Paradise News

Tag: Anambra State

  • ECOWAS commences training of 150 youths on table-fish production in Anambra

    ECOWAS commences training of 150 youths on table-fish production in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has commenced training of 150 youths on table-fish production business in Anambra State.

    The flagged off ceremony took place at the Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) conference hall, along Enugu-Onitsha highway Awka, over the weekend.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, Mr Emeka Martins Iloghalu, the Managing Director, Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) and the programme coordinator in the state, said the training is expected to last for eight weeks and a total of 58, 768 US dollars with be used to execute the training project in the state.

    He said that the training cut across ethic, tribe, political and religion affiliations. According to him, the beneficiaries are between the ages of 15-35 years.

    Read Also: Student loan scheme to commence January 2024: Tinubu

    “The training programme is currently ongoing simultaneously across 15 ECOWAS – member countries.

    “The programme is in collaboration with Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) and Fisheries/Aquaculture Value Chain Development Partnership Center.

    “The training center is located at the Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbaukwu, in Awka North Local Government Area of the State.

    He said the table fish production business training sponsored by the ECOWAS commission is a human capital development component of the value chain development and has been programmed to produce competent and sound youth fish entrepreneurs to contribute in actualizing the already set production targets for the state and beyond.

    He added that Anambra State has set a target to be able to produce a minimum of additional 51,000 metric tons of Table-fish per annum to achieve self-sufficiency in line with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.

    Mr. Iloghalu, while calling on unemployed youths in the state to massively key into the programme, noted that at the end of the training, the successful trainees are expected to acquire knowledge that will enable them become self-employed in the future.

  • Woman sells grandson for N50,000 in Nnewi

    Woman sells grandson for N50,000 in Nnewi

    By Ovat Abeng

    A middle-aged woman, Oluchukwu Nwosu, has sold her three-month old grandson for N50,000 in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    When apprehended, she blamed economic hardship occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy for her action.

    She said the daughter who gave birth to the child had earlier given birth to two children and abandoned the babies for her to take care of.

    She said she sold the baby for N50,000, saying the other two sons were being cared for by the state community children’s home in Awka.

    Read Also: Ndigbo will reap benefits of Ubah’s defection to APC soon – Aide

    Sobbing profusely, she pleaded for forgiveness, saying, “This is the third time my daughter Ijeoma has conceived out of wedlock.

    “Due to our poor income we’ve had trouble feeding right from the time my daughter gave birth to the first baby.

    “We had no other option than to take the kids to motherless babies home, especially when our daughter refused to tell us who was responsible for her pregnancy.

    “I came across a buyer, one Tochukwu Asiegbu, who approached me, after bargaining, paid me the agreed sum.”

    Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, said the three-month-old baby sold by the grandmother had been rescued.

    She said the rescue followed report by the mother of the baby, Ijeoma Nwosu, who claimed her mother, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born and had refused to disclose his whereabouts.

    Obinabo added that those involved in the act had all been nabbed and handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

    She said, “Following receipt of the allegation, I quickly swang into action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

    “After barely one month of consistent intelligence surveillance by officials in my ministry, the offenders were caught.”

    Obinabo regretted the growing rate of illegal adoption of children despite government’s efforts to put an end to such nefarious activities.

    She warned that anyone found involved in any form of unlawful adoption must face the law.

  • Ndigbo will reap benefits of Ubah’s defection to APC soon – Aide

    Ndigbo will reap benefits of Ubah’s defection to APC soon – Aide

    By Ovat Abeng

    Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah’s media aide, Mr Kamen Chuks Ogbonna has said that Igbo land will reap the benefits of Ubah’s defection to APC soon.

    The Paradise News had earlier reported that Ubah had last week defected to APC from his former party, Young Progressives Party (YPP).

    Ogbonna in a press statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Monday, said already, there is a rush by politicians around Anambra to join APC, because of Ubah’s defection. He listed improved security in the South East as one of the benefits that will accrue to the zone, when Ubah begins effective liaison with President Bola Tinubu’s government.

    The statement read below:

    The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District ,Dr Ifeanyi Ubah CON, is known for going to where the terrain is tough to squeeze out political capital and trigger development for not just his Senatorial District but for Ndi Igbo in general.

    Read Also: JUST IN: ‘What Will You Gain If You Win?’ — Supreme Court Dismisses APM’s Case Against Tinubu

    In recent times, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah CON has championed the fight for the restoration of security to the entire southeast region.

    This he set about , in various ways, one of which was creating a model security architecture using Nnewi for the pilot scheme in order to showcase his belief that a secured Southeast region is possible where there is political will and the capacity to deliver. Today, Nnewi has emerged the safest city in the entire southeast region with the last new yam festival in the town, witnessing an unprecedented turnout and mass return from the people .

    Senator Ubah went on to travel to Germany (a country hitherto dreaded by the Igbo political class as a result of the notorious Ekweremadu treatment some years ago), where he held strategic meetings with our people living in diaspora, attended a cultural event and was also seen in a viral video joyfully playing the drum in the midst of several joyful igbo sons and daughters

    Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah CON has also since gone ahead to hold several meetings with key stakeholders both at home and diaspora and participated in the security summit organised by the Southeast Governor’s Forum where several regional stakeholders including Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and several members of the economic and political crème de la crème in igboland gathered to brainstorm on the way forward for the Region.

    His decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) after securing firm commitments for Ndi Igbo from the president Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR led ruling APC party is a master stroke that is set to start yielding huge results in the nearest future.

    That the Southeast region, with its five states, is controlled by four different political parties, serves as the clearest indication that the region has since lost its mojo, jumped off the political cliff and commenced a downward spiral away from national reckoning to the bemusement of the other regions.

    President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR’s strategic moves to bring the Southeast region back to national reckoning by giving us a sense of belonging again is by far the biggest show of good intent by a sitting President of the federal Republic of Nigeria in recent times.

    Today, this same president, through his recent appointments, has handed over the entire road infrastructural development in the country to ndi igbo by appointing two prominent and capable igbo sons as the Minister of Works and the Director General of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    This action by Mr. President is a sharp departure from what was obtainable in the APC during the previous regime.

    It is early days yet , and the proof of the pudding is in the eating but the glaring fact is that Senator Ubah’s decision to lead our dear state Anambra to the centre is a daring one , driven by his zeal to bring about a secured and prosperous Anambra and the entire southeast region

    It is a strategic move that should be supported by every son and daughter of Anambra beyond mundane political sentiments and emotional short-sightedness.

    Fortunately, our people are sophisticated when it comes to politics and know those politicians that mean well going by their previous track records

    The recent reports coming from the various wards in Anambra, of people rushing to quietly register with the APC since Senator Ifeanyi Ubah announced his defection to the party is the biggest prove that indeed when the Selfless is in power, the people truly rejoice and have no problems in lining up behind a shepherd that they can trust .

    It is yet another Monday in igboland, and many of our cities are going to shut down once again and lose huge revenues in Commerce as a result of insecurity,

    This too will surely come to pass.

  • NULGE urges FG to ensure accountability in distribution of conditional cash transfer

    NULGE urges FG to ensure accountability in distribution of conditional cash transfer

    By Ovat Abeng

    The President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Anambra State chapter Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe has called on the federal government to judiciously distribute the twenty-five-thousand-naira Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) it mapped out to cushion the effects of hunger to the real poor Nigerians.

    Comrade Adigwe who made the called while speaking to Journalist in NULGE’s State Secretariat in Awka, over the weekend, regretted the level of poverty in the country which he said that if not urgently addressed, may lead Nigeria into a catastrophic condition.

    He warned the federal government not to play politics with the cash transfer and ensure that anybody or family who is supposed to get the money is not shortchanged under any guise.

    The NULGE President expressed dissatisfaction with the way and manner the CCT was handled in the previous administrations, saying that it lacks accountability and credibility.

    Read Also: Pharmacists express worry over persistent increase in medicine insecurity in Nigeria

    According to him, Nigerian workers are the most hit in the current economic hardship in the country as their salaries, emoluments and arrears have not increased for many years or when increased, with a minimal token that cannot add value to their lives.

    He called on President Bola Tinubu led federal government to articulate policies and programmes that will permanently solve the problems of acute hunger, poverty and unemployment in Nigeria, as no form of palliatives will serve as a solution to the economic hardship in the country.

    Comrade Adigwe assured NULGE Anambra state chapter that they will continue to fight for their welfare at all times to ensure that whatever that accrues to them is not tempered with by anybody.

  • Pharmacists express worry over persistent increase in medicine insecurity in Nigeria

    Pharmacists express worry over persistent increase in medicine insecurity in Nigeria

    By Ovat Abeng

    Pharmacists are greatly worried that the lack of control of drug distribution in Nigeria which they say is in a chaotic state has continued to increase medicine insecurity in Nigeria.

    This anxiety and proffering solutions to the problem especially in Anambra state formed the major focus of discussions, lectures, speeches, and research paper presentations at the thirtieth Annual Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Anambra State Branch, in Awka, over the weekend.

    The theme, “Challenges and implications of medicine insecurity in a chaotic drug distribution system: The role of pharmacists”, speakers at the conference highlighted the indices of medicine insecurity to include scarcity and unavailability of essential and lifesaving medications, widespread circulation of counterfeit, fake, adulterated, and unwholesome medicines and the prevalence of open drug markets which are all at embarrassing levels in the country.

    They said that the situation will remain unabated until policy makers, industry stakeholders, and other health professionals recognize and include pharmacists in the scheme of things to manage the challenges faced in the medical system in Nigeria.

    Read Also: NANS commends Sen Ifeanyi Ubah defection to APC

    Leading the park in proffering solutions to the medicine insecurity challenge and in addressing the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria, a public health advocate and immediate past chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, Pharm. Chima Ogbu, in a keynote speech, stated that because public health crises do not recognize social classes, the solutions and the implementation of Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria Act 2022 must be carried out without pandering to personal, group, or sectional interests.

    Pharmacist Ogbu, who insisted that drugs can never be food and must only be administered by a professional, called on the Federal Government to set up a national body that will be responsible for gathering and sharing information on demands for and supply of medicines in the country.

    In their separate speeches, the National President of PSN, Prof. Cyril Usifoh and the Chairman of the Occasion, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo underscored the critical roles of pharmacists in addressing the state of the health sector in the country and emphasized that they must consciously and subconsciously support the implementation of policies developed to address unguarded and uncontrolled drug distribution.

    On the part of the Anambra State government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike reassured the commitment of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration to ensuring that the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, Oba and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub, Ogboji take off soon while expressing hope that when fully operational, the centre and the hub will greatly address the challenges of open drug market distribution not just in the state but in the South East region as a whole.

    Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Pharm. Josephat Obasi explained that the scientific conference which is in its thirtieth edition celebrates the excellence in the pharmacy profession in the state while expressing hope that the solutions advocated by the speakers at the conference will be properly applied and given the political will to reshape the public health status of Nigeria.

  • NANS commends Sen Ifeanyi Ubah defection to APC

    NANS commends Sen Ifeanyi Ubah defection to APC

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has commended Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for defecting from the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They believe this move is strategic and timely as Nigeria aims for inclusive governance and development.

    In a press statement signed by former President (Senate) of the student body, Comrade Innocent Chuks Okafor, and made available to journalists in Awka on Sunday, it was noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and political magnanimity were the driving forces behind Senator Ubah’s decision to join the APC.

    According to the statement, this defection signifies national unity and is a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history.

    NANS also commended Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and APC National Chairman Allahaji Abdullahi Ganduje for their efforts in ensuring Ubah’s defection to the ruling APC.

    Read Also: Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong pays condolence visit on families of Polycarp Eke, Gershom Davies, Effiong Ekpe

    Comrade Chuks Okafor is optimistic that joining the ruling party will attract more Federal Government presence to the South East Region and other benefits.

    The statement also highlights Senator Ubah’s commitment to changing the political narrative in the Southeast region.

    The former student leader described the Senator representing Anambra South as a consummate and progressive politician, a strong advocate for human capital development, and a representative of the people.

    According to Okafor, “NANS applauds him for his bold step and believes that his blueprints align with the APC-led federal government Renewed Hope agenda.”

    Okafor also provided insight into Senator Ubah’s political journey, highlighting his prioritization of the development and progress of the Southeast region rather than personal recognition. Throughout his political career, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has been a member of various prominent political parties, with his main focus always being the advancement of his region. He made significant contributions to the Labour Party, PDP and APGA in the past, and later gained popularity for his involvement with the Young Progressives Party (YPP), where he successfully won two elections to represent Anambra South as a Senator.

    Senator Ubah’s recent decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is motivated by his unwavering commitment to championing the interests of his constituents and ensuring that the dividends of democracy benefits his region.

    Comrade Okafor also extended his congratulations to the Oil magnet and the founder of Capital Oil and Gas (Ubah) for his recent legal triumph in the case against AMCOM, which resulted in the return of his company to him. He also urged other influential political figures from the Southeast to align with Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and support his aspirations and initiatives for the interest of the Southeast region.

  • GUO driver allegedly attacked by thugs attach to Soludo’s aide in Anambra

    GUO driver allegedly attacked by thugs attach to Soludo’s aide in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Some persons described as political thugs, who are attached to an aide of the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo (name withheld), on Friday assaulted a commercial driver for overtaking the aide’s convoy.

    The Paradise News gathered that the incident happened in Awka, while the governor’s aide, who has been described as controversial and troublesome, was driving past the expressway.

    An Awka resident, Mr Chibuike Uloka, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, and even in possession of video recording of the incident lamented that thuggery has become official, under Soludo’s administration, despite his continuous claims of extinguishing it in Awka.

    He said: “When you hear Professor Charles Soludo speak in his baritone voice, “Agbero ga ana,” consider that an irony and, in fact, an assurance of the Governor’s regime importing more touts into Anambra State to continue their abuse and intimidation of citizens.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s defence headquarters claims troops killed 37 suspected terrorists in one week

    “With an estimated 50,000 touts, Anambra State today has become the headquarters of touts in the country, surpassing even Lagos State. It’s also the state with the highest disregard for citizens’ rights despite being governed by a professor.

    “Today, an ordinary driver working with GUO Transport Company was attacked with a machete and nearly lynched by Soludo’s touts.

    “The GUO driver’s offense was simply overtaking the emperor and mini-dictator named on a Federal expressway.

    “He instructed the Soludo-armed touts working in his office and protected by the police and Civil Defense officers to block the GUO vehicle and assault the driver, as can be seen in the video. The Driver is currently in the hospital battling for his life and survival.”

    Uloka said such incidents were becoming rampant, adding that a similar incident happened recently at Ngozika Estate in Awka, where another government official ordered the police and touts following him to abuse and intimidate road users simply for sharing the road with him.

  • 40ft container falls, crushes woman to death in Onitsha

    40ft container falls, crushes woman to death in Onitsha

    By Ovat Abeng

    A yet-to-be-identified woman has been crushed to death by a 40ft container which fell from a rolling trailer at the ever-busy Eze-Iweka area near Upper Iweka Bus Stop, along the Onitsha-Owerri Road on Thursday.

    According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when the truck, which was parked by the roadside, while goods were being offloaded, suddenly rolled off without a driver inside it.

    It was gathered that while the truck was rolling, the 40ft container it was carrying fell and crushed the woman standing by the roadside, thereby trapping her on the ground.

    A source said more casualties were further averted as the traders who saw the truck rolling quickly fled the scene, but the victim was not lucky.

    Read Also: I am the new YPP national leader – Anambra lawmaker, Ike

    As of the time of filing this report, the dead victim was still trapped under the container as rescue efforts were ongoing.

    The acting Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Margaret Onabe, who confirmed the incident, said it happened at about 3pm.

    Onabe attributed the cause of the crash to brake failure, adding that the police team were making efforts to get a crane to lift the 40ft container.

    She said, “An unidentified driver of a commercial Mark trailer at about 15:08hrs on Thursday, was involved in a road traffic crash. The probable cause of the fatal crash was break failure.

    “According to eyewitnesses, the truck was packed, while goods were being offloaded and all of a sudden, it rolled off without a driver inside and hit one person.

    “One female adult was involved. She was killed by the 40ft container the trailer was carrying.

    “The FRSC rescue team from RS5.3A1 Upper-Iweka Outpost, Anambra state rushed to the accident scene along with the Awada police team making efforts to get a crane to lift the 40ft container where the road traffic crash victim was trapped.

    “And efforts are still in place to get the driver of the truck amidst the Awada police division who are also investigating for necessary actions.”

    She added that the Sector Commander in the state, Corps Commander Adeoye Irelewuyi, sympathised with the family of the dead victim.

    “The sector commander seriously warned motorists to desist from disobeying traffic rules and regulations, emphasising that regular maintenance of vehicles to minimum safety standards to avert this kind of crash that occurred. Drive to save your life and the lives of others on the road,” she cautioned.

  • I am the new YPP national leader – Anambra lawmaker, Ike

    I am the new YPP national leader – Anambra lawmaker, Ike

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Lawmaker representing Nnewi North Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Onyekachukwu Ike, has said he is now the new acting National Leader of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

    He said he has already started parading himself as the leader of the party, following the defection of the immediate past National leader of the party and the serving Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District at National Assembly, Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah to the ruling-All Progressive Congress (APC), recently.

    The lawmaker made his position known to Journalists shortly after receiving a humanitarian service award from the Faculty of Art, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, held at Asuu-unizik event centre on Thursday.

    According to Hon Ike, the defection of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the ruling-All Progressive Congress APC, is for the good of Nnewi North Constituency, Anambra State, the South East geopolitical zone and the country at large.

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    To be honest with you, the defection of the Senator is for good. It is a political calculations and it should not be play with emotions.

    “As a politician, I have every reason to remain in my great party, YPP. In fact, you can see that I am already parading myself as the acting National leader of YPP.

    “I don’t have any reservation against Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, joining the APC. I believe that it is for the good of all Nigerians.

    “Further consultation to emerged the substantial leader of the party is ongoing nationwide.

    “So I have every reason to remain in YPP. I am a YPPian.

    “I charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of YPP across the country to remain calm and united at this critical time, he stated.

    The lawmaker used the occasion to announced that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has promised to a General Hospital in Nnewi, the industrial city of the State.

  • COREN applauds NigerCAT on quality road projects in Anambra

    COREN applauds NigerCAT on quality road projects in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), Anambra State Council, has commended Niger Construction Limited (NIGERCAT), on the quality of road projects the company is currently handling in Awka, Anambra State Capital.

    The commendation was made by the State Chairman of COREN, Engr. Victor Meju, shortly after the body inspect all the roads projects the company is working on, within the Awka metropolis.

    Meju, urged the company, been one of the oldest construction company in Nigeria to maintain it global standard.

    According to the Chairman, from our assessment today, as part of COREN mandate, what we have witnessed in all the roads construction site was marvelous and satisfactorily. We saw quality assurance projects been driven and deliver by NigerCat. We are hopeful that by December 2023 the roads particularly, the ever busy Unizik junction road by Enugu-Onitsha highway-Goodwills junction Okpuno road will be completed and officially Commission as promised by the company management.

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    NigerCat indeed has showcase their expertise and competence in delivery this people-oriented projects in Anambra State.

    “The company has done 63 percent of work on the roads and we are hoping that they will deliver by December this year or latest January, 2024.

    “They are totally in-compliance with global practice.

    “Nigeria, NigerCAT has demonstrated it competency and we are hopeful that the roads will last for 20-years.

    “We commended the company for engaging qualified indigenes and non-indigenes local engineers on the ongoing road projects .

    “We also commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for founding NigerCat worthy of handling the projects, Meju stated.

    The NigerCat State Project Manager, Mr. Samer Nabbout, in his brief appreciation response, assure that the ever busy Unizik junction road by Enugu-Onitsha highway-Goodwills junction Okpuno and other roads under their watch, within the Awka metropolis will be, by God’s grace completed and officially Commission by December, 2023.

    He said the establishment of COREN in Nigeria has help curbed further incidents of building collapses and quackery in the Construction Profession.

    Mr. Nabbout noted that one of the vision of NigerCat is to become a leading construction company Nigeria.

    The Chief Monitoring Officer of the road projects and Awka Community leader, Prince Ekene Michael, who also spoke during the inspection, thanked the NigerCat for employing 39 indigenous engineering personnel.

    He urged Awka residents to keep supporting governor Soludo through prayers.