NIGERIAN NOTCH

From Raymond Ozoji The attention of the traditional ruler and of Umueri kingdom in Anambra-East local government area of Anambra state have been drwan to a malicious report on the social media where some faceless disgruntled elements claimed that the community has an armoury where it allegedly stored guns and ammunitions for reasons the author(s) of the said report could not justify. Furthermore the said report equally alleged that some youths had lost their lives over what they interpreted as the face-off between the traditional ruler of the community His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Ben Izuchukwu Emeka ( Okebo ii of Umueri ) and the President-General of Umueri Town Union Chief Pius Ejimofor Okonkwo where both prominent individuals had disagreed over the ownership and control of the purported armoury . The traditional ruler of the town HRM Igwe Sir Ben Izuchukwu Emeka by this press release declares that the allegations of an armoury in his domain is false and to all intents ...

As part of effort to sustain the  ongoing peace initiative being spare headed by the Commissioner of police Zamfara state Command CP Usman Nagogo psc+ in collaboration with the state government, the Commissioner of Police on the 19th of July, 2019, brokered another unprecedented peace building meeting that got the attendance of Vigilantes, Yansakai, Sarakunan Fulani, Ardos, Civilian JTF and other stakeholders, which was presided over by the Commissioner of Police at the Palace of Emir of Birnin Magaji. The Commissioner of Police in his opening remarks reaffirmed that, the ongoing peace and dialogue initiative which started from Gusau through series of meetings and interactions with all the warring groups is being carried out with all sense of sincererity, Justice  and commitment which led to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state. He assured the Emir and the people of Birnin Magaji that the police will not rest on their oars until lasting peace and security are r...

His Excellency Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha has delivered his first speech to Ndi to highlight on the achievements of his government since he was sworn in as the executive governor of Imo State on the 29th of May 2019. Protocols This is the first enlarged stakeholders meeting since I was sworn -in as your Governor, and Hon. Engr Gerald Irona as Deputy Governor on 29th May, 2019. It is therefore a great honour and privilege to welcome you all. Today’s event is in keeping with our commitment on openness and communication with you to regularly bring you to date with the happenings in our administration particularly the journey so far and some of our plans and challenges going forward. In doing this, we are open to genuine criticisms and suggestions on how best to serve you better. We consider it of utmost importance to lay before you the facts we have met on ground and the enormous efforts required to address them. This is necessary in order to keep the records straight for posterity an...

Imo State governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, has stated the determination of his administration to make the state the cleanest in the federation. The governor who spoke at the government house, Owerri, on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the Planning, Sensitization and Implementation Committee for the July, 2019 clean-up exercise, said the health of the state's citizens was threatened by unhealthy environment. He said that between 2008 and 2011, the state was adjudged the cleanest in the country by the federal ministry of environment. He decried that in the last 8 years, the state had become one of the dirtiest. Gov. Ihedioha thanked the committee headed by former governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, for accepting the responsibility and expressed confidence that the former Imo Chief Executive will lead the committee "in style". "I thank all of you for accepting to render this voluntary service to our state. When the chairman of this committee w...

The traditional ruler of Ihiala in Ihiala LGA of Anambra state HRH Igwe Sir Thomas Ikenna Obidiegwu(Oluoha XVII) last Monday  received  Uzoakwa community, Ihiala, ably led by the Chairman of Nze na Ozo  of Uzoakwa,Hon.Osy Obijekwe. Uzokwa is made up of 10 clans with each headed by a village head.  While receiving  Uzoakwa delegation , the traditional ruler of Ihiala who was recently given certificate of recognition by the Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, thanked God for making it possible for him to ascend the throne, a feat that would have been impossible without the people of Uzoakwa community.  He stressed that Uzoakwa community in Ihiala plays a pivotal role in every project of Ihiala and promised to carry them along in a the activities of his reign.  He sued for lasting peace in the community, stressing that he has opened his doors for reconciliation of any aggrieved member of the Ihiala, who was not pleased with the turn ou...

The immediate past Chairman of Nnewi Butchers Association,Chief Amobi Nnoruka (Ogbuefi Okwuanasoanya) has officially handed over to the newly elected officials of the association, now led by Chief Uchenna Okafor. In his valedictory address at the handing over ceremony held at Chief Amobi Nnoruka's residence, in Okponuegbu Umudim Nnewi, Chief Amobi Nnoruka thanked God for making it possible for him to pilot the affairs of the butchers in Nnewi for 8 years without any issues. He thanked members of the association in Nnewi for the support and assistance given to him, which made it possible for his smooth sailing, through out the period of his stay in office, as no case of epidemic surfaced as a result of cows that were sold to people in Nnewi axis. He congratulated the new Chairman and his excutives , Chief Uchenna Okafor, prayed that God will give him the strength, and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the association in Nnewi. In his acceptance speech, Chief Uchenna Okafor t...

…Seeks continued partnership with Japanese Government Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has enjoined Imo citizens to always take advantage of their contacts and positions to attract development to the state, reiterating  the readiness of his administration to partner with such persons or organizations. The governor stated this at the commissioning ceremony of the 100 solar powered street lights, built and donated to the people of Ezeagbogu, in Ezinihitte LGA by the Japanese Government in corroboration with Development Dynamics and Ufotonnie International Ltd, on Tuesday. He maintained that his administration is focused on encouraging Imolites and foreigners to join in the rebuilding project for the benefit of all and sundry. "I associate myself and Government of Imo State with positive developments for the good of our people. I thank our brothers who facilitated this project. It is a matter of fact that development is influenced, so when you have a pri...

From Chibuike Onyeukwu Less than three weeks after His Excellency, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, assumed office, a columnist in an Owerri-based newspaper queried why he was yet to flag off a “major project”! A few days later, another commentator in a rejoinder argued that while “projects” are important, they must be distinguished from “edifice mentality” which, according to him, was the bane of governance in the state for eight years; and wherein the people were made to see halls and squares as the hallmark of development. Today, if we are talking of edifices, Imo would likely rank the first among the 36 state. But unknown to the hapless citizens of the state, the buildings and squares are standing on top of a massive financial and procedural filth. Before, I continue, let me note that we insiders of the new administration appreciate the charges that we seem to prefer to look back instead of looking forward – whatever that means. Of course, the administration of Hon. Ihedioha is inevit...

The CP of Anambra Police Command has called to order warring parties in a land tussle in Umuali Akanator Omor and Ereator Igbakwu communities. It will be recalled that on the 13/7/2019 at about 7:am,there was a communal clash between Umuali Akanator Omor and Ereator Igbakwu communities occassioned by perennial Land dispute between the two neighbouring communities all in Anyamelum LGA of Anambra State. It was gathered that four persons sustained injuries, one house was set ablaze and three motorcycles burnt, in a release made available the PPRO SP Haruna Mohammed.  The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command CP John B. Abang fdc based on information made available to the command immediately ordered for the deployment of PMF /SARS/ANTICULT personnels and other conventional police to augment the Anaku Division who brought the situation under control and normalcy restored in the Area. Consequently, in order to find lasting solutions to the problem, the Commissioner of Pol...

It was also gathered that about 45 per cent of former cabinet members will return to take Buhari’s policies to the ‘Next Level’. Of course, the list is as controversial as it is surprising to some who are close to the president. For example, it was learned that the president has picked Great Ovedje Ogboru to represent Delta State in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) against the choice of Festus Keyamo. In Oyo, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi makes the list, leaving former Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu, and governorship candidate, Adebayo Adelabu, according to a source, ‘in the lurch’ Amongst those lucky to return are former Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola; Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Aviation (State), Hadi Sirika; Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Finance, Zainab Ahmed. Others are former Ministers of Education, Adamu Adamu; Water Resour...

Imo State government has disclosed its readiness to send a Bill to the State Assembly that will make Igbo Language a compulsory subject at all levels of education in the state. This disclosure was made by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Gerald Irona, while receiving a civil society organisation, Green Pathway Initiative in his office in Owerri at the weekend, saying the idea is to preserve the culture of the Igbo ethnic group, especially the language. Irona, who spoke in Igbo language, lamented what he described as the decline in the use of Igbo language, assuring that the new administration would do everything possible to urgently remedy the situation. His words: “Every tribe has an identity. One of the identities of a people is their language. It is unfortunate that a lot of our children neither speak nor understand Igbo language. I commend the Igbofo group for their efforts in preserving the Igbo language. It is a step in the right direction. I will discuss the details with criti...

The airwaves last week carried the position of Imo state government to adopted a TSA, otherwise known as Treasury Single Account. Looking at the colossal loss of funds and the impunity that characterized the last government of Rochas Okorocha in Imo state, the decision came at the right and proper time. Imo State Governor's readiness to sign an Executive Order which will allow for the use of Treasury Single Account by the State Government,is a commendable development, which has shown that the government of the day in Imo, wants to be accountable to the people of the state. It leaves no one in doubt, where the government of Emeka Ihedioha is headed to, towards the rebuilding of the state. The governor directly said it was imperative following the discovery of over 250 accounts in various banks operated by the Rochas Okorocha led government, a situation that is no longer accepted in all ramifications. It is our thinking and believe that the TSA will help to eliminate leakage...