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Iheanyi Chukwudi The Clerk of Enugu State House of Assembly/Head of Legislative Service, Dr. Emma Udaya has said that the 8th Enugu State House of Assembly members-elect will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13. Dr. Udaya in a statement said the inauguration will hold in the hallowed chamber of the State Assembly complex, Independence Layout at 10am. The Clerk in the announcement directed the members-elect to come with their Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) certificate of return and assets declaration slip for verification. “Every member-elect is expected to bring the originals of his/her certificate of return from INEC and Code of Conduct Acknowledgement slip of Assets declaration to the Clerk of the House for sighting and verification. “All members-elect are advised to be seated on their respective Constituency seats in the hallowed chamber of the House at 9.30am as punctuality is an invaluable decorum of the honourable House," his statement reads. The announcement for the inauguration came few days after reports went viral that the state government was plotting to secretly inaugurate the 10 PDP members-elect without the Labour Party 14 majority. Meanwhile, Tuesday's event has been tipped to be an exciting as the main opposition party in the state, Labour Party has 14 out the 24 members-elect, leaving the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 10. Equally interesting is that the PDP, though in minority has the ranking lawmakers-elect, a development some are arguing might give its members-elect backing to produce the Speaker of the House.

Iheanyi Chukwudi One of the contestants for the traditional ruler stool of Akama-Oghe community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief Christian Akpata, has narrowly escaped assassination. Akpata who called on security agencies in the state to investigate the attempts on his life, said the assassination attempts, happened twice and he narrowly escaped death but not without gunshot injuries and destruction of one his cars, a Lexus Jeep which was riddled with bullets. Chief Akpata told newsmen at the weekend that his life and that of members off his family were under serious threat and thanked God for saving them from the bullets of the hired killers. According to him the first attack happened on May 9, when some men operating in a tricycle and Camry car trailed him from his house to Enugu Timber Market, where they attacked him. Narrating his ordeal he said, "My life is under threat. I have escaped two assassination attempts in less than one month. They attacked me on May 9 and returned back here in my house on June 8. "They were with Keke and Camry. I went to the Timber Market to buy materials for my son, who is building his house in Enugu here. He and another person was with us in my Lexus Rx 330 car. As I drove out, I noticed that a Camry car with tinted windows was parked in the street here with its headlamps fully on. I thought it belonged to my neighbours' visitors. "But, immediately I drove out, the car followed me behind. When the movement became constant, I manouvered and followed another route. But after buying what we came to buy, I tried to drive out but noticed that a tricycle had blocked my path. "It was then that one of the occupants of the tricycle emerged and started shooting directly at me. I did everything to dodge the nuzzle from getting to my head and he managed to shatter my shoulder. "As God would have it, I managed to push the tricycle out and sped away. But that particular Camry attempted to block me in front with one of the occupants bringing out AK 47 rifle to shoot me. But the speed with which I hit the door of their car helped me to escape. "I drove straight to the hospital where surgeries were done to remove the bullets. I thank God for saving my life. "But, almost one month after, they returned to my street again. This time around with Keke and as I came out from the gate one of them pointed at me and said 'that's him'. "I'm not afraid of death but all I know is what is right must be done. If God hasn't approved my death, nobody can kill me. This is not the first time. Sometimes, when I go to occasion, I notice some people trailing me. "So, I'm saying all these to tell security agencies in Enugu State that my life is in danger. I haven't offended anyone in any way. The only thing I know I have done is that I am in court with some people over the Igweship seat of my town Akama-oghe, which some interests don't want me to occupy after I was elected." He praised the Commissioner of Police, Enugu state, Ahmed Ammani for coming to his assistance in the course of the incidence.

Uche Nnaji inaugurating new APC Secretariat in Enugu, flanked by Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu by his right and Ada Ogbu, Ugochukwu Agballah by his left.

Iheanyi Chukwudi The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East has expressed optimism that what happened in Imo state that gave the party the governance of the State three years ago would repeat itself in Enugu state before the year ends. Enugu State Chairman of the party, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah who disclosed this in Enugu during the opening of the new State Secretariat complex of APC, stated that like it happened in Imo where the party came from fourth position to become the first, same would happen in Enugu and Uche Nnaji will come from his present fourth position and emerge the first and eventually takeover power at the Lion Building. Agballah who was addressing the party faithful during their June Stakeholders meeting shortly after the unveiling of the new state secretariat, said the party in the state was currently weeding the moles in their midst to ensure they will not be part of their victory train that will go with Chief Uche Nnaji, the party governorship candidate, to take over governance of the state soon at the Lion Building, Enugu.” He said, “Last election was an unfortunate period for our party, we were victims of a false propaganda, we were victims of organized lies, we were victims of calculated falsehood. They labeled us a Muslim party, they labeled us an anti-Igbo party. They lied against our party but the truth is, if we are Islamic party some of us will not be here. If we are Islamic party, how come our party is the only party in the whole Nigeria that returned a Catholic Priest in the person of Rev. Fr. Dr. Alia who is today the Governor of Benue State? “In Enugu state, we went to election with the priests of the religious organizations, they did to us what was done to the son of man in Matthew 27:22, where the priests chose a criminal in place of the son of man. “The worst force that we fought against, the stab that pained us most was the moles in our party, those who were members of our party as stakeholders, even some of our candidates that we gave nominations, who were busy campaigning for Labour Party, campaigning for candidates of PDP. That is why the first business of our party after the election was the suspension and expulsion of certain moles who campaigned against our party; those who APC in Abuja and PDP in Enugu and those who were APC in Abuja and Labour party members in Enugu.” He charged the local government and ward executives to also weed their areas of the moles in the APC, “so that we know how many of us that will go with Chief Uche Nnaji before the end of this year into government house to form the government of Enugu state. Because that stone rejected by the builders will be the head of the corner. Have you not heard it that a virgin will be with a child? They say how can number four be number one? “I am confident that God will fulfill His promise and my eyes will see the salvation of the people of Enugu state. Salvation from the cabal that had held us captive for 24 years, … we can never bow to people who did not win election because validity is a sina quo of electoral process. So if you are not validly nominated, you cannot be the governor of Enugu State. “We’ve gone to court questioning the validity of all the three parties in Enugu state and I can assure you as lawyer that the law will have its way. I can assure you that a man who lied under oath cannot be Governor. I can assure you that what happened in Bayelsa will happen in Enugu. I can assure you that what happen in Imo state, they say to me what happened in Imo will not happen in Enugu, I say what happened in Imo will happen in Enugu. Uche Nnaji will be the governor of Enugu state.” The leader of the party in the state and its governorship candidate in the just concluded general election, Chief Nnaji corroborating him assured the people that he will recover his mandate and take over governance. He said, “We are standing on a very solid foundation because whoever Hope U

Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Tinubu this evening suspended the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, from office with immediate effect. A statement issued by Director of Information in the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, said that Emefiele's suspension is sequel to an ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy. The statement said the suspended CBN boss was directed to hand to the Deputy Governor, (Operations Directorate). “Mr Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms,” the statement further said.

Enugu City residents today defied the order of the state government banning the observation of the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB. The sit-at-home order came to stay as a civil disobedience action following the abduction and rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. The order has since the said rendition been observed throughout the five Eastern states preferably referred to as Biafra. Residents kept indoors for fear of a repeat of the Anambra state experience where attempt by the state government to stop the observation of the sit-at-home resulted in heavy casualty and the victims apparently got no compensation from the state government. Across the state some residents were apparently not happy that the government appears not to have learnt some lessons from the Anambra state experience. The residents were not encouraged to go about their businesses in spite of security provided in areas probably termed hot spots in the city. In some areas children utilised the time playing whatever games caught their fancy. Reports from our roving reporter.

Iheanyi Chukwudi The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has berated the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), for zoning the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East. The organization described APC's allocation of the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East as highly unreflective, disgusting and provocative to the Igbo. Ohanaeze which is the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said on Friday that APC's action is offensive. The organization therefore, directed all the Igbo Lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to vote according to their discretions irrespective of state, religion or ethnicity during election of principal officers of the two Chambers of the National Assembly. Ohanaeze's statement issued in Enugu by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, reads, "The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has watched with grave concern the zoning of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have also observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoned the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East of Nigeria. "The Ohanaeze Ndigbo states that allocating the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East is highly unreflective, disgusting and provocative to the Igbo. "To this end, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) directs all the Igbo Lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to vote according to their discretions irrespective of state, religion or ethnicity."

Iheanyi Chukwudi Determined to sanitize Enugu State, the new Government under Gov. Peter Mbah has ban with immediate effect, all illegal mining activities in the state. Announcing the ban in a statement on Thursday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, warned that there will be dire consequences for any illegal miner that flouts government's directive. His statement reads in part, “Following the directive by His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, on the report of the discovery of mineral resources in some commu8nities in Enugu State; and the illegal mining of such mineral resources in those communities without the authorization/consent of the State Government, I hereby direct that all illegal mining activities in Enugu State should stop with immediate effect." The SSG said that Government observed that it was in the "overriding interest of the public to protect the people from any hazard or pollution, and also maintain equal rights of benefits accruable from any mineral resources to the people of the state."

Mbah roars, outlaws sit-at-home, begs Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on Thursday declared an end to Monday sit-at-home in the state effective from Monday, June 5, 2023. This was as he called on President Bola Tinubu to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to quicken the "much-needed healing process in Nigeria.' Mbah said that sit-at-home orders were restricting creativity, entrepreneurship, and productivity in the state. The Governor, however, said that the state government was ready “to engage in dialogue with people, who have genuine grievances towards bringing lasting peace and security to Enugu State." Mbah who made these declarations while disclosing the decisions reached at the end of his first security council meeting with the heads of all the security agencies in the state at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday, noted that he had hit the ground running on the day of his inauguration by signing three Executive Orders for the good governance of the state, including Executive Order 002 for the removal of “Unauthorised Street Barriers Across the State Within 100 Days." At the meeting, which his Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, was in attendance, Mbah said, “There is no time to waste. The clock has started ticking on the mandate you gave me and deliverables I promised. “A time comes in the lives of a people when they must decide whether they genuinely want to move forward or remain stuck with the conditions of their underdevelopment. “The creativity and sense of industry of Ndi Igbo are remarkable. Our DNA is wired with commercial and entrepreneurial prowess. “If this is what we are known by, then it becomes inconsistent with reality that the spirit of entrepreneurship, commerce and creativity are killed every Monday in our land. Our restless spirit of industry abhors laxity and indolence. “The idea behind sitting at home on Monday, the first working and business day of the week, is abominable and antithetical to greatness and the spirit of industry we profess to have inherited from our forebears. This cannot be us. Tufiakwa (God forbid). It does colossal damage to us." Reminding the people of the direct connection between the lofty promises he made to them and the vibrancy of commerce in the state, the Governor said, “For us to transit from a public service economy to a private sector-driven one, we must free our markets from the shackles of restriction to commerce. If indeed we aspire and anticipate an influx of private sector practitioners and investors in Enugu State, we must know that this will not happen where the perception of us is that of unproductive people. “Therefore, those that strike on Mondays, putting restrictions in the way of our Igbo spirit of creativity, cannot be our true representatives. In fact, they kill our spirit. “We know that our land is a fertile ground for commerce. However, businesses, entrepreneurship and commerce require a vibrant workforce and big markets where they can flourish and make money. “To this end, therefore, from Monday June 5, 2023, there will be no observance of any sit-at-home in all nooks and crannies of Enugu State. Government will enforce this with all the powers at its disposal. “My charge to all of you – market men and women, the corporate world, industries, schools, civil servants, and all strata of workers in Enugu State is for us to take back our sense of industry, pride of place and re-enact our glorious past. “By heeding this call, you would have set us on the path of actualising our mandate." He stressed that the release of Kanu was important to the healing of the country, saying, “I call on our newly sworn in president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consciously work towards the release of MazI Nnamdi Kanu. We believe that his release will expedite the healing process Nigeria needs at this time. “It will also be a pointer to his administration’s extension of brotherly hands of fellowship to Ndigbo."

Iheanyi Chukwudi A Federal Government team led by the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, is currently meeting with leaders of the organised labour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Others in the government team are the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; the Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), who was one time president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole On their part, the organised labour is led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and his counterpart of Trade Union Congress (TUC), c?Festus Osifo. The meeting which was necessitated by NNPCL announcement of approved upward review in the pump price of petroleum nationwide, is taking place at the Conference Hall of the Chief of Staff to the President. NNPCL said in it's statement that the approval takes effect from today, Wednesday, May 31. It could be recalled that the new President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in his inaugural speech on May 29, announced the removal of fuel subsidy saying that, "Subsidy is gone." That announcement led to astronomical increase in the petroleum pump price and fuel scarcity. The organized labour has kicked against it warning President Tinubu not to dare them . Also Nigerians have been speaking against the development blaming the president for such unplanned action.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday arrested no fewer than 30 Pro-Biafra agitators during their procession for Biafran Day commemoration in Enugu state. Also on Tuesday, the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to commemorate Biafra Day, celebrated every May 30, across the old Eastern region, paralyzed economic and social activities in the state, as residents gave maximum compliance. The arrested Pro-Biafra agitators are members of Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra, and were arrested at Okpara Square, Enugu around 11am. A source disclosed that the pro-Biafra agitators were in the process of carrying out a march past at the Square parade ground with their Leader, Mazi Benjamin Onwuka Kalu ready to take salute, before the Police swooped on them, and hurled them into their waiting five Police Hilux vans that allegedly took them to State Police headquarters, Enugu. “It was when they started matching that about five Hilux vans loaded with policemen came and arrested them. I must tell you that they were not bearing any arms or dangerous weapons,” the source said. They allegedly had with them, Biafra Zionists insignia, stickers, flags of Biafra, Israel and USA. The State Police image maker, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP) said he was yet to get the information on the matter and promised to get back to newsmen, when he was contacted.

Iheanyi Chukwudi The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has asked Nigerian new President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to release the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from the nation’s security custody. MASSOB Leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu who made the demand on Tuesday in his speech to commemorate the 56th Anniversary of Biafra Declaration, stated that releasing Kanu was the right thing for Tinubu to do. “MASSOB demand the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB from the new president Bola Tinubu of Nigeria who once declared that he does not believe in Nigeria,” he said. His address reads in parts, “The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the people of Biafra today observe the 56th year anniversary of Biafra declaration by General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the then President of the Republic of Biafra. “Today, we remembered, celebrated and commemorated the sacrifices our gallant soldiers of Biafra made for our freedom. “MASSOB remembered the pains, anguish, hunger, subjection, hunger, and supreme prices our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters paid for Biafra freedom. We shall continue to remember them because their sufferings always provoke and revive our unshakeable and undeterred zeal and commitment for the self determination of Biafra. The new self determination struggle and restoration of Biafra anchored by MASSOB and others is grounded on the principal of non violence . “Today, all over the world, MASSOB members are on sober reflection, as we remember the brutalities, persecutions, traumatic torture, extra judicial killings, afflictions, imprisonment and traumatic deaths in the hands of the security agents of Nigeria. “We resolved that we shall never relent or succumb to Internal colonialism. They will never weaken our love, commitment and consistency in MASSOB. We know and understand that freedom can never be achieved on a platter of gold, Persecutions and political subjection always strengthen the zeal of genuine freedom fighters. The more the freedom fighters are politically incarcerated, the more they are hardened, the more the followership becomes uncontrollable. “MASSOB expresses our gratitude to the people of Biafra for their eloquent observation of today's Biafra day anniversary celebration.”