Nnewi (Anambra), Feb. 7, 2024 (NAN) The Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra has sympathized with the timber dealers in Nnewi over a fire incident in a section of the market.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday reports that fire on Tuesday gutted the timber market, which is situated in Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra.
Soludo, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu, informed the timber dealers that the inferno was indeed an unfortunate development.
The governor, was in company of the Transition Committee chairman (TC) for Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state, Mr Chris Obiora and other All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) stalwarts inspected the affected section of the market for an on spot assessment.
The commissioner, after the tour pointed out that the timber dealers have to take the safety of the market more seriously.
He said that there was an urgent need to improve water supply in strategic points in the section of the market to forestall future occurrence.
He mandated the transition committee, Obiora, to sink an ultra modern borehole with big capacity to supply water to the market.
He also directed that the sawdust area be fenced so that fire generated from sawdust dumps will not easily enter the shops and sheds of the timber dealers.
He expressed the preparedness of the government to support the victims at their time of trial occasioned by the tragic fire incident.
He, however, commended the operatives of Anambra State Fire Service and others for containing the fire thereby preventing the inferno from causing greater damage.
One of the market leader, Mr Ikechukwu Okafor, appreciated the governor’s powerful delegation to the market, adding that the victims lost properties worth millions of naira to the inferno.
The people of Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State have accused the lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, of aiding and fuelling insecurity in the community.
The Traditional Ruler of Oraifite, Dr Daniel Udorji and the President-General, Sir Vin Dike, made these allegations during a press conference they jointly addressed in the presence of other members of the community, at the Oraifite Civic Centre, on Monday.
The development followed the recent kidnapping and alleged killing of a 38-year-old youth leader in the community.
Journalists from different media platforms who were at the press conference were also informed of an ongoing rift between Ejiofor and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Chief Sir Emeka Ofor. Both Ofor and Ejiofor are members of Oraifite community.
Both the community monarch and the president general, also alleged that the IPOB lawyer used a masquerade organisation called ‘Otueke’ to kidnapp, harass and intimidate members of the community, including Sir Emeka Ofor, whom they described as the “messiah” to the community.
As a result of this, they said the kinsmen have placed a ban on the ‘Otueke’ festival with immediate effect, citing insecurity as the main reason.
The president-general, Chief Vincent Dike, said, “This press conference is called to let the world know the activities of Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor towards his ancestral people and the man who made him who he is today in the society.
“Ejiofor is one of the major beneficiaries of Sir Emeka Ofor’s humanitarian gesture in Oraifite town. He was trained by Sir Emeka Ofor from Secondary to University education. But today, his benefactor has become his greatest enemy in this world. He has also extended his hatred to the entire community that trained and protect him.
“He uses ‘Otueke’ an organisation filled with all manners of youths, mostly from his Umunakwa kindred to unleash terror on us. About 95 percentage of kidnapping, killings and other criminal activities in our community today, is been sponsored by Ejiofor with support from his Umunakwa kindred. Because of this, he has not been holding meeting with us for the past 15 years.
“Otueke is an organisation that was set up by our forefathers to unite the people, to discuss important and vital issues of the town. It has multiple arms, there is an arm that is used for enforcement called ‘Otuebe’.
“Otuebe is an arm that was used by our forefathers to enforce order and obedience or collections within the community, the reason why we are placing a ban on it is because some disgruntled elements are now using it to fuel insecurity and all other atrocious activities coming with this ‘Otueke’ because it’s almost like a masquerade.
“Some naive son’s of the community have also hijacked ‘Otueke’ and it has become their personal property. They even registered it in a Corporate Affairs Commission and are using it for reasons that it was originally not meant for.”
The PG, however, called on the state government, the Police and other security agencies to intervene on the matter.
The traditional ruler, Igwe Daniel Udoji, on his part, appealed to the people of the community to rise up and defend the community.
Udoji said, “I am the Igwe of the town, I am the father of the town, every Oraifite person, male or female, citizens of Oraifite are my children, I take delight in supporting mostly, those who have positive values.
“Who pursue the peace, love, unity and progress of Oraifite. Oraifite has been very peaceful, full of good news and progress, but of late, we have been bombarded with insecurity as a result of disgruntled elements thereby giving the communitu bad and negative publicity.
“Oraifite is blessed with a son like Emeka Offor, he has done so much for us, Nigeria and in fact the whole world. You can remember the polio incident, he donated so much money to control polio not only in Nigeria, but across the world”, he said.
The Igwe said that Mr Emeka Offor has created jobs, empowered the youths, taken care of widows, constructed roads, built factories, created employment for the youths both in Oraifite, Nigeria and the world.
“It’s very painful that Oraifite people don’t seems to appreciate what God has given to them, a son like Mr Emeka Offor, my Igwe friends during our monthly meetings in Awka have said that they will offer him nationality, if Oraifite people can not protect him.
“It’s too bad, let us unite and appreciate Emeka Offor, he has done so much for us, not only appreciate him, defend him when he is under attack, there are many bad people who don’t appreciate good things.
“It’s regrettable that we don’t come out to defend him on social media, when he’s under attack; it shouldn’t be only when we need him that we should go to him.
“We should come out and defend him, humanly speaking, we can’t reward Mr Emeka Offor for all he has done for us”, he noted.
Reacting via phone call, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor said that through out his life time, he had never supported, encouraged or sponsored crime.
He urged the public to disregard disregard the allegation level against him as there are unfounded and mischievous.
He said as a lawyer of many years standing, it is not possible for him to support or encourage criminal acts.
He said that the only crime he committed was asking the PG and the community about a young man called Ebuka Wigwe, whom Anambra Vigilantee groups abducted and kept without informing the family of his where about and reason he was abducted.
“When I was called and told about the young man abduction, i petitioned the Inspector General of Police and subsequently he was released by Court.
“I am not against the arrest of any person that committed crime but his whereabout must be communicated to his family. The reason for his arrest must be made known.Why must they keep his abduction secret? ” he said .
He said that all that is happening in Oraifite are caused by Emeka Offor who use the traditional institution and PG to cover up, Emeka Offor uses the members of the town union to achieve whatever he wants in the town.
“I have no problem with the community, regretting that they claimed that Emeka Offor trained him in the University. Ejiofor said that Emeka Offor is after him because he is owning him N2.8billions.
The Vaccine Network for Disease Control, a Non-Governmental Organisation has reiterated commitment to partner Kwara Government on disease control and its eradication across the 16 Local Government Area.
Mrs Chika Offor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, stated this on Friday in Ilorin, during an On-boarding Meeting with Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam.
She explained that the initiative known as Partnership To Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH) affords strategies to eradicate Childhood-killer diseases.
According to her, the meeting is one of the planned advocacy activities of the Vaccine Network in line with their objectives on the PREACH project.
Offor explained that the project is a Global Alliance for Vaccines Initiative (GAVI)-funded project through Global Health Advocacy Initiative (GHAI).
She stated that the goal is to redeem, expand and sustain multi-stakeholder commitment to investment in immunization and primary healthcare.
The aim, she said, is to reach zero-dose children and increase immunization coverage in Nigeria.
“The specific objectives includes increase domestic resource mobilization for Immunization, efficient allocation use, accountability of domestic resources and timely release of vaccine financing, including GAVI co-financing obligations,” she said.
The CEO of the Network stated that this project is geared towards supporting the government to sustaining and up-scaling the immunization financing responsibility.
According to her, it will also ensure that the state of primary healthcare is strengthened.
She reitearted resolve of working with the Kwara Government and relevant Agencies to develop effective strategies to mitigate funding gaps, strengthen the PHC system, and address other critical issues.
In her response, Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner of Health commended the Network team and assured them of her support.
She explained that with this partnership, she would love to see “impactful progress, statistically significant improvements in the health of citizens of Kwara”.
Dr Ernest Umakhihe, an aspirant for the 2024 governorship election in Edo, has vowed to revisit the abandoned Benin storm water project initiated by the Adams Oshiomhole administration, if elected.
Umakhihe, who is aspiring on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the pledge during the continuation of his pre-primary election campaign to party members at Oredo Local Government Area.
The aspirant, a recently retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the water project remained the best option in solving the perennial flooding problem in Benin City.
While noting that it was one of the legacy projects of the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration, he said it was disheartening that eight years after, the project had not been completed.
“The project initiated by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s government to solve the aged long-Benin City flooding and other environmental challenges seemed to have been practically come to a halt under Gov. Godwin Obaseki. Work on it has since stopped,” he said.
The retired senior civil servant sought the support of both the party members in the areas to vote for him during the direct primaries scheduled for Feb. 17.
Umakhihe urged APC loyalists to intensify efforts to ensure the success of the party in the Sept. 21 gubernatorial election in the state.
This, he said, began with nomination of a credible candidate like him.
According to him, retrieving the governorship position lost to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2020 should be uppermost in the mind of every right-thinking member of the party.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure the best candidate is nominated to win the state back to APC,” said the governorship aspirant. NAN
Edo chapter of the Labour Party (LP), has said that any aspirant who cannot afford the fees for expression of interest and nomination form lacked the capacity to run for governorship election.
Comrade Kelly Ogbalol, Edo Chairman, LP, stated this on Wednesday in Benin while speaking on the N30 million fee charged by the party, among other issues.
Ogbalol said the N30 million nomination fee charged by the party was the lowest among the three major political parties contesting the election in Edo.
He stated that the cost of elections into political offices in Nigeria was quite expensive as witnessed from the recent general elections.
“Aside being qualified to contest election, aspirants must also be ready to show capability and capacity to fund campaigns and other election requirements.
“Therefore, any aspirant who cannot afford the fee lacks the capacity to run for the governorship election”.
He said political party funding was a challenge and that the sale of forms was a major source through which political parties were funded.
He said that two governorship aspirants had bought the party forms, a man and a woman, urging others to do same.
Ogbalol appealed to the party aspirants to make the necessary sacrifice by participating in the exercise.
He assured that the party waa determined to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants leading to the emergence of a credible candidate.
He further said that the party had reduced the fee for women by 50 per cent in order to ensure their participation in the governorship election.
He denied the allegation that the party received N500 million from the state government in order to feature a neophyte as her candidate for the election.
…as Akoko-Edo youths describe Dep Gov as political icon
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has been described as a distinguished political icon with robust experience.
The commendation was made Saturday by a group of young people in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, during the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Hon Marvelous Omobayo, a former Labour House of Representatives candidate for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency.
Shaibu who led other top dignitaries that graced the occasion, witnessed the conferment of the chieftaincy title of ‘High Chief Ogbokpokponase Gbaragada 1 of Akoko-Edo Land’ (the one who constructs a wide road on Omobayo.
In his remarks at the event, Shaibu extolled Hon Marvelous Omobayo’s wisdom and other Akoko-Edo leaders, even as he thanked them for their unflinching support at all times.
The State number two citizen prayed for the new chieftaincy title holder and his family for God’s guidance and abundant blessings.
Dignitaries at the occasion include; former Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and Member, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, Rt Hon Yekini Idiaye, Member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 2, Hon Donald Okogbe, PDP Senatorial Leader, Chief Okomayin, palace chiefs, amongst others.
Speaking earlier, Chief Marvelous Omobayo, noted that the title according to the palace chiefs, is based on his modest efforts at providing jobs for a good number of Akoko-Edo youths, contributions to the development of Nigeria, Edo State in particular and prompt response to critical calls from numerous distressed citizens from the area.
“For me, these are issues I believe are between me, my God and the beneficiaries. I never intended to make them issues of political propaganda and so on. Unfortunately, many of the beneficiaries are not persuaded to keep quiet. To God be the glory,” Omobayo added.
He, however, expressed his unconditional love for the State Deputy Governor, while appreciating him for gracing the occasion.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has described the priest of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Benin City, Rev. Fr. Andrew Aigbe Obinyan, as a gifted and charismatic Reverend Father.
Shaibu gave the commendation during the 25th silver jubilee ordination anniversary celebration of Rev. Fr. Obinyan, held Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, College Road, Benin City.
He described the celebrant as a man of many parts, noting that the Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Obinyan is a strict and spiritual Reverend Father.
According to Shaibu, “Fr. Obinyan has many names — the most important one that I know very well is that he (Obinyan) is a very strict Reverend Father, a spiritual and charismatic one at that.”
“It is heartwarming to know that this servant of God has spent 25 years of his life in sacrificial service in the Lord’s vineyard and humanity at large.”
“May God continue to keep him in His vineyard, as a vessel of honour spreading the Gospel of Christ, and may his calling continue to flourish from glory to glory, and strength to strength.
“Congratulations, Reverend Father Obinyan. Glory to Jesus, Honour to Mary and Joseph!!!”
Fr. Obinyan recently attained 25 years in priesthood, with the Silver Jubilee priestly ordination thanksgiving mass anniversary celebration held in October at the St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.
… assesses impact, assures victims of relief materials from Government
Edo State Deputy Governor Tuesday paid an official visit to Etsako Central Local Government Area to assess the devestating impact of flood in some communities, even as he assured victims of the yearly disaster that the State Government will collaborate with the Federal Government to provide them relief materials to ameliorate their plight.
The Deputy Governor spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities.
Shaibu, who rode on a boat during the assessment tour, said he came on behalf of Edo State Government to ascertain the level of damage caused by the flooding.
According to him, the visit would also afford him the opportunity to find out the state of the internally displaced persons(IDP) camp in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of the local government.
The Deputy Governor assured the people of the State Government’s assistance with relief materials, while affirming efforts by the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of the flood in future.
“I came to see and assess the level of damage caused by the flood and report back to my boss, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki”
“As a Government, we are also here to empathize with the flood victims. We have assessed the extent of damage caused by the floods and I will report to my elder brother, Mr Governor for us to make appropriate arrangements to have relief materials provided to sustain them till the flood subsides.
Shaibu appealed to the Federal Government to help arrest the yearly occurrence of flooding in Etsako Central by undertaking the dredging of River Niger as a permanent solution.
The mostly affected areas visited by the Deputy Governor and officials of Etsako Central Local Government Council, led by its Chairman, Hon Solomon Obomighie included Udaba, Anegbette, Osomegbe and Uduchi.
Highlights of the assessment tour were visits to the IDP camp in Fugar and some traditional rulers in the locality.
…laments devastating effect of menace, assures victims of govt support
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, Thursday paid on-the-spot assessment visit to areas devastated by gully erosion in Jattu community and environs in Etsako West Local Government Area of the State.
Shaibu was accompanied on the visit by the Vice Chairman of Etsako West, Hon Benjamin Ojato, Parish Priest of St. Philip-Neri Catholic Church and Rector of St. Philip Nursery/Primary and Secondary School, Jattu, Rev Fr Jude Amune, Rev. Fr David John Oshioke, as well as the Councillor representing ward eleven, Etsako West, Hon Okwilegue Omoruaye Valentine and affected victims of the gully erosion menace.
Speaking with newsmen during the visit, the Deputy Governor appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the community to avoid further destruction of livelihoods and properties of citizens.
He also appealed to the people in the area not to “engage in activities that will worsen the already deplorable situation”.
Shaibu expressed his heartfelt sympathy on behalf of Edo State Government to the people, while promising to put up a comprehensive report of the assessment to his principal and elder brother, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for immediate relief intervention to cushion effects of the menace.
The Deputy Governor and his team also inspected other erosion sites around the area, starting from Saint Philip Cemetery to the axis where atleast,100 houses were swept away by the devastating erosion menace that ravaged the community.
He commiserated with the people whose houses were submerged and described the situation as very sad.
The Edo State number two citizen assured that “the State and Federal Government will do everything within their reach to bring succour to the people”.
Shaibu also assured of his personal support in providing relief materials and funds to the affected victims.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to support NGO’s, particularly the Lions Club in its humanitarian service at societal development.
The Deputy Governor gave the charge when he hosted executive of Lions International,District 404 -A4, Nigeria(Edo Lions Club) in Benin City.
Shaibu described the projects undertaken by the Lions Club as selfless, noting that the free eye treatment it has planned to embark upon would give members of the public access to take care of their sight.
“I have a good understanding of humanitarian services. It’s clear that government cannot do everything alone, hence the NGOs and other well-meaning individuals are needed at the grassroots to reduce social tension, while assuring of his personal support for its activities.
Speaking earlier, the Edo State Coordinator of Lion Club, Lion Doris Ken-Otokiti said the club was a non – profit making organization set up to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the diverse people of the world.
She appealed to His Excellency for support, while requesting the State number two citizen to help in the flag-off of its humanitarian project and free eye treatment which will commence on October 17, 2023.
Kakaki 