Paradise News

Tag: Anambra State

  • Anambra @33: ACTDA boss praises Governor Soludo over achievements

  • Anambra Govt seals offices of APGA, Labour Party ahead of LG election

    Anambra Govt seals offices of APGA, Labour Party ahead of LG election

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra Government through the State Housing Development Corporation, has sealed off the offices of the Edozie Njoku faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Labour Party (LP), and the office of Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.

    The offices, located at the Udoka Housing Estate in Awka, the state capital, were sealed off by agents of the Corporation accompanied by men dressed in military and police uniforms.

    The reason given for the seal-off was that the estate is a residential area, not a business or political area

    However, it was gathered that during Soludo’s governorship campaign in 2010, his office was also located in the same Udoka estate, raising questions about the government’s motives.

    READ ALSO: Monkeypox spreads to 19 Nigerian states

    The Labour Party has condemned the action, stating that it was carried out without notice, warning, or any form of engagement with the party.

    The party’s secretary, C.J. Okoli Akirika, described the action as “unfortunate, bizarre, and brazen” and vowed to seek legal redress.

    Akirika said the party’s staff were chased away and the office sealed off in a “maniacal, frenzied, and frenetic commando-like operation”.

    He accused the state government of attempting to truncate statutorily emplaced procedures and resorting to underhand, illegal, and obnoxious intimidation.

    The seal-off has been seen as a move to suppress opposition parties in the state, amidst the ongoing controversy over the leadership of APGA and the recent recognition of Edozie Njoku as the party’s national chairman by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Edozie Njoku faction of APGA has been at loggerheads with the Sly Ezeokenwa leadership of the party, which is loyal to Soludo.

    The Labour Party, which fielded Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has also been critical of the state government.

    Also speaking to Journalists on the development, the National Vice Chairman of APGA, South East, Hon Engr. Tony Uche Ezekwelu, described the action of the Anambra Government as intimidating, suppression and act of impunity.

    According to him, what really happened toda, is purely political. The incident happened exactly 10am. I am a witness to what happened because I am currently in Anambra State for an official assignment to monitor the selling of our party (APGA) Chairmanship form for the forthcoming September 28th, 2024 local government election in the state.

    “I was shocked about the incident because, we have been in this building for the past two months without such incident, why now? We were not given any notice to quit our office. They invaded us unnoticed. I strongly believe that the action has a link to the forthcoming local overnment election

    “The invasion has a political undertone. We are calling on the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to fully accept the Supreme Court Judgement that affirmed Mt.Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the our great party for the sake of peace.

    “Njoku has come to stay as the National Chairman of APGA with Chief Chekwas Okorie as the Board of Trustees Chairman of the party.

    Engr Ezekwelu while disclosing that APGA, under the leadership of Mr. Njoku has setup a reconciliation committee to reconcile all aggrieved party members, assure that the party is fully prepared to participate the Anambra Local Government Election.

  • Community protests alleged conversion of ancestral land by Anambra Govt

    By Ovat Abeng

    Thousands of youths from Ifite village, Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, have embarked on a peaceful protest over an alleged convertion of their ancestral land by the state government.

    The Youths marched round the alledged converted land where the Anambra Government through the State Housing Development Corporation have erected a Housing Estate known as Hillview Estate.

    They carried placards with various inscriptions, such as ‘our land are not for sale, ‘Anambra State government do the needful, Anambra State Government pay us our agree compensation, this is an abomination. Government want to forcefully convert our land, no land left for our children again, We shall not agree. Let the governor Soludo hear us. We want governor Soludo’s quick intervention, among others.

    Speaking to Journalists shortly after the protest at his Obata’s residence Nkwelle Ezunaka on Monday, the Chairman of Eziubulu family, Hon Vincent Nwankwo, expressed displeasure over the way and manner the Anambra Government is treating Eziubulu family, owners of the say land known as Aboigwugwu land now called Hillview Estate, Ifite village Nkwelle Ezunaka community, Oyi Local Government Area of the State.

    He lamented that the State Government has refused to pay them the compensation the both agreed decades ago.

    According to Nwankwo, as a means of further passing a message to the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation and the Government as a whole to express our displeasure over the maltreatment and fragrant denial of our entitlements by the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation

    “The communal owners of the said land (Eziubulu family) are constitutionally entitled to be adequately compensated for the land which was taking over and converted to a Housing Estate.

    “Several emissaries and correspondences have been sent to the Housing Corporation to no avail.

    “We urged our solution governor, Chukwuma Soludo to use his good office and constitute a joint committee of both Eziubulu family and the state government representatives, to access the happenings in the Hillview Estate, the youth leader concluded.

    The CounselAttorney, Eziubulu family, Barrister Chinedu Ufondu, who also spoke during the briefing, said the community is not happy over what the state government is doing to them.

    He urged governor Soludo to urgently intervene in the matter to avoid further break down of law and order in the area.

    Responding to the alledged convertion, the Managing Director of the State Housing Development Corporation, Chief Chike Anyaonu faulted the claims by the community, emphasizing that no activity was taking place there until the present administration came on board.

    READ ALSO: Appointment Of Dikko As Public Complaints Commissioner Excites FCT Residents.

    In a telephone interview, Anyaonu said: “The housing corporation has not redesigned the master plan it inherited.

    The estate was established during the administration of Dr. Chris Ngige in 2005 and since then, there had been many board members and Managing Directors of the housing corporation.

    “The various administrations were redesigning the estate and it is only this administration that looked at it and discovered that nothing is going on there. We have asked the contractor to start work, otherwise the contract will be revoked, which is why you see all the roads being constructed in the estate.”

    According to Anyaonu, the community has been paid the compensation for the land and the problem is that after selling their plots, they turn around to demand for more. The documents are there for everyone to see. Maybe they do not have the original document.

    “As we speak, there is already an approval by the state Ministry of Education to establish public primary school in the estate and there are also provisions for markets, hospitals and recreation centers in the documents I inherited. We have not changed the plan since I came into office,” he said..

  • Report of my govt planning to borrow N245bn to fund Anambra 2024 budget is fake, says Soludo

    Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has debunked the report that his administration is planning to borrowed N245 billion to fund the State 2024 budget.

    Soludo debunked the publication while briefing Journalists at the governor’s lodge Amawbia, on Tuesday to mark the State 33-years anniversary.

    It was gathered that the governor was reacting following the recent publication by Daily Trust Newspaper that Anambra State government will borrow N245 billion from financial institutions to fund the 2024 budget, and that he (Soludo) had on Tuesday presented a budget of N245 billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

    Reacting further on the development, Gov. Soludo urged Ndi-Anambra and the public at large to disregard and considered the report as pure fake news that has no source.

    READ ALSO: Community protests alleged conversion of ancestral land by Anambra govt

    According to the governor, the report is purely a fake news. “The current government of Anambra State under my watch has no and never planned to borrowed money to fund the ongoing transformation policies in the state.

    “I don’t not know where this report is coming from. I will interrogate my officials about it.

    “This administration under my able watch have a particularly view about borrowing and we have a very narrow stringing caleteral in borrowing. We can not borrowed for consumption, if we want to borrowed, we will borrowed for bankable projects and programmes that will add value not just for today but for the generation unborn.

    “In 2022, when I came on board, the State House of Assembly where we have our supplementary budget actually approved for us to borrowed a sum of 100 billion and uptil this moment we have not borrowed a Kobo out of that.

    “Last year, 2023, we have explicit in our budget of about ninty something billion deficit but we don’t borrowed a Kobo of that.

    “This year 2024, we also have budget deceit of about 121 billion and till this moment, we have not borrowed one Koko out of that. We are not dreaming to borrowed for fun sake.

    “We are working on projects that will be bankable. We are insisting that we borrowed for bankable projects that will have probability and possibility of generating returns to pay back in future.

    “So, therefore, the Daily Trust report of Anambra State government will borrow N245 billion from financial institutions to fund the 2024 budget in the state is purely a fake news and nothing short of that, the governor clarified.”

    Governor Soludo used the briefing to wish residents irrespective of tribe, ethic political and religion affiliations a happy 33-annivarsary celebration.

  • Cardinal Arinze visits Anambra for Soludo’s aide child dedication

    Cardinal Arinze visits Anambra for Soludo’s aide child dedication

    By Ovat Abeng

    His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze, on Sunday visited Anambra State for child dedication of Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha, Special Adviser to governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Youth Development.

    It was gathered that the child dedication that took place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church Nnobi, in Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, was also grace by Chieftains of APGA, PDP LP,  YESS members, Knights, members of Noble Club Nnobi, Government functionaries and captains of industries include, Protocol officer to governor Soludo, Mr Chinedu Nwoye, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Sir Paul Chukwuma, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, COOU acting VC, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, Dr. Mike Omenugha, State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Economy Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South, Hon Amaka Obi, her Awka North counterpart, Hon ThankGod Anagor, Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Aguata Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, actor Bob-Manuel, ASWAMA boss, Chief Mike Ozemena, Chief Jude Emecheta, among other well wishers.

    In his sermon during the dedication, Cardinal Arinze lauded Dr Omenugha alongside others who still remembered to dedicate their children, prayed and blessing them.

    According to him, a lot of people hardly remember to thank God having answered their prayers and only remembers him again when they are facing another challenges in life.

    The Eminence while calling on the parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, adding that children are special gift from God, hence the need for parents to give them adequate care and attention.

    He congratulated them and wished the child well in life.

    Speaking further on national issues particularly on youth restiveness, Cardinal Arinze, admonished youths to be wary of engaging in any international journey without proper planning.

    He noted that every country in the world has its peculiar challenge and that most times what people admire from afar is not as good in reality. According to the Cardinal, many Nigerians are today serving jail terms across Europe for one crime or another. “When I go for prison visitations, I see them. They greet me in a way that shows that they know me. They are in prison serving jail terms in Europe. That is not good,” His Eminence said. This situation, he regretted, is a direct consequence of desperate journeys and unplanned international travel because some people just believe that once they enter Europe, they will pick money from the streets. To guard against this, Cardinal Arinze said young people must be told the truth. “If you travel to Europe or America without a good skill or a good job, you are in trouble and that is why some of our people end up in jail because they go and get involved in one crime or another,” he said.

    The Cardinal who lamented that Nigeria’s profile has suffered from the activities of people who engage in desperate journeys, thereby getting into all sorts and in consequence, damaging the country’s image, also said that Nigerians are equally doing well. In several monasteries in Italy and other parts of Europe, only Nigerians presently occupy many of them, among other positive things that he outlined as being done by Nigerians in Europe.

    Dr. Omenugha while dedicating his child, Ms Chihotaram Nilsamary Omenugha, appreciated God for answering his prayer one and half year after marriage.

    “I want to thank God for answering my prayer after one and half year of marriage.

    “I will continue to worship God as long as I live and I pray God to give the resources and strength to bring her up in the way of the Lord,” he prayed.

    The SA who married his lovely wife in April 15th, 2023, also thanked his family members, colleagues, the media and other well wishers who stood and prayed with him and his wife throughout the period.

  • NSE commends Soludo on road infrastructure in Anambra

    NSE commends Soludo on road infrastructure in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Aguata branch, Anambra State have extolled the giant strides of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in Anambra State especially in road infrastructure which they say will go a long way in facilitating the growth of businesses and open up the hinterlands across the state.

    They gave the commendation during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the society and induction of eight new members held in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the State over the weekend.

    They said that all the interventions of Governor Soludo in key sectors of the economy including Education, Agriculture, human capital development amongst others are pointers that he is prepared to govern Anambra State and called on the people to continue with their support and prayers to his administration.

    Speaking further in her remarks, the Chairman of the NSE, Aguata branch, Engineer Rita Ofojama, explained that the essence of the ceremony is to reawaken the sleeping giant in engineers who have the intellect, creativity and resilience needed to transform the society.

    She expressed gratitude to the governor for being a pace setter in infrastructural development and appealed to him to donate a land to the society for the erection of their permanent secretariat and a vehicle that will aid smooth running of the Society.

    While declaring the event open, Governor Soludo charged members of the Society, Aguata branch, to deploy their knowledge and skills to sustainable development of Anambra State and advancement of engineering in the country.

    Soludo represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Youth Development, Engineer Martin Agbili, emphasized the need for men in engineering profession to be in the vanguard of proffering solutions to societal problems and urged them to partner his administration to drive sustainable development of the state.

    In her address, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Oguntala read by Engineer Agbili which centered on the theme of the ceremony which is “Roots to Successful Engineering Practice: Awakening the Sleeping Giant in the Nigerian Engineer, Engineer Oguntola called on engineers to embrace innovations, ethical practices, relentless pursuit of excellence, collaboration, and leadership in all their undertakings in order to succeed in the profession.

    She reminded them that the success of engineering profession hinges on their ability to adapt to global trend while remaining deeply rooted in the unique challenges and opportunities that Nigeria presents.

    Engineer Oguntala advised the new members inducted into the society to uphold the highest standards of engineering profession by playing a vital role in shaping the future of the country.

    On his part, the keynote speaker at the event, Engr Professor Johnpaul Iloh, regretted that a good number of certified engineers do not demonstrate attribute of creativity which is why they cannot solve societal problems and charged them to reactive their capacity to work in favour of the society.

    In her remarks, the immediate past Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Engineer Francisca Nwafulugo, described the ceremony as a welcome development and urged members of the society to always apply scientific principles to solve problems in the society.

    At the event, the state Commissioner for Works, Engineer Ifeanyi Okoma, the Transition Committee Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike, Prof Akaolisa Ezeagu of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and the former Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engineer Emeka Ezenwanne among others were honored with meritorious awards by the society.

  • Anambra Govt Organised Town Hall Meeting On Implementing Host Communities’ Provisions In PIA

    Anambra Govt Organised Town Hall Meeting On Implementing Host Communities’ Provisions In PIA

    By Ovat Abeng

    A-two-day Town Hall Meeting on Implementing Host Communities’ Provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act has been organized in Awka, with a call on host communities to see natural resources as a blessing and not an avenue for feud.

    The Paradise News gathered that the town hall meeting, put together by Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in partnership with African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development, is aimed at promoting sustainable development and addressing concerns of host communities and sundry stakeholders in the petroleum industry.

    Addressing participants drawn from the host communities, relevant ministries and agencies, the academia, partners among others, the commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his doggedness in ensuring that Anambra State gets is rightful share as an Oil producing state in Nigeria.

    Barrister Ifeanya, who noted that Anambra State Government, through the ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, targets to check, youth restiveness that characterized other Oil producing states, stressed that the natural resources should change the life of members of host communities, boost their economy and that of the state in general under harmonious and peaceful co-existence.

    In a remark, the Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development, Mr. Monday Osasah, said following the listing of Anambra State as an Oil producing state in Nigeria, they came to enlighten the host communities on the law that is guiding the Oil and Gas industries, for Anambra State to be a model to other states.

    While calling for more of such Town Hall Meetings, Mr. Osasah implored extractive companies to sponsor more of such assemblies and charged participants to listen attentively, garner as much knowledge as they can to improve their skills and attitude to work.

    Speaking on the overview of the Petroleum Industry Act, and Host Communities Provisions, the chief executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engineer Gbenga Kumulafe, who spoke through the head, Health Safety Environment and Community of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Owerri, Dr. Benjamin Okpa, while disclosing that the commission is saddled with the responsibility of implementing the law as it concerns Petroleum Industry Act, noted that they will ensure that the communities and the sectors do not cheat each other but maintain equilibrium.

    In his goodwill message, the executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, represented by the director, Policy, Planning and Strategy, of the agency Dr. Deter Bassi, urged extractive industries to ensure compliance with the provision of host community trust fund, which according to him, should be funded by three per cent of operating cost.

    While the community and security co-ordinator of an Extractive industry at Ogbaru, Mr. Osmund Aneke, described the meeting as an eye opener as host communities are enlightened on the benefits of peaceful dialogue and negotiations.

    The traditional ruler of Ezi-Aguluotu Aguleri, Igwe Lawrence Nwaofia, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers present, assured relative peace once there is absolute inclusiveness.

  • Anambra @ 33: Philanthropist extols Peter Obi, Obiano, Soludo, others

    Anambra @ 33: Philanthropist extols Peter Obi, Obiano, Soludo, others

    …Says state has made significant progress

    By Ovat Abeng

    As Anambra marks its thirty-three years of creation from the old Anambra State on Tuesday, 27th, August 2024, a philanthropist and technocrat, Chief Joseph Onuorah has paid a glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the new Anambra State.

    It was learnt that the current Anambra State was carved out of the old Anambra state which was made up of Enugu as at then on the 27th August, 1991.

    Speaking to our correspondent about the thirty third anniversary of the creation of the state, the Ndiowu Orumba North Local Government Area of the State business mogul said that the State has fared well in many sectors compared to its compatriots nationwide, but added that there are still rooms for more improvements.

    Chief Onuorah particularly extolled the different roles played by the former Governors of the state since 1999 til date, including the late Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Willie Obiano and now, Professor Chukwuma Soludo who is in charge of the affairs of the state.

    He pointed out that that the previous Governor’s played significant roles in the development of the state, as Mbadinuju administration laid so many solid foundations like the construction of the State House of Assembly, Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre among others, even as Dr. Ngige’s administration focused more on road constructions and payment of workers salaries among others.

    According to Onuorah, Mr. Obi’s administration was know has Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which he used to lay many signature projects in the state, including the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam campus, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku Awka, building of primary healthcare centres across virtually all the communities in the state as well as other projects.

    Chief Onuorah eulogized the administration of the immediately past Governor of the state, Chief Obiano for the building of the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, International Conference Cemtre Awka, establishment of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) among other legacy projects.

    He maintained that Governor Soludo’s administration within its two years has equally made a significant progress in road constructions, health care services, education among others, saying that Anambra has been blessed with focused and Committee leaders for couple of years now.

    Chief Onuorah noted that the State has become a shining example nationwide in both primary and secondary education, science and technology, industrialization and political stability.

    He called on Governor Soludo to do more in the areas of security, as adequate security is the only thing that will bring in more investors in the state and wished the government and good people of Anambra state a happy thirty third anniversary.

  • Nigerian Cable Market Growth Could Surpass Current 200 Billion Naira Value, Says Zobis Cable Boss, Ezeobi

    Nigerian Cable Market Growth Could Surpass Current 200 Billion Naira Value, Says Zobis Cable Boss, Ezeobi

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chairman of Zobis Electrical Wires and Cables, Engr John Ezeobi, has said that importers of substandard wires and cables into the country have been undermining the efforts of genuine local manufacturers of the product in Nigeria.

    Speaking in an interview with Journalists in Onitsha, Anambra State, over the weekend, Engr. Ezeobi said that the annual market value of cables and wires sold in open market amount to over N200b.

    But when considered against the backdrop of such other sectors like oil and gas, power and real estate which source their cable and wire needs directly from manufacturers, the market’s overall value significantly exceeds the N200b estimate.

    He said the potential of the industry is huge because as the country’s population increases, so does the demand for housing, infrastructure, and industrial cables and wires also increase.

    He lamented that the importers of  substandard cables and wires capitalize on the gap in the industry which has created demands for affordable alternative even as they failed to meet up with the standard.

    Consequently, he said, these unscrupulous importers have amassed billions of naira in profit even when they undermined the efforts of genuine Nigerian manufacturers.

    These substandard cables and wires, Engr Ezeobi said, posed significant risk because of the poor quality.

    In spite of these challenges, said the industrialist, they have continued to trudge on through strategic massive expansion and collaboration with the Nigerian government, expressing optimism that they would harness full potential of the domestic market.

    “The prospects within the industry are vast, and if effectively tapped , they could have a transformative impact on the national economy,” said Engr. Ezeobi.

    The ongoing demand for housing, he said, created a huge market for electrical cables and wires as every new structure requires these aspect of housing components.

    He said: “As the real estate market expands, the electrical cable and wire industry stands to benefit significantly, further fuelling Nigeria’s economic growth”.

    In the same vein, he said, realization of the full potential of the industry would help in employment generation, assuring that with proper support and investment, companies like Zobis Electrical Wires and Cables could expand their operations to meet both domestic and international demands.

    The chairman said this expansion would create need for factory workers, administrative staff, sales and marketing team and extensive network of distributors within and outside the country.

    Noting that the future of cables and wires is bright, Engr Ezeobi called on the Nigerian Government to prioritize the empowerment of electrical cable and wire industry in the country through supportive policies, infrastructure development and access to financing so as to realize the potential of the industry as well as dominate African market and compete on global scale.

  • Police Rescue 27-Year-Old Businessman Who Attempts To Commit Suicide Over N1.2m Debt

    Police Rescue 27-Year-Old Businessman Who Attempts To Commit Suicide Over N1.2m Debt

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra State Police Command have rescued a 27-year-old businessman who attempted to commit suicide because of his indebtedness to his business colleague.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, who said the incident happened on Friday, August 23.

    According to Tochukwu, the rescued young man, identified as Alozie John, who hails from Iselu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State but resident in Umunnachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, engaged the Police Command in a WhatsApp chat after he drank a poisonous substance hoping for death because of his indebtedness of one million, two hundred thousand naira (1,200,000) to his supplier of livestock products.

    He further stated that police after rescuing the man, debriefed him, and also rendered medical assistance to him, after which he was kept in safe custody for monitoring.

    The statement reads: “On 23/8/2024, Anambra Police rescued a young man who attempted to take his own life. He was debriefed, rendered medical assistance and kept in safe custody for monitoring.

    “The young man, who was later identified as Alozie John ‘m’ aged 27 years from Isielu LGA Ebonyi State but lives in Umunnachi, Dunukofia L.G.A., WhatsApp message was intercepted when he engaged the Command on a chat that he drank a poisonous substance hoping for death because of indebtedness of one million, two hundred thousand naira to his supplier of livestock products.

    “He further confessed that he deals with selling live Chicken and after he took the harmful chemical did not feel otherwise.

    “Meanwhile, his mother was contacted, and she is currently assisting the Police with evaluation, references and transfer to a better facility for proper and other necessary care of the boy.”