Tag: Anambra State

By Ovat Abeng

Elders from Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, has accused the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters Tony Collins Nwabunewanne, of imposing town Union Leadership on them.

They alleged that the Commissioner deployed people from their neighboring communities of Abacha, Eziowelle and even Abakaliki people residing within the area to vote against the wishes of Nimo people in the just concluded Nimo Town Union Election, held on January 4th, 2024.

The elders under the auspices of Nimo Elders Forum, made their position known in a communique jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Ogbuefi Akuluouno Ayiba, Secretary, Ogbuefi Akuchukwu Muo and it Public Relations Officer, Ogbuefi Fred Awagu, during a press conference, held at Georan Hotel and Suite Nimo, on Friday.

They expressed displeasure with the way the Nimo Town Union elections were observed in breach by the Hon Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Matters, Hon Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, on January 4, 2024.

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They described the development as an administrative rascality by Mr. Commissioner

According to them, what happened on January 4 were not elections but a flagrant abuse and rape of the Nimo Constitution. You must agree with us that any society not governed by laws will be like animal society.

“The Nimo Town Union Elections were originally scheduled to hold on December 27, 2023, a date usually set aside for such by the town’s constitution. But that day the town’s constitution was turned on its head in a manner that suggested a hidden agenda by the Commissioner.

“First, he said that those who had served the first of their two tenures as VP 1, 2 and 3 should not re-contest and they were disqualified against the provisions of the town’s constitution that stipulates two tenures. This is very strange.

“This decision was taken during a meeting in Awka presided over by the Commissioner with those he handpicked.

“Secondly, on the day of the elections a court order originated by a party, dissatisfied with his disqualification, was served on the electoral committee which, acting on it, announced the postponement of the elections. The chairman of the electoral committee and the secretary explained to the Commissioner that they would not go ahead with the elections because of this court service but the Commissioner went ahead with the exercise without the electoral body. Another strange development.

“Against the provisions of the Nimo Constitution, the Commissioner conducted the elections with an improvised register, asking the few people around to write their names and quarters. This led to strangers from Abacha, Eziowelle and even Abakaliki, writing their names and were allowed to vote.

“Now we ask, can elections be conducted in Nigeria without the electoral body and without a voters register? The Nimo Constitution provided that only those who are financially up to date can vote and be voted for. This was thrown aside by the Commissioner.

“Again there was a court suit querying the qualification of some candidates which was ignored too.

“For example, Engr Daniel Anakpe who was later declared the winner of the President General (PG) election by the Commissioner, only attended the meeting of the Nimo National Assembly once as against three years prior to the election year as enshrined in the Nimo Constitution. Some other candidates for other positions had same issue but were cleared in error by the electoral committee, while few others didn’t even purchase the form nor were they screened, but Mr. Commissioner allowed them to contest as against the Electoral Committee guidelines and as the Town Union Constitution provides.

“Efforts were made by people to be shown the register where those candidates marked attendance to meetings but the registers were not produced by the Nimo Town Development Union, NTDU, on the grounds that the Electoral Committee had postponed the election due to the assumed irregularities surrounding the election which metamorphosed into litigation.

Before then, one of the candidates for Vice President (VP) 1, Hon Chigbo Anadebe, who was a member of the electoral committee, had been suspended for partisanship and he has not yet accepted his suspension, but he went ahead to contest for the election without buying form or being screened.

“Again, another of the VP candidates just joined the Town Union about 4 years now but has never attended the Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU) General Assembly meeting for once but the Commissioner allowed him to contest for the election.

“The Nimo Constitution provided for secret ballot which the Town Union Electoral Committee adopted but the Commissioner insisted on Option A4 for his assumed inordinances.

“Also, the Commissioner has no right to conduct an election as he’s only supposed to be an observer but he conducted such in Nimo and this amounted to what we call administrative rascality.

“In all, we reiterate that the Nimo Town Union Elections were marred by gross irregularities and constitutional breaches and cannot stand.

“We therefore, as peace loving and concerned elders of the town, call on Mr Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to not only call his Commissioner to order, but to put machinery in motion for the rescheduling of the elections as and when due.

“We insist that the process must be right so that justice will be served. It is total bastardization for your Commissioner who knows the law to come to Nimo, a great Community that has produced Supreme Court Judge (Justice A.I. Iguh Rtd), Chief Justices of Anambra State (Justice A.I. Iguh Rtd, Justice F.G.C. Uyanna Rtd and Justice G.U. Ononiba Rtd), Appeal Court Judge (Justice Chinwe Iyizoba Rtd), host of other Judges, SANs, over 10 Magistrates, over 100 Lawyers, over 30 Professors, over 55 Medical Doctors of high repute, Federal and State Permanent Secretaries and Directors, and a host of other dignitaries, and Mr. Commissioner out of his inordinacies made himself a demigod simply because he is married to a Nimo daughter and threw Nimo into anarchy and lawlessness; what an administrative and conjugal rascality!

“We trust on the sagacity of Mr Governor to do the right thing, address this anomaly and call Mr. Commissioner to order, knowing full well that Nimo Community is Soludo, and Soludo is Nimo Community.

“As we eagerly await the actions of Your Excellency Prof. Charles Soludo in curtailing some excesses of Mr. Commissioner, using Nimo and Neni as a case study of his administrative high-handedness. A stitch in time saves nine,” the elders concluded.

By Ovat Abeng

Anambra State Police Command said it arrested 30 suspects for alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other crimes in different parts of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye, disclosed this  while briefing journalists at the State Police Headquarters Amawbia-Awka, on Monday, on the activities of the Command before, during and after the 2023 yuletide season, adding that all the suspects we be prosecuted as soon as possible.

He said that the crimes were committed across the 21 local government areas of the state.

He explained that operatives of the command arrested 9 suspected armed robbers, 12 suspected kidnappers, 6 suspected cult members, 3 suspected insurgents.

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“We also rescued 2 kidnapped victims, recovers 40 ammunition and 11 vehicles from the criminal gangs within the period under review.

The Commissioner also updated the press on the gun duel that occurred on the 28 December, 2023 at Uga Community in Aguata Local Government Area of the State  between the Enugu State Police operatives and hoodlums that lead to death of two officers.

“So, on December 31st, 2023 the State Command went after the hoodlums at their camp at Ogboji in Orumba South Council Area of the State, where three of the hoodlums were killed, in the process two police officers were also injured and they are currently receiving treatment.

He explained that the area commanders and divisional police officers in the 21 local government areas were directed to beef up security architecture in their areas of supervision to curb the activities of criminal elements during the season.

Adeoye noted that the Command under his watch is working assiduously to ensure that all the entrances that connected Anambra with other neighboring states of Enugu and Imo, where the hoodlums are suspected to be operating from are blocked completely.

He appealed for support and cooperation from members of the public to give them information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in their midst.

The CP equally solicited the continued support and cooperation of the media on accurate dissemination of information to the public.

By Ovat Abeng

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that the focus of the new management is to strengthen the operations of the agency and reposition it for improved service delivery.

Professor Anosike was speaking on Monday, 8th January, 2024, while declaring open a 3-day NiMet management retreat in Abuja.

“The overriding objective of the 2024 NiMet management retreat is to strengthen collaborative relationships amongst staff of the agency. It’s time to dismantle the imaginary walls and silos built internally over the years which has been stifling  productivity. The retreat will give us all a good understanding of the work NiMet does. The science of meteorology should be treated and handled with all seriousness because of its importance and impact on lives, properties and on the economy”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike encouraged the participants to be active during the retreat and make contributions that will help NiMet to achieve its mandate efficiently. “Despite prevailing economic challenges, there are opportunities in the external environment for NiMet.

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“We should aim to reduce wastage in our operations, prioritize spending, and improve our internally generated revenue”.

Concluding, Professor Anosike reminded the participants that although NiMeT’s services are directly related to weather and climate in Nigeria, however, forces that drive environmental changes have shown that NiMeT’s activities impact all aspects of the Nigerian economy”.

The Objectives And Expected Outcomes Of 2024 NiMet Management Retreat include,

“Provide an Overview of Public Service and Expectations.
Provide insight into the NIMet Establishment Act (2022) and the potential opportunities.
X-ray the Structure of the Agency in line with its Establishment Mandate.
Provide overview of strategic technical departments/units.
Create awareness on the Agency’s international affiliations and obligations.
Provide adequate sensitisation on the Agency’s collaborations and stakeholders engagements.
Achieve a well-informed and action-ready top management of the Agency.”

Also, at the end of the retreat, participants should be able to,

“Be acquainted with the mandate of NiMet as an agency and its obligation with national and international partners
have a clear understanding of NiMet products and services and their importance across all weather vulnerable sectors and contributions to sustainable national socioeconomic development.

“Have an in depth understanding of the operational structure, processes and relationship between the various directorates and assist in their seamless integration into the agency’s management system.

“Be equipped with the requisite knowledge to carry out their respective functions as directors and members of the management team with ease and effectiveness prepare the directors adequately for the task ahead to ensure smooth day-to-day running of the agency’s affairs.”

The retreat information was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists on Monday by the DG’s media aide, Dr. Uche Nworah.

By Ovat Abeng

The Senator, representing Anambra North Senatorial District at National Assembly Abuja, Senator Tony Nwoye (Labour Party), has empowered about fourteen thousand constitents, with empowerment materials worth millions of naira.

The items donated by Nwoye include engine boats, sewing machines, engineering kits, granding machines, bags of fertilizers, bags of rice, generator sets and cash.

Nwoye said the gesture was part of his resolve to empower his people to reduce crime and unemployment in the Senatorial District and beyond.

He said he was disturbed each time he saw people, especially youths, roam the streets because they had no jobs.

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According to the Senator, what I am doing here today is to give back to the society and to thank God for seeing me through the February 28th, 2023 general election that makes me who I am at the moment and not for a political campaign.

“The beneficiaries, mostly, the youths and farmers cut across political parties in all the seven local government areas; Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South that constitute Anambra North Senatorial District.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Dr Nwoye restated that the gesture was aimed at giving back to the society, that has done so much for him, and he went down memory lane on his humble beginning, appreciating those especially, Prince Arthur Eze and Mr. Peter Obi whom he noted has touched his life in one way or the other toward contributing to what he is today.

Dr Nwoye said it was also to bring his people out of poverty noting that people of his Senatorial District who are predominantly farmers need all the help they can get to push through life.

He advised them especially the youths to put the tools to maximum use as he pledged to make the gesture a regular programme for a better society.

In an interview with Journalists shortly after the event, the Lawmaker representing Onitsha North in the State House of Assembly, Hon Patrick Okafor, praised Nwoye for his magnanimity, saying the Senator had endeared himself to the people.

He urged him not to relent.

Some of the beneficiaries including Chief Syvester Onukwu, Mrs Gloria Edu and Chuka Nwabudu expressed special thanks to their benefactor for thinking of such moves and said that at least 60 percent of the population of the youths are now empowered to be self-reliance.

They also appreciated him for what he is doing in Anambra as a whole in terms of helping in the provision of some amenities, saying that there is need for other politicians to develop their areas since government alone cannot do everything.

It was gathered that the empowerment programme which took place at the All Saint Cathedral Church Field Onitsha, on Sunday begins with a Thanksgiving Services at the Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Onitsha respectively.

The event also has in attendance, Mr. Peter Obi, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Afred Achebe, all the Traditional rulers from Anambra North, Bishop Valerian Okeke, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Bishop Paulinus Chukwumemeka Ezeokafor, the Senator representing Enugu East, Senator Kevin Chukwu, Senator Victor Umeh, the Lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon Afam Ogene, the State Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Ogochukwu Emeh, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Labour Party supporters, among others.

By Ovat Abeng

Umunya community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State has conducted its town union election to determine the leaders who will pilot its affairs for the next three years.

The election took place at Central School field, Umunya, on Friday.

The election, conducted through option A4, saw the emergence of High Chief Ekwugha Chinedu Gilbert, (Nwachinamelu na Umunya), a Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA in the State as the new President-General, having elected unopposed following the stepping down of his closest rival, Mr Ifeanyi Akolue.

The election attracted youths and adults from the community who turn out in large numbers for the exercise.

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Other posts contested for include the post of Vice President General, which Mr. Nwakunobi Nonso won and Mr. Vincent Okafor became the Secretary General, Mr. Mbanugo Sunday, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Mr. Anajemba Samuel, Treasurer, Mr. Chidebere Nwankwo, the post of Public Relations Officers goes to Comrade Peter Onuigbo while Provost 1-2 positions have Smart Nwani and Okafor Cyprian as winners respectively.

In his acceptance speech the new President-General, Chief Gilbert, thanked God for the grace of winning and promised that he will work together with his other executive members for the progress of the community.

He said his administration will focus more on education, security, electricity supply and empowerment programmes for women and youths in the community.

He assured of running all-inclusive administration.

The Vice-President-General, Mr. Nwakunobi Nonso, on his part, noted that there will be a difference in the leadership of the community, as they are all out to serve.

The returning officer, Bishop Dr. Chidozie Nwachukwu, in his brief speech, advised all to join hands together for growth and development of the community not minding who won or lost.

He thanked governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for ensuring a conducive environment during the exercise.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Oyi Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Nweke, expressed his commitment to supporting the incoming leadership and called for concerted effort in moving the community forward.

Mr. Nweke declared the election free, fair and credible.

The electoral process was closely observed by government officials from the State Ministry of Local Government/Chieftancy/Community Matters, Officials from the Association of Anambra State Town Union, ASATU and Security Personnel.