Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has bowed to pressure mounted by groups and Imolites seeking for immediate probe of the administration of ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim.
Addressing a group known as Joint Action Group (JAG), comprising of keke operators, mechanics, transporters and artisans that had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum for Ohakim’s probe at the house of assembly complex, Owerri, Gov. Owelle Rochas disclosed that government has decided to make public the activities of the former governor within 14 days.
He said “Let me inform you the decision of the present administration to bring justice to bear following your protest over the activities of the past administration. Nobody has negotiated to cover the activities of ex-governor Ohakim within the four years he governed the state, rather it may interest you to know that the panel set up to look into the activities of the former governor has just presented its report. Within the remaining 14 days of your ultimatum, we shall make Ohakim’s activities in government house known to the public”.
Gov. Okorocha who posited that it is worrisome that Ohakim did only 3 uncompleted projects and 87 kilometer of roads also uncompleted in four years, added that government will ensure that the funds stashed away by the former governor are recovered for the development of the state.
“I want to thank you for your patience so far. Honestly, I agree with you that it is worrisome that Ohakim did only 3 uncompleted projects in four years and 87 kilometer of uncompleted road project. So, the money must be somewhere and if that money is recovered, it will help to make Heath-care services free in addition to free education programme” Gov. Okorocha said.
He urged them to be law-abiding as the security agencies and other relevant authorities are set to ensure that the former governor faces the full wrath of the law.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Rev. (Mrs) Ngozi Amadi, said they are disappointed that the state government is yet to take position on the former governor after it issued a 21-day ultimatum last week.
She said “Your Excellency, instead of arresting and trying Ohakim, we have his men still gallivanting and threatening fire and brimstone. Our leadership have been receiving threatening calls but never will that derail our call for justice. If this is democracy, then we every right to call our leaders and ask for what is reasonably attainable. It is true that we commend your revolutionary feat in transforming our state; we surely will not rest on our oars until those who looted our treasury are brought to book”.
Rev Amadi maintained that ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim’s squandered public funds on non-existent Oak Refinery, Midwest Airline, Dredging of Nwaorie River, Oguta Lake Resort as well as diverted substantial sum of the N18.5 Billion Bond.
She, however, lamented that it has become worrisome and insulting to hear Ohakim claiming that he invested N25.7 Billion on President Goodluck Jonathan during his election as such would not be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Okorocha Bows to Calls for Ohakim’s Probe
Egypt protest: Morsi advisors resign amidst reports of killings in Cairo violence
Opposition groups claim two people were killed after supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi clashed outside the presidential palace in Cairo. The escalating tension has reportedly brought three of Morsi’s advisors to resign.
RT’s correspondent Tom Barton reports “a pandemonium” in front of the Ittihadia presidential palace, where a violent standoff between rival demonstrations continues.
The Health Ministry says at least 221 people were wounded in Wednesday violence across Cairo, while opposition groups claim two people died in the clashes outside Ittihadia.
Thousands of Morsi supporters and opponents attacked each other with petrol bombs, stones and sticks outside the president’s residence in Cairo. Gunshots could be heard, reporters said, describing the scene as “a disaster zone.”
Security forces had to boost their presence at the scene in a bid to separate the rival parties, but demonstrators continued swarming in from different directions.
Demonstrators have also set fire to and attacked a number of Muslim Brotherhood offices throughout the country, according to local media. Offices in Ismailia and Damietta, north of Cairo, were attacked. Molotov cocktails were thrown into offices in Zagazig and thousands from the opposition are marching to the party’s headquarters in Suez.
The volatile situation led to the resignation of at least three more advisors to Morsi including Dr. Seif Abdel Fattah, Ayman Sayyad and Amr Leithy.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Muslim Brotherhood called for a rally backing President Morsi in front of the presidential palace, while leftists planned a counter-protest there. Initial reports from the scene suggested that demonstrators were clashing with police. Now it appears the violence flared up after a thousand-strong pro-Morsi column marched into the square where the president’s opponents were staging a sit-in and attempted to “cleanse the place.”
Muslim Brotherhood supporters destroyed the opposition’s tent camp. Security Forces appeared on the scene two hours into the clashes forming human barriers to separate the warring sides, say local media.
Sporadic scuffles in Tahrir Square were also reported.
The violence broke out shortly after President Morsi returned to the palace. Despite the recent developments, Morsi and his office insist the constitutional referendum will proceed as planned on December 15. Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekky said that “the door is open” to amend the disputed articles of the Constitution ahead of the referendum.
“There must be consensus,” Mekky said, expecting a dialogue to begin soon with the opposition to end the crisis.
“The demands of opposition protesters must be respected,” he noted, adding “I am completely confident that if not in the coming hours, in the next few days we will reach a breakthrough in the crisis and consensus.”
The opposition aliance has reportedly turned down Mekky’s suggestion unless Morsi’s recent declaration is retracted.
An injured Egyptian opposition protestor (C) runs as he is surrounded by members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi during clashes with anti-Morsi demonstrators on the road leading to the Egyptian presidential palace on December 5, 2012.(AFP Photo / Mahmoud Khaled)The crisis forced several privately owned TV channels to break a strike to cover the clashes. ONTV, ONTV Live, Dream TV, Dream TV 2, Al-Hayat Network and the CBC network planned a blackout from 6pm to 12am on Wednesday to object to clauses in the draft constitution related to press freedoms. But as the clashes unfolded, the broadcasters resumed transmission, reports Ahram Online daily.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi carry an injured comrade during clashes with anti-Morsi protestors on the road leading to the Egyptian presidential palace on December 5, 2012.(AFP Photo / Mahmoud Khaled)On Tuesday, Morsi was forced to flee his residence after violent clashes broke out between demonstrators and police. Around 10,000 demonstrators gathered near Morsi’s palace in Cairo to protest his decree granting his office vastly expanded powers, and a draft constitution that was quickly adopted by his allies.
The demonstrators dubbed their siege “the last warning” demanding the decrees be cancelled.
Violence on Tuesday saw 18 people injured, with police firing tear gas to stop the crowds from assaulting Morsi’s residence. Hundreds of anti-Morsi demonstrators then moved to Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square to spend the night in a tent encampment erected almost two weeks ago.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi try to extinguish a fire as they clash with anti-Morsi protestors on the road leading to the Egyptian presidential palace on December 5, 2012.(AFP Photo / Mahmoud Khaled)Journalist Wael Eskandar told RT he is worried that the government will not adequately respond to the ongoing clashes.
“There’s no presence of the police or military at all, despite weapons that we can hear and see,” he said. “Fighting the authorities was clear to the protesters, but now they are fighting other civilians. This could develop into a more chaotic situation.”
Eskandar said that the anti-Morsi protesters are being chased away by Muslim Brotherhood supporters who use rocks, Molotov cocktails and even “shotguns.”
“So far the anti-Morsi protesters aren’t armed,” he added. “I’m not sure, but if some of them would feel that they require arms, and if they get arms, it might get really bloody.”
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi carry an injured comrade during clashes with anti-Morsi protestors on the road leading to the Egyptian presidential palace in Cairo on December 5, 2012.(AFP Photo / Mahmoud Khaled)
Rural Women Day in Anambra: Obi’s wife empowers thousands on fish farming and poultry
From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi
Thousands of women from Anambra state are empowered on fish farming and poultry farming by the wife of Anambra state Governor, Mrs Margarete Peter-Obi. Mrs Obi shared thousands of fingerling and feeds as well as a day chicks to the rural women during International Day of the rural women in the state.
The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Margaret Peter-Obi made the celebration unique. The programme is a United Nations (UN) programme to recognize the critical roles and contributions of rural women in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating poverty.
The state under Governor Peter Obi through his wife has employed all avenues of empowering rural women to end poverty and hunger. She coordinates her activities through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , Lady Henrietta Agbata informed on why this year’s rural women’s day was celebrated at Anambra East local government area Headquarters, Otuocha. It was to enliven the spirits of communities in the flooded communities in the seven local government areas in Anambra North where the flood effect was highest.
She said other programmes of the ministry of Women Affairs like the Family Day and the School Social work were fused into the International rural women’s day celebration. That made the event a cynosure of all eyes as thousands of women and school children as well as couples thronged the council area.
According to Director Social Welfare , Mrs Rose Udeagabara, the theme- Family Unity: Implication for proper child upbringing was Anambra’s theme but the International theme for the rural women day was ‘’Empower Rural women , end hunger and poverty while the theme for the International family day celebration was ‘’Ensuring work –family Balance’’. Her co-planner of the event, Director Women Affairs, Mrs Maria.N Ezeanuna said the themes were apt.
They said that the School Social work is targeted at enhancing the academic performance of students; enhance emotional and psychological growth of students through those charged with responsibility of dealing with school children at homes, schools and communities.
In her speech Governor Obi’s wife expressed gratitude to the rural women who thronged the venue from the over 177 communities in the state to showcase the agricultural product they had the unique selling points on.
She was happy that despite the flood the women from the flood ravaged areas were able to participate and added colour to the celebration. She reiterated the state government’s continued efforts to ensure that its government remained the most gender friendly state in Nigeria.
Obi’s wife insisted that her husbands government gave women 35 percent in his cabinet even as she encouraged women in authority to ensure they uplift other women to enable them appreciate that women are ‘something’ today against the believe in the past.
On the family day celebration she described family as wonderful and charged parents especially mothers to ensure their children are useful to the society rather than become failures. She advised that little time should be spared with children at doing their home works. She bestowed award to the best couple of the year Chief Mark C.R Eriobuna from Ihembosi and best family worthy of emulation Engr Sir Philip and Lady Elina Okika from Awka. She appealed to women to be role models in their families.
Mrs Obi later inspected the various food crops, tubers and other species on display by the various local government areas before distributing thousands of bags of poultry feeds known as chicken mash as well as thousands of day old chicks and thousands of fish feeds and fishes-fingerlings to rural women as empowerment schemes. They were also given pumping water machines for dry season cultivation of vegetables among others.
In her address of welcome the state commissioner for women affairs and social development lady Henrietta Agbata extolled Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Peter Obi for the motherly love and care she has shown to her ministry.
The commissioner noted that the two themes are very apt, particularly at this period of economic recession. She stated that there is need to equally empower rural women and for all to work together in order to maintain a balanced family.
“In the bid to ensure that we reduce poverty and maintained a balance family, His Excellency has undoubtedly empowered the women folk in Anambra State, through the following: Grants to our 15, 000 women, distribution tools (sewing machine, palm oil, processing machine, welding machines, grinding machines, refrigerators, baking ovens, hair drivers, soap making machines, water pump machines, poultry and feeds to empower women to over 1, 500 skilled women and youths.
Chairman House Committee on women affairs/Member Representing Awka North constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon Rebecca .U Udorji and Permanent Secretary in the women Affairs Ministry , Ms Francisca Chikwendu and Chairperson Anambra State Association of Town Unions Women Wing ,Dr Chinelo Okechukwu all lauded the efforts of Obi’s wife in galvanizing and empowering rural women to fight poverty and hunger.
Hon Udorji charged the women to spend much of their time with children at home, noting that lack of commitment on the side of women has contributed immensely to the deplorable condition of our society, youths restiveness and also promoting moral decadence. The lawmaker, however, appealed to them to maintain their position in their family as they women are the family builders.
Chairman on the occasion Hon Justice Vero Ngozi Umeh , Administrative Judge of Otuocha warned on the dangers of negligent of duties by parents and encouraged all to live above board in the family matters as the children watch.
Transition committee chairman of Anambra East LGA Hon. Chinedu Obidiegwu, that of Awka North Hon Joy Enweluzor and Njikoka who doubles as chairman of chairmen , Hon Daza Udeozor expressed satisfaction on the way the organizers planned and executed the programme. They applauded the state government’s drive to ensure that hunger and poverty are reduced to its barest minimum and thanked the government for keeping up to its promises.
In their separate paper presentations entitled family unit: Implication for proper child upbringing by Dr. Mrs. F.O.O Nwazor, proper supervision of our children to prevent bad habits by Mr. Odimgbe Obinwanne and primary school health by Mrs. N. Ekwugha, they attributed the moral decadence which has engulfed our society to lack of proper supervision of our children, laissez faire attitude and approach of parents especially women towards their children. They remarked that quest for materialism has brought about damage homes children with lack of parental guidance, care as well as hooliganism.
Recipients of the best couple of the year and best family , Chief Eriobuna and Engr Okika expressed surprises at the award which came to them without prior knowledge that they were being watched. They appreciated the Obi administration for the level playing ground.
Highpoint of the occasion was given out of award of recognition to the best couple of the year also cultural display from the people of the council area not without a sign that the post flood rehabilitation is going to be tough as they lost everything.
Boko Haram: Obasanjo’s Call for Military Option, Defective – Cleric
Leader of the Triumphant Fellowship Church, Aba, Apostle Lawrence Tashemi, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for military option in the fight against terrorism as defective strategy which cannot solve the problem.
In an interview with our correspondent in Aba, the cleric commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.
It would be recalled that the former president at the 40th anniversary of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s call to ministry at the Word of Life Bible Church blamed Jonathan over what he described as his ‘weak’ approach to insecurity challenges facing the nation.
Obasanjo said, “They (Boko Haram) stated their grievances and I promised to relay them to the authorities in power, because that was the best I could do. I did report. But my fear at that time is still my fear till today. When you have a sore and fail to attend to it quickly, it festers and grows to become something else.
“Whichever way, you just have to attend to it. Don’t leave it unattended to. On two occasions I had to attend to the problem I faced at that time. I sent soldiers to a place and 19 of them were killed. If I had allowed that to continue, I will not have authority to send security whether police, soldier and any force any where again. So, I had to nip it in the bud and that was the end of that particular problem.”
Apostle Tashemi maintained that Obasanjo has not really understood the issues involved in the act of terrorism, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan should adopt the carrot and stick approach.”
“In principle, the military option (using violence to confront violence) is not the ultimate. Boko Haram should be viewed from the following perspectives: the religious philosophy, the political dimension, and the economic aspect of it.
“The suicide bombers are products indoctrination-somebody brainwashed them. The person who indoctrinated them, in my view is the real enemy and should be apprehended.”
The cleric called for value re- orientation on the sanctity of human life and fear of God.
“Religious leaders should be involved in telling them the consequence of their actions. Also, there should be attitudinal change in politics. Politics should no longer be a game of do or die.”
“Those who are elected political offices should use such to advance the lives of the common people. They should stop seeing it as opportunity for self- aggrandizement and enrichment at the detriment of the majority,” he stated.
Auchi attack: Oshiomhole wants Police probed
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate how criminals sacked the Police Area Command and Divisional Police Station, freed inmates and held Auchi town in Edo North hostage for over three hours with no response from the police.
The Governor who made the call yesterday during an inspection of the First Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, soldiers’ quarters and the police formations attacked by bandits last week Auchi, said there is need for the police to do a soul-searching to see if there are no men within the police who did not compromise security.
According to the governor, “to think that a police station with arms could be attacked and the police could not gun down one criminal gives cause for worry.
“I was not happy that the police had to park the Armoured Personnel Carrier behind the Area Commander’s office instead of being at strategic locations in Auchi town. It shows that the police are not using the funds given to them maximally. I am not impressed because the APC ought to be in operation.
“The fact that the APC was packed at the back of the station and bombed there means that it was not put to maximum use. It is unacceptable. They should begin to account for their negligence of duty, incompetence or both. Until we begin to do that, this lamentation will continue and criminals will continue to operate and demystify the state and make us look like a collection of mushrooms that can be consumed with minimal efforts.
“I believe the police will have to do investigation to reassure us that we are safe. The fact that they can attack two police formations and do that kind of damage shows the need to revisit the role of policing and their operational order,” he said.
The governor however praised the Army for the five soldiers who repelled the attack and killed one of the bandits who attacked and attempted to bomb a private residence where the soldiers reside.
“The point has been made that if you attack a military base you will pay a huge price. For me, that is a little relief that one of the bandits was killed by the soldiers in the sense that his identity will help us to assist the security agencies in their investigations,” he noted.
The governor expressed shock at the sheer guts of the criminals, saying that investigations being carried out by the security agencies will help to unravel what happened.
“The security agencies are investigating and I have no reason to believe that their investigation will not lead to positive outcome that will help us to identify these criminals. But much more important is to learn the right lessons from the incident to take security issues more seriously than has been the case.
“I am troubled by what I saw, but we are not giving up. The criminals cannot win; they must be defeated and brought to justice. Let reassure your highness that the irreducible responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property. If government cannot protect lives and property, then we are in trouble.
“I accept responsibility as the Governor of Edo State for what happened. We have a duty to contribute in ensuring security. I do hope that you appreciate that what has happened is not because of wont of efforts, it is in spite of efforts.
“We have spent our meagre resources at the level of Edo State government to support the Police by providing vehicles and even communication gadgets. We have set up ‘Operation Thunderstorm’ and persuaded the President and Commander-in-Chief to allow the Army to join the Police to complement the efforts of the Police to patrol the cities across the state.
“Ordinarily, the Army should not be involved in civil policing but because of the sheer deficiency on the side of the Police, we had to get the Army to reinforce the Police. This is why you have seen soldiers manning the Operation Thunderstorm. We will continue to provide support for the Police, we will continue to pay allowances to officers and men who are involved in patrolling; we will continue to ensure that the Police must search their ranks to ensure that we don’t have criminals wearing uniforms, providing sensitive information to criminals that seems to help them to achieve the kind of damage they have done here without the criminals counting their losses.
“We must ask more fundamental questions on the role of the Police and insist on responsible answers. Everything must be done to ensure that Edo State does not become part of the high security zones in the country.
“I’ll like to commiserate with the people of Auchi Kingdom. My heart goes to the families who were killed, and in particular, those soldiers whose only reason for being where they are is to watch over us so that we can keep our eyes closed.
“I’m calling on the Police authorities to do proper internal investigation and ensure that those who were negligent are brought to book.”
The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe 111 said he praised Almighty Allah that although the bandits operated for over three hours, they succeeded in taking money from only one of the three banks attacked and he congratulated the governor who has done everything to ensure the security of the state.
He said to complement the security agencies, the government set up vigilance groups. He however lamented that the vigilance groups did not have arms to repel the criminals and defend the community.
He said a way out of the present security challenge is for the government to liberalise the law on weapons so that everybody can defend himself.
The traditional ruler disclosed that he is aware that approval has been given for the deployment of Mobile police men to Auchi which is the fastest growing community in Nigeria with boundaries with other states and for about a year now they are not there.
He prayed Allah to bring perpetrators of the criminal act to justice saying “anybody who has come to this community to do this harm will come to justice, Insha Allah. Almighty Allah will bring them to justice.”
Why we sealed off TV station —Edo Tax Board
Edo State Government said it sealed off the premises of the Independent Television/Radio (ITV/Radio) in the state because of outstanding tax liabilities to the tune of over N12 million.
In a statement signed by Courage Eboigbe,Head Media, Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, the agency said: “based on a subsisting court order, the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue sealed off the business premises of Independent Television/Radio (ITV/Radio) this morning for failure to pay accumulated tax to Edo State Government from 2005 to 2010.
“The outstanding tax liabilities of ITV/Radio to Edo State Government amount to N12,882,596.43.
“Indeed, all well-meaning residents of Edo State appreciate the concerted efforts of the Adams Oshiomhole administration to rebuild the state. As a matter of policy, the administration has deployed enormous resources to build social infrastructure with a view to creating more enabling environment for businesses to thrive. It is only reasonable that corporate citizens assist the government by fulfilling their tax obligations to sustain the progress.
“To be sure, the Board wishes to reassure the public that it will continue to enforce the tax law without fear or favor.
“At some point in the past, the Board had had cause to seal off NTA, NDDC, PHCN, UBTH, NPDC, Union Bank, First Bank, Mainstreet Bank among others. These corporate citizens have since settled their liabilities to the state government and are operating freely in the state.”
Federal Government Pays Lip Service to Prison Reforms, Says ANPP
The All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] received with interest news in the media yesterday where the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, said that 70 percent of inmates in Nigerian prisons have no business there because they are awaiting trial. This is a manifest admission of helplessness and incompetence by the Government as regards the nation’s prisons and correctional service sector. At this time in the life of our great country, when insecurity and socio-economic uncertainty reign supreme, weak and porous correctional infrastructure is the undisputed fodder to the surging wave of crime. Our party wonders whether the Federal Government is aware of the criminals it is inadvertently breeding in our jails.
The overall intent in establishing prisons was to rehabilitate criminals by teaching them personal discipline and respect for work, property, and other people. Fundamentally, the philosophy and practice of the correctional institution is to punish the bodies of criminals less and improve their souls more, but a situation where prisoners in Nigeria are exposed to inhuman conditions, with many of them wasting without trial, is a travesty of civilization and affront on human dignity. But most significantly, it is gross insensitivity on the part of the PDP led government.
Our great party believes that when the true essence of the penitentiary is abused or neglected it loses its objective of reforming errant citizens and sanitizing the polity. Today we are accosted with a situation where people convicted and jailed for unserious crimes come out hardened, ready and willing to commit more heinous crimes against the country and fellow citizens. In the same vein, affluent public officers convicted for serious crimes, helped by an unjust and incompetent correctional infrastructure and administration, end up getting punished like juvenile delinquents and come out ready to commit worse crimes. What more can engender a confused, insecure nation than this?
The ANPP hereby calls on the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the prisons reform Bill to enhance effective reforms of the prison system in the country. It should also focus on areas of crime and punishment in the ongoing Constitution Amendment so to align with the current security challenges of the nation. As a party, we believe that the Justice System is not complete without an efficient, just and competent correctional system.
Signed:
Hon Emma Eneukwu
National Publicity Secretary
ANPP
Around Ojukwu, the legend, an ethical house, ACN sues for decorum on initiative of Igwe Orizu
Action Congress of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter has noted with deep concern the degenerate attendance of negative publicity, after the name, candor and dignity of our illustrious son and father in Anaigbo, which in our considered view is avoidable.
The world over, there are thin lines between heroism and villaincy. In the circumstance it is easy to allow those who thrive on individual and sub-group interest to perforate gaping holes in the image of Ezeigbo Gburugburu, hence lowering the profile attained by the Igbo nation in the last one year.
We are discerning and appreciative enough to understand that the commemorative events of the last one year which have reverberated n over 250 great cities of the world has made the name of Dim Chukwumeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu a tradable asset, which all sons of Anambra State and Anigbo cherish with all their heart and therefore ought to be able to defend by all means at their disposal.
Being a tradable asset, we need to observe that nations and sub-nations have been known to go to war to defend their assets and as such, it is our considered view that the name of Dim Ojukwu Ikemba Nnewi, Dike di Ora mma Ndigbo and Ezegburu Guru Igbo, must be protected against all sorts of assailment by interested parties in the enclave of the biological and political family .
In doing this, we do no suggest the censorship of the press nor desire to shield individuals with blood and political ties to the late Ikemba Nnewi from pursuing their micro-interests tied around the subject. Such will be impracticable. But the scions of Ojukwu can do more of meeting behind closed doors than firing individuals shots in the media.
What we find,not just practicable, but expedient is that the larger interest of the Igbo nation who now have a vested interest in keeping this valuable name holding out vast potentials for our joint economy particularly in the areas of history, preservation and tourism should give rise to a eminent group to urgently create clear ethical boundaries in pursuit of these little interests against the weight of the larger image of our legend.
Unfortunately ,we note with pain that the political leaders of at least Anambra and Imo states as well as the last wife of Ikemba are all involved one way or another in one pursuit of interest or another in this matter.
We therefore call on the Traditional ruler of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, and Igwe Orizu to step in and seize the initiative to call all biological and political sons of the late Ikemba Nnewi to come under one roof and provide them with some home wisdom .
This glowing image must never sink under the resurgent wave of negativism, which would gladly be celebrated by centrifugal tendencies against Igbo core values in and outside Anigbo with representatives in major sectors including the media.
He may wish to invite the governors of Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi to assist him along with a few eminent taken from across the Igbo nation, particularly outside the rank of those with direct vested interest.
For: ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA, ANAMBRA CHAPTER
Okelo Madukaife
HIV infection is preventable –Dr. Ekiyor’s wife
As Patani LG Mark 2012 World AIDS Day Celebration
By Ikpibako Shepherd
Nigerians has been urged to join hands to fight the spread of the deadly disease Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) by knowing their HIV status and taking needed preventive measure.
Mrs. Gloria Ekiyor wife of Patani Council Chairman made this appeal on the occasion of declaring open the 2012 world AIDS day in Patani Headquarters Patani Local Government Council, Delta State.
Her words, “we should be reminded that HIV infection is preventable. We all have our individual roles to play as parents, guardians and children in this regard by delaying sexual activity among the young and unmarried, using certified latex condoms regularly and correctly, avoiding the sharing of needle or other instruments used for piercing the body, and more importantly knowing your HIV status by being tested”.
The Council first lady noted that poor dissemination of information about AIDS at the grassroots have made many casualties or victims of this deadly disease. She called on all stakeholders to be involved in the enlightenment campaign. According to her “this enlightenment must not be left to Government alone. It must not end here. Civil societies, Non Government Agencies, Religious groups and all humanitarian organization must be involved in this global effort to stop the spread of the deadly disease. I wish to call on our religious and community leaders to use their various fora to increase awareness among our people”
Kogi: Fresh suit instituted against Governor Wada
A fresh legal battle challenging the nomination and declaration of Captain Idris Wada as the governor of Kogi state commenced on Tuesday before a Federal High Court sitting Abuja.
However, the governor through his counsel, Chris Uche SAN has urged the court to dismiss the suit for being an abuse of court process and that the plaintiff lacked locus to institute such suit.
A former Ward Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party PDP( Odu Ward1) in the state , Yunusa Omagada had through his counsel, Bola Aidi dragged the governor,PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to court seeking the nullification of the election that brought in Wada as the governor of the state.
In a writ of summon filed by the plaintiff,he is praying the court for a declaration that Wada is not a fit and proper person to be nominated by the PDP to the INEC as its standard bearer for the December 3, Governorship Election in Kogi State.
He also wants a declaration that the nomination of Wada as the Governorship candidate of the PDP to the INEC is mala fide, null, void and of no consequence whatsoever and also a declaration that some information contained in INEC form as deposed to by the 1st Defendant is false.
The plaintiff also wants a declaration that the nomination and consequent purported election of Wada as governor of Kogi is in breach of the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.
Omagada therefore prayed the court for an order declaring the candidature of Wada to the PDP in the Kogi State Governorship election of 3rd December, 2011 null and void ab nitio as being in breach of the provisions of Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as Amended.
He therefore prayed the court to allow the application.
In his preliminary objection to the suit, Wada challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit submitting that plaintiff did not have any locus standi to institute such suit because he never participated in the election and that he had failed to show how the emergence of Wada as the governor affected him.
He added that the fresh case was a gross abuse of court process adding the suit was the same as the as the one filed by one Abalaka which the court had earlier dismissed.
He further stated that the only difference between the new suit and the one earlier dismissed by the court was the change in the name of of the plaintiff .
Chris Uche also submitted going by the time the suit was filed and the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, it showed clearly that the matter was a post electon one which the court did not have jurisdiction to entertain.
He noted that the suit was filed in March, which was almost four months after the general election was conducted.
He cited Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution which provides that only the election tribunal can entertain any post election matter.
He therefore prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
The presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello adjourned till Febuary 20 for ruling.
