Category: News

…Says govt to take full responsibility for music legend’s upkeep

….Ejeagha: Mbah honoured me, prepared ground for Gwo gwo gwo ngwo trend

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Monday, commissioned four newly constructed and reconstructed roads in Abakpa Nike, in Enugu metropolis, among them the Mike Ejeagha Crescent where the music legend lives and the adjoining, popular Obinagu Road, which he renamed him.

Other roads commissioned were Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road, and Nkpor Street.

Mbah, who also used the occasion to visit Ejeagha at his residence, announced that the government would henceforth take full responsibility for his upkeep, describing him as a living legend.

“Recall that when you gave us your mandate, we told you that you had kept your own part of the deal and that the burden had downshifted to us to fulfill our own part of the social contract.

“Recall further that we made a firm pledge that all the roads in the urban areas in Enugu must be paved.

“Recall also that last year,n we awarded 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads. Those 71 urban roads had since been completed, but some of the roads we are commissioning today are not part of those 71 roads.

“In the course of constructing or reconstructing those 71 roads, we identified, in January, some roads, which were not initially captured, hence needed to be treated as an emergency.

“So, we are commissioning four roads here today and all those roads are quite significant.

“But one of those roads stands out. It is the road that leads to the home of one of our great legends and icons.

“We have always told people that Enugu State is the home of legends. It is not just sporting legends. We also have the music icons. And we have one man, Mike Ejeagha, who, through his folk songs, have largely brought memories of years gone by to our doorsteps. He is a man who reminds us of our golden heritage as a people.

“When we talked about Enugu as being the centre of art and culture, this is a man, who brought Enugu to that epicentre. So, we are here to celebrate him while he is still living with us.

“So, in honour of him, this Obinagu Road, the entire stretch of the road leading to his home, is named after him and will now be known as Mike Ejeagha Road,” he stated.

Mbah, however, stressed the commissioned roads here was only the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State.

“We want to assure residents of Abakpa and Enugu State that we are not done yet. If you have followed our events, you would have noticed that recently, we also awarded contracts for the construction of 141 roads and 20 rural roads. And I can also tell you that Abakpa is not left out.

“Very soon, we will commence the dualisation of Penocks junction on the Enugu-Onitsha all the way to Opi-Nsukka. That contract has been awarded and work will soon commence.

“I want to assure you that the commitment we made to serve you with every fibre of our being can never be lost on us. We are going to work for you with everything we have,” the governor concluded.

Earlier in their remarks, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, assured the governor and residents that the roads were constructed with durability and convenience of road users in mind.

“The typical road cross section of Obinagu Road and Mike Ejeagha Crescent comprise 300 to 600mm-thick sub-grade, 150mm-thick sub-base, 150mm-thick stone base course, 50mm-thick asphalt wearing course, and 600 by 600 to 900 by 900 reinforced concrete drainages and culvert,” he stated.

Meanwhile, receiving the governor at his residence, Ejeagha, who spoke through his son, Emma Ejeagha, and daughter, Elizabeth Ugwu (Nee Ejeagha), said that Mbah had honoured him beyond his lifetime.

“Previous governments made promises, however nothing happened. But Mbah never made any promise to us. We only woke up and heavy equipment were all over the place. And like a dream, we have brand new roads. Not long after, Gwo gwo gwo ngwo started trending,” Emma Ejeagha stated.

Also, elated residents, who turned out in their numbers, commended the governor for the roads, noting that the Infrastructure would impact their businesses and lives positively.

Mbah equally did some ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ dance steps to the delight of residents.

At least 10 maritime travellers are feared to have been abducted by sea pirates along the Bonny – Port Harcourt waterway, Channels TV reports.

According to the Television, sketch details gathered indicates that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning and is believed to involve 10 persons travelling between Bonny and Port Harcourt.

Confirming the incident via telephone, the district Chairman, MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria Rivers State district, Israel Pepple said “it’s not a rumour, it is real. 10 persons have been kidnapped this morning coming from Bonny to Port Harcourt. We’ve reported to the security agencies” He said

When contacted, however, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu promised to revert with more information as he had yet to be briefed on the matter.

More details later…

Channels TV

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on his 58th birthday.

In a birthday message, which he personally signed, Mbah said, “I
offer my warm felicitations, on behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, as you celebrate your 58th birthday.

“I pray that the Almighty God blesses you with longevity, sound health, and wisdom in your continued service to our nation.

“Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.”

Shettima, a former banker, commissioner, governor, senator and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clocked 58 on Monday.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of some of the protesters of the recent #EndBadGovernance protest at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja pending the hearing and ruling on their bail application slated for September 11, 2024.

The Judge fixed the date on Monday after they pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge, bordering on terrorism slammed against them by the Federal Government.

After the defendants took their plea, their counsel moved an oral application for their bail which was opposed by counsel to the prosecution, Simon Lough, SAN on the ground that some of the charges against the defendants carry capital punishment.

However, Justice Nwite overruled the request by the defendants’ counsel that they should be remanded in the custody of the Police and ordered that they should be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, while the female among them be remanded at the Keffi Correctional Center in Nasarawa state and adjourned till September 11 for ruling on their bail application.

In the six-count charge filed on August 30, 2024, and signed by DCP Simon Lough, SAN, for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Federal Government also named a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, aka Andrew Povich, (Now at Lage) as a defendant.

In the charge sheet marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, the defendants, with ten of them arraigned and some at large, were accused of  “treason, destabilising the country, intimidating the President and destroying the NCC in Kano,” among others.

Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti OFR, has stated that his vision is for Abia State to have a functional educational system where the children are properly trained to compete favourably with their peers across the globe.

Gov. Otti stated this on Saturday 31st August, 2024, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the participants of the ongoing Master-Teachers Training Programme (Train the Trainers Programme) under the Abia First Education Transformation Programme of his administration holding at the Federal Government Girls College Umuahia.

The Governor stopped over at the venue of the training programme after attending the 2024 edition of the Alex Otti Foundation (AOF) Scholarship Scheme held at the Sacramento Event Center, Umuahia, where he took over the training of 46 Abia Students studying in different tertiary institutions across Nigeria through the Alex Otti Foundation Scholarship Scheme. This is in addition to hundreds of current beneficiaries of AOF scholarship Programme in the past years which you don’t need to know anybody to apply and become a beneficiary.

Speaking during the award of scholarship to the recipients, Governor Otti said that the essence of the AOF scholarship scheme is to give indigent students an opportunity to continue with their education.

“So, while everybody is trying and struggling, we should not leave behind those who are less fortunate; that’s the whole essence of the Alex Otti foundation. It is not a place to make money or a place to play games”, the Governor stated.

While encouraging the scholarship awardees to take their studies seriously as they must maintain a certain level of Cumulative Point Average (CGPA) to continue enjoying the scholarship once enrolled from the second year, he called on all those whom God has blessed to become a blessing to others in whichever way they can, concluding that, the world has enough for everybody’s need and not enough for everybody’s greed.

While addressing the teachers at the undergoing training at the FGGC, Umuahia, Governor Otti said,

“My vision is that education will be functional and that our children will be properly trained. Our schools will be the best in class and our teachers will be the best in class. That is why I’m spending money. I can spend anything on education and the reason is simple, without education, I won’t be standing in front of you and of course God.

“Everything is acquired; even knowledge is acquired by learning. So, that’s why we considered learning the most important part of our reforms. Even if you go and build skyscrapers and you don’t have qualified teachers, it is buildings that you have put up not a school. So, the school is not the building, the school is actually what is taken in and what is taken out of the school and that has to do with human beings”.

The Governor explained that the whole essence of the training programme is to ensure that our people are upgraded and that they have knowledge of 21st century events and dynamics.

“If you are a teacher in the 21st century, you will agree with me that every day, things change. In your time in school, am not sure you heard about robotics or artificial intelligence or 3D printing or Electric Vehicles or Driverless cars. That’s what the world is talking about today including Cyber security.

“So, we sat down and said, if we want to produce children that will compete with children in China, India and elsewhere, then we need to go back and retrain ourselves.

“For us, if there is nothing else we can do in this State, at least, we should take education seriously. I have made the first step which is to allocate 20% of the 2024 budget to education. We may not spend all of it this year and even if we don’t spend all of it this year, we will still increase the Education budget next year.

“Why are my saying so? I’m saying so because there are things that are lagging. Like this training should have happened since, maybe March. So, that you are being trained now means that you will need more time to train other people. We are ready to move the timetable forward, but we must get to where we want to get to”, the Governor declared.

Governor Otti thanked the teachers for their service to the State, saying that they are not taken for granted. He pleaded with them to teach others as they are being trained to train others.

The Governor whose presence was greeted by great ovations was accompanied to the events by his wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Otti and some other top Government Functionaries.

…Constitutes Committee on implementation of Enugu State Geographic Information System Services Law

In line with the administration’s promise to reverse the flow of medical tourism and position Enugu State as the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism, and living, the Enugu State Government has announced that it is embarking on the construction of a 300-bed, ultramodern quaternary health facility to be known as the Enugu International Hospital.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, at the end of Enugu State Executive Council, EXCO, meeting presided over by Governor Peter Mbah at the weekend.

Briefing Government House correspondents, Prof. Obi said that besides providing excellent and highly specialised medical services, the Enugu International Hospital, which would be sited in the heart of Enugu city, would equally serve as a citadel of medical research and training.

“This means that tomorrow is finally here in the health sector because primary healthcare is being addressed, secondary healthcare is being addressed, tertiary healthcare is also being addressed.

“Now we are going to add quaternary healthcare to the scope, which simply means that an extension of tertiary care and advanced levels of medicine, which are highly specialised and not widely accessed, are now going to be available in Enugu in no distant time. So, medical tourism will reverse back to our environment.

“The Enugu International Hospital is going to come up at Rangers Avenue. So, it will be centrally located in Enugu, and will be easily accessible from the international airport.

“It is going to be the type of place that will give excellent medical services, including research and training. It will be that type of hospital that people will no longer have any reason to leave the shores of Nigeria to go to for healthcare,” Prof Obi stated.

The Commissioner also informed that the meeting discussed measures to checkmate the Mpox disease, previously known as Monkeypox, which he explained had become a major international concern, adding that EXCO directed a scale-up of awareness campaign on the disease.

“Mpox has now become a disease of public health importance of international concern and the government of Enugu State has had discussions on how to ensure that effective surveillance, control, and prevention of any upsurge of Mpox in the state will be put in place.

“The Ministry of Health is, therefore, working with the other health sector players, including the Akanu Ibiam International Airport’s Port Health Services, to ensure that Enugu citizens are aware, safe, and minimize their exposure to the Mpox,” the Commissioner concluded.

In another development, the government also announced the constitution of a broad-based committee to ramp up the implementation of the Enugu State Geological Information System Service Law 2024.

Briefing Government House correspondents, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, said the intent was also to enhance the value of land holding in Enugu State, as those who own a flat in the city or a piece of land in the village will be able to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy to make their property bankable because the entire state would be captured digitally.

“With the implementation of the Enugu State Geological Information System, the era of applying for Certificate of Occupancy and it will take months to handle will be a thing of the past, because everything about land administration in the state will be handled digitally and electronically. This is a high-end technology and we are not talking about what is far-fetched, but about what is already being implemented. So, EXCO simply made approval that will strenghen and expedite the implementation.

“So, very soon, it will be fully on stream and operational. This will not just transform land holding and administration, but even everything that relates to data concerning land. And all these are geared towards the Governor’s vision to eradicate poverty and also connected to growing our GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn,” Udeh stated.

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru says his administration is committed to implementation of the new minimum wage of 70,000 Naira .

He also restated commitment to adhere strictly to the supreme Court ruling on Financial autonomy for Local Government Councils.

He was speaking at the Grand finale of the 2024 edition of Izzi Nnodo New Yam Festival ( Ojiji) at Amagu the ancestral home of Izzi Nnodo .

The Governor said he had directed the Head of Service to come up with what it will take to implement the New minimum wage.

The Governor commended the people of Izzi clan for holding tenaciously to their culture

“Today is the great OJIJI Day, a new yam festival celebration that offers deep insight into the context of the distinguished identity, rich heritage and cultural nuances of my Izzi people”.

He emphasised the importance of the event, saying “This special occasion is a testament to our rich cultural heritage and our people’s unwavering commitment to our agelong traditions”.

He used the occasion to task contractors to ensure timely completion of projects, warning that there will be no sacred cow when contractors renege on project agreements

“I have directed the Commissioner for Housing to go after those that have not completed their projects in Izzo and Amaeze Autonomous Communities.

“It is annoying that as a government we will award contracts, only for contractors to be found wanting. We will not tolerate this. We have given a grace of 60 days to complete all awarded projects. We have road projects spread across the 13 Council Areas.

“I directed SSAs and SAs to go round and monitor ongoing projects in their respective zones. Sadly, we are getting reports of some contractors not reporting to sites. This is totally unacceptable. Upon the expiration of this grace, we will go after them”.

The Governor frowned at indiscriminate sale of lands in the Ancestral Communities of Amagu and Ebiya by some youths, describing it as sacrilege and challenged Elders and Traditional Rulers to checkmate it.

Earlier, Engr Elias Mbam, Chairman of the event commended Governor Nwifuru for embarking on projects that have positive impacts on the people.

“If you look at this government, you all agree with me this government is doing well in line with its manifestos.

“I want all contractors, all appointees of the Governor of Izzi extraction to shun nepotism. They should stop seeing the Governor as your brother. Such mindsets are harmful, please desist.

“We will resist every attempt to sabotage this government. We must support this government because it is our government”.

The event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of Izzi.