Tag: Ebonyi

Ebonyi Govt Reacts To Indigene Killed In South Africa

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State

 

The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has reacted to the murder of an indigene of the state, Benjamin Simeon.

The late Simeon who resides in South Africa was killed by yet to be identified gunmen in the early hours of Saturday.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Uzor, Governor Umahi called for a probe into the death of its citizen and for justice to be served.

Read Full Statement Below: 

The attention of His Excellency, Engr Dr David Nweze Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State has been drawn through the report in Channels television to the ugly incident of the gruesome murder of a Nigerian and Ebonyi citizen residing in South Africa, Mr Benjamin Simeon by yet to be identified gunmen.

Governor Umahi is greatly saddened by this act and has called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to intervene and press it on the South African envoy to immediately open investigation into this senseless killing of a law-abiding citizen of the country who was until his death a native of Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

READ ALSO: Another Nigerian Killed In South Africa

It is our full conviction that unravelling the circumstances surrounding this heinous murder of Simeon presents to the fore, the need for the South African government to undertake requisite thoroughness and transparency to ensure that justice is served to the Nigerian government, Ebonyi State and the family of the deceased.

The loss of a highly talented and law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who was going about his legitimate business in South Africa aptly challenges us all to call on the reserves of our cherished African brotherhood. In the face of the foregoing, the least that can be done for him and his family now is to prove that he did not die in vain by vigorously probing his murder and ensuring that the killers face justice”

We, therefore, call on the South African High Commissioner to do the needful by ensuring that those behind the death of Benjamin Simeon are brought to book and rein in their brothers who have been killing Nigerians in their numbers in various major cities of South Africa.

 

It Will Be Difficult For Nigeria To Develop Without Tackling Corruption – Umahi

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State addresses journalists in Abakaliki on Saturday, May 26, to mark the 2018 Democracy Day celebrations in the state.

 

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi, says the chances of Nigeria achieving progress without tackling corruption decisively are very slim.

Umahi said this on Saturday during a media chat to mark the 2018 Democracy Day celebration and his third year in office, in Abakaliki, the state capital.

“Without tackling corruption, it would be very difficult for our country to develop,” he said.

Although the governor was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has frequently criticised President Muhammadu Buhari, he is not eager to criticise the President.

“For those that believe that the only way they will know I am in PDP is to castigate Mr President, he is the only boss I have, I will not,” the governor said.

Umahi also used the opportunity to thank the people of the state for their support, three years after assuming office.

On Buhari’s scorecard, three years after he swept into power, the governor believes the President is “not God to do everything 100 percent right.”

While Governor Umahi is in no hurry to criticise the President, he did not spare those who pretend to be supporters of President Buhari even though the reality is that they are critics.

“For those that are pretending to be supporting the President, they just want to come and loot this state again,” the governor said.

“The looting for eight years was never enough for them. Eight years, they have nothing to show for it. So we cannot be distracted and our books are very ready and open.” Umahi added.

Schools Shut In Ebonyi Over Lassa Fever Outbreak

Schools Shut In Ebonyi Over Lassa Fever Outbreak
File photo

Schools in Ebonyi State have been directed to close for a week following the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The state government said the directive was given as part of measures to contain the spread of the disease in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Umuzuruike Daniel, also confirmed the death of four victims to Channels Television via telephone interview on Thursday.

“Presently we have 9 confirmed cases and four have lost their lives. Three of them are health workers. The ones that are on treatment are doing well. We have four persons in our facilities in Ebonyi and one other person is in Irua in Edo State were treatment is also being administered,” he said.

He added, “We have traced and mapped out areas they emanate from. They include Ogbe Hausa, Abakaliki and Afikpo. We are working intensively to ensure we search for new cases and put them on surveillance.”

Daniel explained that the deceased included a patient, two doctors, and a nurse, while 139 confirmed cases have been placed under surveillance.

According to him, the state had embarked on sensitisation to educate people on how to prevent the spread of the disease.

The commissioner also added that the schools that were shut down today in a bid to contain the outbreak would reopen as the situation was being managed well.

More to follow…

Gov Umahi Presents N208bn 2018 Budget Proposal To Ebonyi Assembly

The Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi has presented an estimated sum of N208bn for 2018 Budget to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Governor Umahi told the lawmakers that the budget is titled ‘Budget of divine manifestation’ and has a proposed capital expenditure of N165bn, representing 69.4 percent of the budget proposal.

The sum of N43bn, representing 31 percent of the total budget was proposed as recurrent expenditure.

According to the Governor, the 2018 budget is expected to perform better than that of 2017. He reiterated his administration’s resolve to further and aggressively develop all sectors of the state.

Governor Umahi, who said that the 2017 budget was affected by economic and security challenges, explained that with the country’s exit from recession, the 2018 budget is expected to address the challenges faced.

Buhari’s First Official Visit To South East In Photos

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, November 14, made his first ever visit South East region of Nigeria.

The President first touched down at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu this morning, before he proceeded to the Abakaliki township stadium in Ebonyi State.

Buhari was conferred with the two traditional chieftaincy titles, Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi by Ebonyi traditional council of rulers and Ochioha NdiIgbo 1 by South East traditional council of rulers.

See photos below…

 

Buhari Makes First South East Visit As President

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital as part of his visit to the South- East region of the country.

The President was received at the airport by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and the other top officials.

Buhari has earlier stopped over at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu before proceeding to Ebonyi state.

See Photos below…

Ebonyi Govt Seeks Military Intervention In Boundary Issues With Cross River

The Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, has called on the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Burutai to intervene in the boundary issues between Ebonyi and Cross River states which has led to alleged killing and destruction of properties.

Gov. Umahi during the Commissioning of Water Plant Facility in Enugu told the Chief of Army Staff  Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai that the boundary issues have degenerated to alleged killing of his people and more.

“We have a very disturbing situation over boundaries with Cross River. If you look at Ikwo axis, Abakaliki axis, Izzi axis.

The stories are quite disturbing, Its time to enforce peace in that place. If nothing is done, it has gotten to the point where you can say that there’s a war between Ebonyi State and Cross River states but God forbid”

“It is disheartening to sit and see our people being slaughtered, houses in thousand being burnt”.

He also appealed to Lt Gen Burutai to deeply more soldiers in the state to help in the safety of lives and properties of the people.

NEWMAP Urges Communities To Avoid Environmental Degradation

NEWMAP, Environmental Degradation To achieve greater environmental and economic security, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, (NEWMAP), has initiated a strategy, urging people to desist from activities that leads to environmental degradation.

The initiative is seen as a paradigm shift aimed at infrastructural intervention and social livelihood of affected communities.

The strategy seeks to discourage people from activities like land excavation, indiscriminate dumping of waste which subsequently lead to erosion, by empowering them with alternative means of livelihood and activity that would protect their environment.

NEWMAP prides itself as a multi-sectoral operation that targets seven southern states with acute gully erosion including Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo while laying a foundation for scaling up to other states nationwide.

These were among the issues discussed at a brief gathering by the NEWMAP, at Enugu, consisting of the World bank representatives, Federal and State ministry of Environment, to highlight project development objectives that would reduce vulnerability to soil erosion.

Thereafter, there was a visit to the Ugwu-uto community in Enugu, where over 150 indigenes were empowered with alternative means of livelihood.

This strategic paradigm shift, is expected to be a vital tool for tackle environmental degradation.

According to them, “it would stop people from engaging in activities that cause erosion, thereby also contributing to the government’s efforts to protect the environment”.

At the Ajalli water works, in Udi local government area of Enugu State, the erosion depth, spanned up to 30 meters and the twin tank reservoirs that supply water to the entire city, are being threatened by erosion while farmlands within the vicinity have been abandoned.

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project have therefore begun intervention to save the city from impending danger and also resettled the farmers.

Southeast Women Demand Rapid Development From Government

Women-August-meetingSome Igbo women in Nigeria’s southeast have stressed the need for women from the region to come united irrespective of their differences to support southeast political leaders.

They believe that such support would enable elected persons deliver good governance, promote girl child education, eradicate poverty and ensure meaningful development for the people of the south east.

Their stand was echoed at the 2016 southeast August meeting organised by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nkechi Okorocha. It was held at the Imo International Conference Centre in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, with the theme; “Looking at the Next Generation of Mothers”.

The programme was co-organised by the wives of the Governors of Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu, states.

It attracted dignitaries, both male and female across Nigeria especially of southeast extraction.

The main auditorium was filled to capacity, with women in colourful attires, traditional rulers, top government functionaries.

They gathered to witness the 2016 August meeting in Imo State, but this time it was not just for Imo women, but the women of the entire southeast.

It was also a session for fanfare and lots of drama.

In her address of welcome, the Imo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ngozi Njoku, explained the essence of the programme and its importance to the people of the southeast geopolitical zone.

The chairman of the occasion, former Governor of Old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, commended the organisers of the event for thinking it wise to unite the southeast region with such event that would not only impact on women but would also bring development to the Igbo nation.

In their different speeches, the host, Mrs Okorocha and her counterparts from Abia and Enugu, Nkechi Ikpeazu, and Monica Ugwuanyi, respectively, urged women to make good use of their positions as mothers to bring development to the southeast irrespective of differences.

This is the first August meeting that will bring all the wives of the southeast governors together and hopefully, there will be a follow up on most of the issues raised for the benefit and development of the people of the southeast.

Buhari Lists Areas Of Partnership With Islamic Development Bank

Muhammadu Buhari and Ali Madani OF Islamic Development BankPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja said the Nigerian government would deepen its partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund critical projects.

At a meeting with the President of the IDB Group Dr. Ali Madani, President Buhari commended the bank for supporting several developmental projects in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria would be looking to partner further with the bank in health, water and the infrastructure development.

The President acknowledged that the bank had funded several people-oriented projects in Osun, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano and Ebonyi states, demonstrating its “soft spot and robust support” for Nigeria.

“We can’t thank you enough for the height you have achieved for the bank in 41 years.

“Now that you are about to retire, we thank you for the quality leadership which the world has recognised,” the President said.

He further also expressed appreciation to the IDB Group and other countries for extending their assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in the northeast.

The President assured the visiting IDB chief that Nigeria, a major financier of the bank, would meet all its obligations to the development institution within the shortest time possible.

The President highlighted efforts of the current administration at diversifying the economy, with emphasis on agriculture.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would achieve self-sufficiency in rice and sugar; and export both commodities in the next three years.

The IDB boss congratulated President Buhari on the positive outcomes of the war against corruption and terrorism.

He said the bank was ready to mobilise resources from Arab fund for developmental initiatives of the Nigerian government and the private sector, particularly on agriculture.

The meeting between President Buhari and the IDB officials came hours after the Minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, sought the assistance of the IDB in the attainment of the nation’s financial inclusion and economic diversification.

She also asked for contributions from the bank towards the rebuilding of the northeast region that had been devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Senate To Commence Screening Of Ambassador-Nominees

Senate, AmbassadorsThe Nigerian Senate has directed its Committee on Foreign Affairs to begin the screening of career ambassadors.

The directive was given on Wednesday during a session at the floor of the upper house of the National Assembly in Abuja.

The lawmakers said they made the resolve even though the committee’s report revealed that officers from Ebonyi, Ondo, Bayelsa and Plateau states failed to meet up with criteria for selection.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which treated not less than 37 petitions disclosed ‎that the Secretary to Government of Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, had expressed strong will that President Muhammadu Buhari would ensure that each state of the federation was represented in line with the principles of federal character.

Presenting the report, the Vice Chairman of the committee, Senator Shehu Sani, briefed the lawmakers on the late submission of the list of the career nominees.

He attributed the delay to the late appointment of the principal officers and the cabinet ministers, most of which came late 2015.

South-south, South-east Lawmakers Oppose Grazing Bill

Lawmakers, Grazing BillLawmakers in Nigeria’s South-south and South-east geo-political zones have opposed the proposed grazing bill of the federal government.

The legislators also urge their counterparts at the National Assembly to kick against the bill, saying it is not in the interest of the nation’s unity.

The opinions were formed when they converged at Owerri, the Imo State capital, south-east Nigeria for the first parliamentary session of South-south and South-east State Assemblies to discuss the issues bothering on the proposed grazing bill as well as issues of militancy and bombings in the Niger Delta.

In his welcome address, the host and Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Acho Ihim, hinted that the South-south and the South-east states have many things in common in the region, not leaving out challenges,stressing the need for the first joint parliamentary session to bid a way forward in addressing their challenges.

Reacting to the grazing reserve proposals and activities of herdsmen in the geo-political zones, a lawmaker from Abia moved a motion on the position of legislators in both region.

After much deliberations and contributions, the legislators opposed the grazing bill, urging all Assemblies in the region to pass bills restricting cattle rearing and prohibit grazing of cattle from one location to another.

They insisted that the proposed bill to establish and control grazing routes and reserves should be rejected.

After the session, some of the lawmakers hinted that the theme of their gathering would go a long way to unite the South-south and South-east zones, as well as Nigeria in general.

In attendance were the Speakers from Ebonyi, Delta, Cross River, Imo, Edo, Bayelsa, and Abia states while Deputy Speakers from Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Enugu states represented their speaker amidst a large number of legislators from the the two zones.