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From Iheanyi Chukwudi, Enugu The House of Representatives has expressed its resolve to end the daily wasting of lives of Nigerians in the country. Disclosing this in Enugu yesterday, its ad-hoc Committee investigating the murder of some persons allegedly killed by the Nigerian army in Enugu State, said the National Assembly “is worried by the way and manner the lives of Nigerians are being wasted on a daily basis, and resolved to end this by whichever means possible.” Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon Abdulraheem Sanni Egidi, who spoke at the Government House, Enugu, when the members of the committee paid a working visit to the Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah, to brief him on their mission, expressed the Committee’s resolve to unravel the reasons behind the unlawful killings of some Enugu indigenes by soldiers at Eke in Udi Local Government of the state. He commended Governor Mbah, for the support his administration has been giving to security agencies in his efforts to protect the lives and property of the citizens, and rid the state of crime. Egidi noted that Mbah had shown resolve in combating criminality and ensuring the “protection of lives and properties of the people” by providing adequate support in cash and kind to the security agencies to complement the efforts of the federal government. He however, expressed displeasure with the way the Nigeria soldiers killed some members of vigilante groups who were responding to distress call on banditry and kidnapping, added that they were on a fact-finding assignment in the state. The lawmaker disclosed that his ad-hoc committee was set up to embark on the fact-finding mission following a motion moved by the member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, Hon. Sunday Umeha, to investigate the “gruesome murder of some Nigerians by soldiers in the state on the 29th of June, 2023.” He said, “The House considering this as a matter of urgent public interest as it affects the lives of Nigerians, resolved to set up this ad-hoc committee to among other things; investigate what actually happened on that fateful day, and punish those found culpable; visit the victims critically lying at the hospital, and families of the deceased, and urge the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the victims of the gunshots.” Responding, Gov. Mbah extolled the resilient spirit of the committee for being proactive in their response to the plight of Nigerians, assuring that the state government would give them maximum support and protection as they discharged their duties. Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, said the state welcomed the development with delight even as he condemned the unfortunate loss of lives and urged the committee to discharge their duties without partiality, by listening to all sides, including witnesses, before drawing their conclusions. He observed that the security agencies in the state have been putting their best efforts to ensure that the lives and properties of Nigerians were protected in the state, and called for a robust relationship between those saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing the life of every citizen and members of the public. Lamenting on the heavy spending and other sacrifices the state has been making to keep the state safe, Mbah appealed to the National Assembly to consider allocating special security funding to Enugu State in the next cycle of budget. He said, “The investment this government is making on security is enormous. We have enjoyed the collaborative synergy with the security agencies, but we need the federal government to assist us to do more. “We need investment from the federal government to rejig and re-equip the security apparatuses in the state. We need the federal government in providing tools that the security services need so as to gradually relieve the state of the burden of what we have been investing,” Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, has assured the committee that the State Assembly would be volunteering its facilities for the public hearing, assuring them of the citizens’ cooperation. Ugwu who hosted the Committee at the conference room of the Assembly complex, said the incident happened in his constituency, and condemned the killings as “crime against humanity” which must be investigated to a logical conclusion.

By Madu Obi The immediate past Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, Professor Kate Omenugha has been elected a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). Omenugha, who is a Professor of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is a member of the Anambra State chapter of NIPR. She scored a total of 753 votes to emerge the winner in the highly contested election. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is the regulatory body for the Public Relations practice in Nigeria. The Governing Council comprises 17 internally elected members and five other appointed members by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The elected Council members are Dr SuleYau Sule, Ini Ememobong Essien, Dr Ike Neliaku, Bashir Adamu Chedi, Dr Adewale Oladipo Oyekanmi, Okoh Thelma Chika, Kabir Ali Kobi, Adaramola Temitope, Professor Kate Azuga Ominuga, Dr Saidat Salah Abdulnaqi, Prof Emmanuel Dandaura and Professor Sarah Benjamin Luwahas. The rest are Prince Ford Ozumba, Pastor Paulinus Eyinda Nsirim, Olubunmi Adedoyin Badejo, Akin Agbejule Bajulaye Adetokunbo and Yakubu Gomos.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government is to build clinics in the major markets in the state as parts of efforts to achieve universal health coverage for all. Already, the first of such clinics built by government in collaboration with the leadership of Onitsha Main Market is to be unveiled soon. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike who hinted of the decision to build the clinics during his visit to the Onitsha Main market, said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda in the health sector will soon reach all the markets across the state. While commending the governor for the landmark decision, Obidike said Governor Soludo was committed towards ensuring that health matters were given urgent attention in the state. According to the Commissioner, after visiting the proposed facility provided by the market leadership, he informed the Governor, who immediately approved the reconstruction and equipping of the clinics for the benefit of the traders and their customers. Obidike said Governor Soludo will personally commission the Onitsha- clinic for use, adding that the state government had already provided all the necessary resources to make the clinic fully functional. He further explained that all the healthcare centres across the state would be linked to the state’s telemedicine network to ensure that residents of the state do not die unnecessarily due to lack of access to quality healthcare. The President-General of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Innocent Anene, thanked the governor for approving the request for the clinic, saying that it would go a long way in addressing the health challenges faced by the traders. Anene assured the governor that the traders will continue to support his administration and ensure that his policies and programmes succeed.

By Madu Obi Representatives from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and the Department of Strategy, Execution and Evaluation (SEE) of the United Kingdom have visited the headquarters of the Anambra ICT Agency in Awka as part of their move to partner the state government in project management procedures. During the visit, officials of TBI announced their readiness to redeploy the delivery dashboard, which is a tool designed by TBI and adopted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to enhance efficiency and transparency in project management procedures in the state. The visit also provided the platform for outlining the interventions needed to meet the governor's agenda as captured in his manifesto. In his speech, Mr Ifeoluwa Ibigbami of TBI said interventions would be prioritized during a workshop planned for four pilot Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in the state. The Ministries are Health, Education, Environment and Works. According to him, the alignment strategy would aim at synchronizing the efforts of various government institutions, as well as ensure a harmonious pursuit of Governor Soludo’s visionary goals. Also speaking, Mr. Judy Melifonwu of TBI stated that sequel to the deployment of the dashboard and the synchronization of MDAs activities with the overall vision of the governor, there would be training of three officers each, to be nominated from the Administration, Accounts and Planning, Research and Statistics departments from the pilot MDAs of Health, Environment, Education and Works. The MD/CEO of the Anambra ICT Agency, Mr. Fred Agbata described the collaboration between the Tony Blair Institute and the Anambra State government as a progressive stride towards effective and comprehensive governance. “The Agency under my watch is ever ready to assist Mr. Governor to drive home this technological revolution for seamless service delivery in the state. "As this partnership unfolds, stakeholders and citizens alike should be on the look out for the transformative potential it holds. "There is no doubt that this synergy between the TBI’s expertise and the state’s administrative competence will yield remarkable outcomes that resonate both locally and beyond," Agbata said.

By Madu Obi Five persons were injured during a pandemonium in Nkpor, Idemili North local government area, a suburb of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, as armed masked hoodlums fought over ownership of motor parks in the area. The injury was caused by stampede following sporadic shootings, forcing traders and passersby in the new spare parts market to shut their shops and run for their lives. Chairman of Amafor Nkpor community, Mr. Emmanuel Idemili said the armed men stormed the scene where his men were working and started shooting and chasing people away. Control of Nkpor spare parts market has been a problem since the traders relocated to the area over 20 years ago, with the two opposing groups claiming rightful ownership. Idemili said his group has been in charge of the parks, claiming that they obtained the permission of the state government to generate revenue from the parks for the government. He said: “I was at Awka on official assignment, when our men who were working at the parks called me to say that masked armed elements stormed the parks under the fly-over bridge and started shooting indiscriminately. “They ordered my men to vacate the place immediately. I was told that over five people were injured during the stampede as a result of the heavy shooting of which I am yet to know if my members were involved. “The shooting resulted in traders at Nkpor New Auto Spare Parks and Nkpor Relief Markets immediately shutting their shops and fleeing to safety." The state Police command is yet to react on the issue as the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not yet aware of the incident.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State chapter of the South East APC Young Progressives Forum has asked Governor Chukwuma Soludo to give details of the palliatives he received on behalf of the people of the state from the federal government, saying that the governor's broadcast on the issue lacked transparency. The national convener of the group, Comrade Paschal Candle in a statement on Wednesday said the broadcast by the governor did not address the key demands the group made earlier, which was for Prof. Soludo to state in clear terms if the said five trucks of rice the federal government distributed to each state has been received by the government of Anambra State, or if the state is still expecting the receipt of the five truckloads. Candle said: "It is important that we track the rice Mr. Governor intends to share to 300,000 households and the quantity. "If the rice is from the federal government, it is very important to let our people know so that the state government will not claim it came from the state coffers." "So, we are insisting that Governor Soludo categorically affirms or denies receipt of the five truckloads of rice from the FG." "Any attempt to shy away from making such a simple clarification raises grounds for suspicion of potential corrupt practices because the state government may surreptitiously include cost of rice freely given to the state as part of the expenses the Anambra State government made to provide palliatives." "Secondly, the address by the governor did not make mention in any way, the N5 billion worth of food palliatives the federal government is extending to Anambra State, which is meant to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize and fertilisers." "This is highly suspicious. What will it take Governor Soludo to just mention in his address that FG is giving states N5 billion as part of palliatives to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal like other states have done if not for a suspicious motive of keeping Anambra people in the dark? "We therefore call on Governor Soludo to be open to Ndi Anambra and tell us about the N5 billion additional FG food palliatives and how he intends to use it. "That is the barest minimum we expect from Mr. Governor. "This is important because we know that part of the N5 billion Naira (48%) is a loan to Anambra and Ndi Anambra deserve to know any loan the Governor is incurring on their behalf and how it is utilized. "Gov. Soludo should have also announced to Ndi Anambra in his address how he intends to compile the social register for Anambra, which will form the basis for the cash transfer to the most vulnerable using the $800 million World Bank loan. "We suggested ways to make the list comprehensive and non-partisan, but Mr. Governor was silent on the mode of compiling the register, which further solidifies our suspicion that the governor wants to fill the social register with mainly APGA members and supporters." On the increase of the salaries of public servants by 10% effective January 2023, Candle said the state's workers have been paying the adjustment since January 2023.

By Madu Obi The Labour Party, LP, senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial zone, Mr. Linus Okorie has described as illegal, the rumoured plan by the Independent National electoral commission, INEC, to conduct a fresh election for the zone when the petition challenging the declaration of former Governor Dave Umahi as the winner is still pending in court. Okorie had draged the All Progressives Congress, APC, and David Umahi, now a Minister, to court for allegedly rigging, manipulating and perpetrating other irregularities during the election. He alleged that INEC was allegedly planning to conduct a fresh election to replace former Governor David Umahi who resigned his position in the Senate to become Minister of works. Already, Dave Umahi's younger brother, Austin is rumoured to be planning to replace his brother in the Red Chambers of the national assembly, as his posters have flooded the entire senatorial zone. Okorie, a two time member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency in the national assembly said: "Today, the election petition tribunal adopted the final addresses of all the parties. After today, the tribunal will reseerve judgement, that may be next week. "If that judgement is given, and if the court decides that it was Umahi who won that election, then two things will happen." "If nobody goes to the Court of Appeal to challenge it, INEC will fix a date for a new election in which case, anybody can participate. But if the court does not rule that way, INEC can do nothing." "There will be no election until the final determination of the 2023 Ebonyi South senatorial election in court, starting from the tribunal and maybe to Court of Appeal, if any party feels dissatisfied with whatever the tribunal rules. The only person that cannot appeal now, is David Umahi because he is no longer in the process." Okorie, who expressed optimism of getting victory in the court, added: "I ran that election and clearly my people voted for me, but we are in court, and I expect that the court will give me justice." " As a law abiding citizen, I will axcept the ruling of the court. But if I'm not satisfied with the ruling of the tribunal, I will proceed to the Court of Appeal".

By Madu Obi The people of Isuaniocha Community in Awka North local government area of Anambra State have rejected the newly installed traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Mkpuorah Ngini. Ngini was among the four traditional rulers issued certificate of recognition by Governor Chukwuma Soludo last week.. In a peaceful protest to the Anambra State Government House, Awka on Wednesday, the people said Ngini is not the choice of the community, describing him as an imposition by a few elements in the area. Some of the placards carried by the people had inscriptions such as "Igweship election was conducted under crisis and confusion"; "We reject Mkpuorah Ngini as our traditional ruler"; "Ngini's family cannot dictate for Isuaniocha"; and "Isuaniocha needs peace, not war". The protesters, who chanted solidarity songs at the gate of the Government House, were led by the President General of the community, Mr Fredrick Egwunwa. Narrating their grievances, Egwunwa said: "The government of Governor Soludo said earlier that there will be no election in communities that have crises and Isuaniocha is one of such, but the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters went ahead to conduct a shabby election. "They coerced few individuals to come and stand as electorate even when most stakeholders did not know about the election. "They ignored the governor's directive for their personal reasons. We don't accept this move and all we want is peace." They called on the state governor to stay action on the issue of traditional ruler in the area until the community achieves peace. The Special Adviser to the governor on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Fidelis Nnazor, who received the protesters on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, assured them that government would look into their grievances and take necessary action within one week. He said: "Government will set up a committee immediately to look into the Isuaniocha matter with a view to resolving it and bringing peace back to the town, to enable the Soludo administration carry-on his developmental projects in all parts of the state without any hindrance." The protesters, after submitting their protest letter to the government, vowed to resume the protest if government fails to keep it's promise within the one week..

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Governor Peter Mbah off Enugu State has commended the brilliant performance of the state top scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Master Ernest Ifeanyichukwu Ofoama. Mbah's commendation came just as his wife and First Lady of the state, Mrs. Nkechiyere Mbah, through her foundation, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programme, offered a scholarship of ₦1 million and other incentives to Master Ofoama, to study his preferred course in the university. Hosting Ernest and his parents, Mr Oliver Ofoama and Mrs Loveth Ofoama, at the Government House, Enugu, the governor said he 2as proud of him and expressed delight at the academic exploits by the 18-year-old student. He promised that the state government would continue to support the student’s academic pursuit and welfare to ensure that he fulfills his dream career. The Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to reform and remodel all the public schools in the state through infrastructural interventions and introduction of technology and innovation in the academic curricula such as the multimedia software, simulations, models, diagrams, AR elements, interactive maps, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and 3D graphics which would aide quick learning. While describing Ofoama as a model and source of inspiration to other young ones, the governor enjoined students in the state to emulate him by focusing on their studies through hardwork, resilience and innovation, adding that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment and various incentives that would encourage learning activities across the state. The elated Master Ofoama, who was recently awarded scholarship by RHI under the National Scholarship Programme on Tertiary Education (NAPS), said he was overwhelmed by joy at the recognition accorded him by the Governor and the scholarship award by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Ofoama encouraged other students to avoid social vices and focus on their studies, as he wished them academic exploits and a bright future. Master Ofoama, who hails from Awha-Imezi in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the State, scored 347 points in the UTME to emerge the best in Enugu and also bag the Nigeria First Lady’s scholarship award for the highest scorers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The letter communicating the award of the scholarship, which was addressed to the wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs. Mbah, stated that the scholarship grant presentation ceremony would take place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Saturday, August 26.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The scheduled arraignment of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has been stalled amid indications that he has embraced the plea bargain policy. Emefiele who was suspended, arrested and detained in the first week of President Nola Ahmed Tinubu's administration was expected to be arraigned on alleged N6.9 billion breach of procurement laws and contract inflation. But the arraignment on a 20-count charges fixed for Wednesday August 23 by an Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja High Court, did not take place as it was not slated on the cause list. Newsmen however, gathered from reliable sources at the court room that the arraignment was shifted at the instance of the defendant, Emefiele. It was also gathered authoritatively that the detained CBN boss, Emefiele and his-co accused, Saadat Yaro, have opted for a plea bargain policy with the Federal Government. Emefiele's lawyer, Kehinde Akinlolu (SAN) confirmed the shift in the arraignment adding that a new date may likely be issued by the Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Widow of late Igbo Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu,, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu has called for greater synergy among the Governors of the South East region. She has also reiterated the calls for release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, since declared free by a competent Nigerian court, urging the Governors to to continue to intensify efforts towards his release. The former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain made the call in her keynote address at the Annual National Conference and Convention of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) in Dallas, Texas in USA. The keynote address in the event, which took place between August 19 and August 20, was released to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday. AVID is a congregation of American citizens, both men and women of Igbo extraction who are currently serving military officers and veterans who have served honourably in various branches of the United States Military at different times, different conflicts and different theatres of war. Decrying the nonchalant attitude of Igbo leaders, Ambassador Ojukwu insisted that “it is only when the leaders in Igboland rise up, jettison their perceived conspiracy of silence and confront the truth will there be the slightest possibility of healing and recovery from the unfortunate condition which Igboland currently finds itself in. "The onerous task of confronting the Leviathan can only start when we come to terms with the fact that It is the neglect of the leadership in Igboland to effectively highlight and address the blatant marginalization of Ndigbo through the years that created the vacuum which led to the emergence of Nnamdi Kanu, and then proceed to make the necessary amends. She noted that the Igbo leaders' initial nonchalant attitude towards Kanu’s illegal rendition and continued unlawful incarceration contributed greatly towards inflaming the present tensions within the South East region. Ojukwu, who was the special guest at the event, said: “this nonchalant attitude also brought about the unforeseen consequences of opportunistic criminal elements not even remotely connected with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) coming into the picture." “Today, they (opportunistic criminal elements) are masquerading as freedom fighters to perpetuate the most heinous crimes in South Eastern region." Haiti’s former Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Jean Pillard, in a presentation, went down memory lane, recalling with emotions the sojourn of the Igbos through the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to Haiti. Pillard noted that in the midst of Haiti’s darkest times, the Igbos contributed their strength and courage to the struggle for freedom against an adversary, none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. He said, “Napoleon Bonaparte (who had defeated so many armies in Europe); but the Igbos in Haiti got united to impose an amazing defeat on Napoleon and the mighty French army,” he said. In his speech the President of AVID, Dr Sylvester Onyia, a US veteran, restated the resolve and commitment of the organisation towards a safe, prosperous and peaceful Alaigbo (Igboland), their homeland of origin. Onyia said that the continued detention of Kanu in spite of his ordered release by the courts was of grave concern to the organization. He stressed the fact that Ndigbo are currently anxious about the inability of the Federal Government to secure their lives, properties and investments in their states of residence and business in other parts of the country. He also expressed the organization’s concerns about the current hardships being experienced by Nigerians as a whole, and the marginalisation and insecurity in Igboland that had been exacerbated by anti-people policies. “These have caused nothing but suffering and a heightened sense of hopelessness among the people,” the AVID leader said. Several speakers including diplomats and government officials made presentations at the conference which featured award presentations to deserving officers, music and cultural presentations. There was also fundraising activities for the organization’s ongoing project for the provision of solar powered boreholes to provide potable clean water for schools and local clinics in South Eastern communities. The event witnessed the convergence of AVID associates as well as other attendees who came in from other parts of the United States and Nigeria.

By Madu Obi The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders(COSEYL) has rejected President Bola Tinubu's palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy, describing it as a grand deceit. President General of the group, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, in a statement, said the palliatives were not enough to justify the current fuel pump price of N630 per liter. According to the leader of the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South -East geopolitical zone, the palliatives were intended to deceive gullible Nigerians into accepting the fraudulent current fuel price. His statement read: "Nigerians have spoken in clear and loud terms that we want a reversal to N165 per litre for petrol and forget about this Greek gift of sharing palliatives to few APC party members in a bid to deceive Nigerians into believing that he cares when in actual sense, he wants all Nigerians dead through hardship and hunger. "The unilateral increment of fuel price and other petroleum products aim at making life difficult for Nigerians is a confirmation that President Tinubu has no regard for the lives of Nigerians." "He sees Nigerians as his prisoners who have no choice but must accept anything he wants or desires to do which is not in tandem with democratic tenets." "President Tinubu on assumption of office increased the price of fuel from N165 to N530 and from N530 to N630, over 10 million Nigerians have died as a result of hardship." "Armed robbery attacks have increased by 70 percent as some youths who cannot find a means of survival have resorted to armed robbery where in most cases kill their victims in a bid to disposes them of their money and valuables." "In Owerri, the Imo state capital, just within on week, armed robbers shot dead a retired police officer with his wife who runs a Point Of Sale (POS) business." "A UK based 30 years old young man was also shot dead by armed robbers robbing a POS operator. The list of those killed in Nigeria as a result of the hardship brought upon Nigerians by new fuel price is endless." "It is disheartening that in a supposed democracy where power belongs to the people, the people are not allowed to breathe. The President and his team laugh at Nigerians as what we saw play out on the floor of the Senate where the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and other senators laughed at Nigerians when a bill demanding that Nigerians should be allowed to breathe was read on the floor of the Senate. "We are no longer running a democratic government in Nigeria but a kakistocracy government that has no respect for the rights of Nigeria citizens. Too sad! "We demand that President Tinubu should reverse the fuel price to N165 per litre so that industries and companies that have closed shops as a result of the fuel increment can go back to work." "The rate of unemployment is alarming and only reversal of fuel price to N165 per litre will save Nigerians from the present high rate of unemployment and hardship."