NIGERIAN NOTCH

Nnewi Market leadership reads riot act to touts, fake insurance brokers Leadership of the Fairly Used and New Motorcycles Dealers Association, (FUNMDA), Nnewi, Anambra state, has frowned at the activities of touts and fake insurance brokers that have taken siege of the market; warning them to stop their illegal activities and sharp practices or face the wrath of the union. President of the market association, Mr. Eloka Ubajekwe, gave the warning  at the weekend during an emergency meeting of the market where he addressed traders and the supposed market touts and fake insurance brokers, in the presence of his executive members. He said that the leadership of the market had observed with dismay how the aforementioned had, over a long period of time, adopted sharp practices that fleeced majority of the customers of their hard earned money, as well as the attendant loss to the real traders/dealers. According to Ubajekwe, the business of the "hustlers", who have no shops ...

Anambra govt  disbands AMATAS, constitutes new market body The Anambra state government under Governor Willie Obiano, has disbanded the Amalgamated Market Traders Association, AMATAS, the umbrella body of all markets in the state, which had piloted the affairs of markets in Anambra state for the past twelve years. The state government had consequently, reconstituted the defunct Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA; and go further to inaugurate its 34 member leadership under Mr. Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, former chairman of Onitsha Main Market, as its President General. Other members of the market body include Jude Agumadu, Ist Vice; Obinna Okechukwu, 2nd Vice; Chinwendu Ezeigwe, Woman Leader; Rosemary Anazodo, Secretary General; Nelson Ojukwu, Treasurer; and Ikechukwu Victor Orizu, Welfare Officer. Chief G.U Okeke, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka will also serve as patrons to the market body. The ASMATA, as reconstituted, will have t...

Chief Medical Director Assured Of Move To Permanent Site Soon The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, says its medical services would soon kick-off at its permanent site to decongest the temporary site. NAUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Anthony Igwegbe, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in Nnewi said the hospital had outgrown its temporary site in terms of manpower and services it provided. Igwegbe said construction work was ongoing at the permanent site located between Nnewi and Oraifite communities. He expressed optimism that very soon, partial movement would commence and some clinics would be relocated to the new site, including the outpatient department. He told our this paper that when the movement begins, the inpatients would remain at the temporary site until there are enough buildings and facilities that could accommodate them. “This is the first phase of our movement that we hope to accomplish soon....

Hon Nonso Okafor, member representing Nnewi North LGA at the Anambra  state house of Assembly  has moved a motion calling on the state government to intervene on the issue of excess estimated bills of EEDC. 100 foot road erosion menace and the need to situate a zonal office of Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) in Nnewi, for the proper maintenance of roads in the commercial cum industrial city. This motion was moved at the 2nd pleanary of the 7th Assembly this 18th day of June, 2019. Nonso Okafor is smart, Nnewi  nwere madu.

......as Chief Wille Obiano intervene, in the confusion instituted by Dubem Obaze rages. The traditional ruler of Ocheuche Umuodo community in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state has called on his to subjects remain calm, as the governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano has intervened in the matter, of unwarranted confusion instigated by Chief Dubem Obaze and his brother Oseloka Obaze through the unlawful instigation and installation of another person as traditional ruler after he was crowned on the 24th of April 2019, by the people of Ocheuche Community.  He said that the brigandage by Dubem Obaze and brother runs foul to the process of crowning and recognition of a traditional ruler in Anambra state.  He pitted Dr Steven Akpati who have allowed himself to be used as a tool to bring confusion in the community, and wondered why Dubem Obaze and his brother with go this far, after a their long years of public service in Anambra state. The traditional ruler e...

Pope Francis has lamented what he calls today’s “culture of insults” in the world. Pope Francis In his homily during Pentecost Mass Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, Francis also decried that “the more we use social media, the less social we are becoming.” He warned of the temptation to cling to “our little group, to the things and people we like,” saying it’s only a “small step from a nest to a sect, even within the church.” The pope said that “nowadays, it is fashionable to hurl adjectives” in what’s tantamount to “a culture of insults.” He recommended responding “to malice with goodness.” Francis also said the Catholic Church risks becoming a mere organisation with propaganda as its mission instead of a mission to foster joy and harmony.  

A former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, fielded questions from reporters in Lagos on the 26th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the recognition of June 12 as ‘Democracy Day’ and the imperative of electoral reforms. Excerpts:  *What is the significance of June 12 as Democracy Day and public holiday?* The significance of June 12 is that the June 12, 1993 election created the current political dispensation we now enjoy. It was the sacrifice made by Basorun MKO Abiola, who refused to compromise and surrender the mandate given to him by the entire country. It is also a celebration of some of our heroes and heroines who lost their lives in the struggle for the creation of sustainable democratic norms in Nigeria. I say this because NADECO that is the father and mother of this democracy was founded, not just to claim the mandate of MKO Abiola, but the original philosophy of NADECO was to fight for respect for democracy in Nigeria. The seco...

More than 1,500 concerned Nigerians, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) have filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court to “restrain, prevent and stop the National Assembly Service Commission from paying the incoming members of the 9th National Assembly individually and/or collectively over N4.68 billion as ‘welcome package’.” SERAP, BudgIT and EiE, suing for themselves and on behalf of 1,522 concerned Nigerians, stated that: “The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has failed to do any downward review of salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly since 2007 in spite of the economic downturn in Nigeria. Yet, the commission is statutorily required to review the pay of the lawmakers, in conformity with the country’s economic realities and to achieve fiscal efficiency.”

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has directed that all Financial Institutions that have relationship with the Imo State Government should not honour any withdrawal instruction by cheques, transfers or in any form. No financial mandates, ISPOs or any form of financial instruction should be treated. All outstanding financial instructions already with banks and financial institutions should be put on hold. This directive covers, but not limited to, all the accounts of Ministries, Departments, Parastatals, Local Government councils, Quasi-government Agencies, and all revenue generating organs of government. Banks and non-bank financial institutions are to take note and ensure compliance as the state government will not be responsible for any disbursement effected contrary to this directive. This directive will remain in force until otherwise advised. Heads of government agencies, departments, parastatals, permanent secretaries and relevant officers will be held responsible...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has stormed the house of former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and his wife. Okorocha had on Wednesday predicted his arrest while warning that he will fight back at all plans to silence him. The commission also sealed his Eastern Palm University, Ogboko.