million to her aunt, Mrs. Uchenna Mkpajigide, Mbachu said such a thing never happened. "I'm not aware that he paid my aunt N10m before he knocked down my house before he started building on the land. I'm also not aware that my aunt signed a document for Okaa and I know that my aunt won't do that", she said. She said that her aunt is married and has a son and therefore has no reason to be selling her brother's land.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi A forum of stakeholders has called on the federal government to increase the taxation for Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) as part of efforts to curb its demand and consumption in Nigeria. Nigeria is said to be the largest consumer of SSBs in Africa, a development that has increased the risk of overweight and obesity in children, adolescents, and adults, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, cancer, renal problems and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among its citizens. The forum also urged the government not to succumb to blackmail of profiteers in SSBs, on the demand for increased tax. The stakeholders, made the call at the end of a one-day Regional Stakeholders Forum on SSB Tax in Enugu, convened by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and the National Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax Coalition with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). In attendance are representatives of the Ministries of Health and Environment from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States as well as health experts, civil society organizations and the media, who discussed the need to deepen conversations on improving public health through reduction in the consumption of SSBs and the need for a more sustainable tax regime on SSBs in Nigeria. While commending the federal government for retaining the N10 per litre of SSB tax in the Finance Act 2023, the forum urged it to increase taxation on SSBs towards achieving a 20 per cent increase in the final retail price of targeted sugary drinks as recommended by WHO. “The government of Nigeria must not allow itself to be blackmailed by profiteers who have no regard for the decency of human lives and only care about their returns on investment even if it means the health of Nigerians take a hit,” the stakeholders said. It also recommended among other things, “Adequate and sustained collaboration by government at state and federal levels spearheaded by the Ministry of Health to engender public awareness on the health risks associated with SSB consumption and the benefits of the SSBs tax policy. “That relevant stakeholders, including traditional institution, educational institutions, civil society organizations, the media, and healthcare providers, among others should be actively engaged and recruited into the campaign to address the SSB menace. They should also be at the fore of correcting industry misinformation on SSB tax. Local communities must not be left out of these processes. “More exposure of the media to verifiable sources of information on SSB, SSB taxes and industry activities aimed at thwarting the regulation of their products.” Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, who represented his Commissioner, declared the forum open, stating that it was timely in view of the dangers of SSBs to consumers in every part of the country. Earlier, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi in his welcome address, said that the Enugu forum was the fourth in the series, as similar convergences have held in Lagos representing the South West, Bayelsa in the South South region and Kaduna in the North West of Nigeria. He stressed the need for a robust collaboration between the government and stakeholders to chart an effective policy pathway for public health.

By Madu Obi THE member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Afam Victor Ogene, has decried what he called government's unpreparedness and inaction to tackle the devastating flood ravaging his constituency. Many communities in the local government area have been submerged, while farms have been destroyed and roads washed away. Ogene, who is the chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, said the flood had persisted because of the government's lacklustre approach to addressing the impact on the people. He lamented that in spite of the seasonal climate predictions and annual flood outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which indicated that there would be massive floods around the nation this year, governments at the federal and subnational levels are often caught napping, with dismal preparedness, leaving the hapless flood victims groaning in agony over unfortunate losses. He said: "It is disturbing that the only visible remedial pronouncement by relevant government agencies, so far for the expected 2023 incident, is the warning that residents of flood-prone areas should move to uplands, with no physical plan, structure or logistics to make this pronouncement realistic, in order to avert the kind of horrendous rate of fatalities and destruction of property and economic activities in the projected 28 flood-prone states across the nation. "The recurring flooding of Ogbaru has severely damaged the Onitsha-Atani-Ossomala-Ogwuikpele-Ndoni Road, which is the only road that connects the 15 communities in Ogbaru local government area/Federal Constituency of Anambra state to the rest of the state; and a shorter route to Rivers State from Anambra. "It has also destroyed the economy of the area in multi dimensional ways, even when Ogbaru has not recovered from the devastating impact of the 2022 flooding. "The people in Ogbaru local government area/Federal Constituency, are predominantly farmers who currently experience grave difficulties in transporting their produce to the market, or for other social activities, thereby hurting the economy and social lives of the people, and also impacting adversely on their usual contribution to the nation's food security, as a result of the deplorable condition of the road, damaged by flooding. "For instance, one of the business concerns impacted by the current flood incident is a multi-billion-naira automated farm, Matucci Farms Limited located at Agbobo Umuoga Ossomala community, belonging to Sir (Dr) Patrick Sule Ugboma, who disclosed that the farm suffered a huge setback in its resuscitation efforts. "In 2012, the farm lost about 25,000 poultry birds to flood in the area, while properties worth several millions of naira were also destroyed. "This particular investment, like many others, has now been forced to shut down, leading to loss of over 400 jobs of the employees, who are mostly youths from the state. The flood has also sadly destroyed schools, houses and property, leaving on its trail, sorrow and despondency." He called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), to urgently come to the rescue of flood victims in Ogbaru, by providing required facilities and materials that would ensure an easy and seamless management of impact of the severe flooding in the local government, in order to avert the high rate of fatalities and adverse level of human conditions witnessed last year in the area.

By Madu Obi As part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's efforts to upgrade road infrastructure in Anambra State, four road contracts expected to gulp over N4 billion have been awarded by the state government. The projects were approved by the State Executive Council on Thursday. A statement by government said the state EXCO approved the release of the sum of N118,815,005.96, inclusive of preliminaries, contingencies, and 7.5% VAT of N8,911,125.45 for the construction of Premier Road, Onitsha, which was awarded to Alitho Nig. Ltd. According to the statement, the date of completion of the project is four weeks from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee. ANSEC also approved the release of N1,850,000,000.00, being the revised estimated total cost for the construction of Ukwuorji Awka - Umuenechi Village – Ifite Nibo – Isiagu Road, with a 2.1km spur to Zik Avenue, in the heart of the state capital. The contract was awarded to J. Quarison Int’l Ltd with a completion period of five (dry weather) months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee. The reconstruction of Port Harcourt Street, Onitsha was equally approved by the council at the sum of N1,800,000,000.00 and the contract was awarded to FEROTEX Construction Company with a completion period of five months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee. Similarly, Miss Elems Road, Onitsha was awarded at the sum of N430,381,386.39 and the contract was awarded to Mashuchun International Ltd with a completion period of three months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee.

By Madu Obi The National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Chief Titus Akpudo has said that five Presidents-General of communities in the state were killed at different times in the state in the last few years. The affected communities are Nimo (Njikoka LGA), Omor( Ayamelum LGA), Orom Etiti( Anambra West( LGA), Nanka (Orumba North LGA) and Obosi (Idemili North LGA). Akpudo, who spoke in Awka lamented that PGs had become endangered species, adding that ASATU would no longer watch while its members were being murdered in cold blood. He said that as PGs and leaders of their communities, their only concern is to serve the people well and wondered why they should lose their lives while doing so. On the rift between the PGs and their traditional rulers in some communities, Akpudo expressed delight that the issue had reduced considerably following an arrangement that provides for periodic meetings between them. He said: "Before now, the relationship between the PGs and their Igwes was very bad, but in recent time, it has become cordial. We now hold joint meetings with the Igwes, which was championed by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe. "The idea is to find ways of resolving issues internally. Misunderstanding between people usually occurs, but what matters is the ability to resolve it amicably and somebody must shift from his position for peace to reign." According to him, various issues caused such rift and they differed from one community to the other. He added: "What might cause a problem could be the process used in selecting the PG or the Igwe. In some cases, the PG or the Igwe might have his favoured candidate and if the candidate of another wins eventually, the relationship might not be cordial. "I always advise our members that our job is not permanent, while that of the Igwe is for life. On the Ifitedunu incident, where the PG was attacked and injured in the public, the ASATU president called on relevant authorities who had been petitioned over the incident, to expedite actions on investigation and punish those found culpable, to serve as a deterrent to others. ”Ifitedunu PG is our member and it is our duty to protect him. PGs need to do their job without fear of molestation. We have had experience were PGs were killed, beaten and molested in many communities. “The Ifitedunu PG was beaten publicly. He is a family man; how will his children and wife feel watching the video of where their breadwinner is being beaten in the market square? "If nothing is done about this, people will be reluctant to offer leadership to their communities." The ASATU National President commended the achievements of the Commissioner for Local Government, Hon Collins Nwabunwanne for restoring calm in most communities.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The Federal Government has doled out N180 billion to the 36 states of the federation. Each off the states received the sum of N5 billion from the money made to mitigate the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy. Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents with his colleagues, on the outcomes of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday. The NEC is made up of 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other coopted Government officials.

By Madu Obi Serious tension is mounting in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State as a prominent indigene of the area, Chief Vincent Udobi and the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Hon Collins Nwabunwanne, are trading words over who should occupy the office of the President General of the community. Following the development, which is already adversely affecting economic and social activities in the area, Udobi has asked the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to sack the Commissioner, who he described as a virus in his administration. The problem in the area was traceable to the reinstatement of the President General of the community, Chief Uchenna Nwoye by the state government, a situation Udobi and some people in the area objected to because, according to them, Nwoye was convicted by the court and, therefore, is no longer fit to be the PG in line with the constitution of the town. Addressing reporters at Ifitedunu yesterday, Udobi warned the governor that the Commissioner, if allowed to continue in office, his in the next governorship election would be uncertain. He accused the Commissioner of fomenting troubles in virtually every community in the state and refusing to let the governor know the true situation of things. According to him, the Ifitedunu PG, Nwoye, had since been impeached by the community, alleging that constitutionally, he is no longer qualified to hold any public office. He said: "Ifitedunu was a peaceful town before Uchenna Nwoye was elected our PG. The election that brought him was not well conducted, which was why some people went to court. "His tenure has brought disunity in Ifitedunu. Some people have been killed and some injured. When the Commissioner came here, I asked him to remove Nwoye for peace to reign, but he insisted that the man must stay. "Our people were very angry at the decision and it was his reinstatement that brought over 70% of the problems we are having in Ifitedunu. "Can you imagine that the Commissioner suspended councillors from Dunukofia because they visited me? The position he is occupying is not for inexperienced person and I want to tell the governor that the Commissioner is causing a lot of problems for him in many communities. "He doesn't obey court order; he is the Judge, the CP, the AIG, the IGP. I am therefore begging Soludo to save Anambra State from Nwabunwanne's bondage in Ifitedunu. “The decision to impeach Nwoye as the PG of the community was reached by the entire town and chairmen of five villages namely, Obiezie, Ugbomili ,Akwa, Umualugo and Uguala, after several attempts to draw the Commissioner’s attention to the fact that Nwoye is an ex-convict.” But reacting to the allegations, the Commissioner lamented that the problem in the community is that one man wants to lord it over everybody and decide who would be the PG. He said: "As a government, we believe in public interest. When we came on board, almost all communities in the state operated caretaker committees, which was retarding development of the rural communities. "Some people assumed Lords in their communities and positioned themselves to be kingmakers. What we did was to start reconciling the feuding groups and we were able to create conducive atmosphere that enabled people to select their leaders in line with their constitutions. "In the case of Ifitedunu, the problem was that one man tried to decide who should be their PG. The constitution of Ifitedunu provides that at least two-thirds of the general assembly will vote out an officer based on the offence he committed. But rather than do that, they removed Nwoye and appointed a PG without following the due process. " They did not even inform government and we had to call for the constitution of the town and saw that it provided that any officer may be removed before the expiration of his tenure on ground of incompetence, breach of the constitution and conduct unbecoming of the officer, provided that the move is supported by two-thirds of the town union members present in a well constituted meeting. Government has no personal interest in the Ifitedunu matter. What matters to us is whether due process was followed in removing the PG. "From what is on ground, Nwoye remains the PG until due process is followed to remove him".

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The founder of Agape Evangelical Ministries (City of Miracles), Obikabia Junction, near Aba, Abia State, Bishop Otu Timothy, has been arrested by the Police in the State over the death of a female Evangelist he lodged in a guest house with. The deceased, simply identified as “Evangelist Happiness,” was said to be married with five children. She was said to have died in one of the rooms at ‘Jubilee Guest House’ Ovom, in the Ogborhill area of Aba, where she lodged with Bishop Otu. Management of the Guest House, disclosed that the incident happened about 11pm on Saturday, August 12, 2023, when the Bishop was said to have pretentiously fled the place after telling the receptionist on duty that he was going to buy some food outside the guest house. Suspecting that something was awry with his departure when he didn’t return, the manager of the guest house invited police from the Eastern Ngwa Police Station in Obingwa LGA, at 1am on Sunday morning, and upon their arrival, the victim was found naked and foaming in her mouth and nose. It was further revealed that the late evangelist who hails from Umuakatawom in Obingwa LGA was a member of the Agape Evangelical Ministries Inc, founded by the said bishop. Information gleaned from text messages the duo exchanged over time suggests they were in a romantic affair hence the suspicion that the woman may have died during a sex bout with the cleric. However, the fleeing cleric was later apprehended at his church, located at the Obikabia Junction, when undercover detectives traced and attended in plain clothes, his Sunday Service during which he was said to have centred his preaching on repentance. Bishop Otu at present being detained at the Eastern Ngwa Police Station in Obingwa LGA, where the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, the victim’s husband who could not be identified as at press time, was said to be out of the state, in Bayelsa State, where he works. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abịa State Police Command, Maureen Chinaka, (ASP) said she was yet to have the details of the incident.