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Category: South East

  • IPOB Counsel says Controversial December Declaration a Hoax

    IPOB Counsel says Controversial December Declaration a Hoax

    IPOB Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor calls for peace and unity in the Southeast, urging the region to ignore or consider controversial December Biafra Republic declaration as a hoax.

    Ejiofor’s statement comes on the heels of the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a figurehead of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, who has been vocal about the secessionist agenda.

    Addressing the growing unrest in the region, Ejiofor asserted that the claims surrounding the December declaration would ultimately prove baseless and ineffective. 

    He emphasized that time would reveal the truth about these so-called plans for Biafra’s independence, predicting that December would pass without any significant incident.

    Ejiofor, who has long criticized those behind the Biafra movement’s radical claims, pointed to previous instances where exaggerated reports about military support, including fighter jets and warships, were used to rally support for the cause. 

    He warned that such tactics are nothing but attempts at self-promotion by individuals driven by deceit and fraud.

    ALSO READ: NIGERIA’S ECONOMY SEE ROBUST GROWTH IN Q3, 2024

    The IPOB lawyer also reflected on the wider political landscape, acknowledging the marginalization of the Igbo people within Nigeria’s political framework.

     However, he strongly denounced the use of violence, fraud, and criminal actions as means to secure freedom, emphasizing that true liberation can only be achieved through nonviolent, legitimate efforts.

    In his statement, Ejiofor urged the people of the Southeast to focus on restoring peace in the region, suggesting that it was time for reflection and reconciliation. 

    He also stressed the importance of preserving Igbo heritage while acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to address them in a way that honors the community’s values.

    Ejiofor concluded by calling for a collective effort to restore calm and focus on sustainable progress rather than being swayed by individuals pushing divisive and unrealistic ideals.

  • Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State Government, South East Nigeria, has announced free and mandatory primary education for all children starting January 2025. 

    This policy will apply to pupils from grades one to three in public schools, with the aim of ensuring that no child is left out of the educational system.  

    In line with this directive, parents and guardians are now legally obligated to enroll their children, as per the Abia Child’s Rights Law of 2006. 

    The administration warns that non-compliance will result in legal action.  

    Governor Otti’s administration has also paid off 90% of the N191 billion debt inherited without resorting to loans. 

    The government is pressing ahead with the relocation of Abia State University’s Law Faculty from Umuahia back to its main campus in Uturu, citing public interest as the driving factor.  

    Additionally, contracts have been awarded for the rehabilitation of nine roads across the state. 

    Urgent repairs are also underway on the Osisioma flyover, which has shown signs of wear less than two years after its construction.

     The government reassures residents that these issues pose no immediate danger.  

    Efforts are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the new minimum wage, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving living standards and infrastructure.

  • LG Financial Autonomy: Abia Assembly Denies Target Bill

    LG Financial Autonomy: Abia Assembly Denies Target Bill

    The Abia State House of Assembly has clarified that it has not approved any legislation that would centralize local government funding or undermine their financial autonomy. 

    The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Austin Okezie, firmly rejected claims of a bill aimed at creating a Central Management Agency for local government funds, branding such reports as false.

    Okezie explained that the House’s recent discussions focused on the “Abia State Rural Access Road Agency” (ASRARA) bill, which aims to establish a body for managing rural road projects in partnership with the World Bank under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP). 

    He pointed out that this initiative has already been adopted by 19 states, including Ebonyi and Sokoto, and is designed to improve rural infrastructure.

    The Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of local governments in this project, stating that the ASRARA bill is essential for accessing necessary funding for rural roads, as these roads primarily fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

     He dismissed rumours of a walkout by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the deliberation, clarifying that the absence of some members was due to personal matters unrelated to the bill’s discussions.

    Okezie urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, noting that social media has been rife with unfounded claims about the Assembly’s stance on local government autonomy.

     He reassured the citizens of Abia that the Assembly’s initiatives are designed to benefit the state’s residents, urging them to recognize the positive impact of such legislative efforts.

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  • Minimum Wage: Gov Mbah approves N80k

    Minimum Wage: Gov Mbah approves N80k

    The governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for Workers in the state.

    The governor made the disclosure in a statement posted on his social media handle.

    He said, “I have just approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for Enugu workers, effective October 2024.

    “We appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of the state’s workforce and will continue to prioritise their welfare in line with our campaign promises.

    “Tomorrow is here.”

    It can be recalled that Governor Mbah in August inaugurated the committee for the implementation of the new national minimum wage for civil and public servants in the state.

    This followed the approval of N70,000 as the new national minimum wage by the Bola Tinubu-led Federal government.

  • LG Autonomy: Gov Soludo upsets the applecart

    LG Autonomy: Gov Soludo upsets the applecart

    Governor Charles Soludo’s recent proposal for legislation may pose a threat to local government autonomy in Anambra State, raising concerns among representatives and citizens. 

    The proposed bill mandates that local government areas (LGAs) transfer a portion of their federal allocations into a unified account controlled by the state, sparking fears of reduced financial independence for local councils.

    Hon. Henry Mbachu, a member of the Labour Party representing Awka South I, has expressed strong objections to the bill, urging the governor to withdraw it from consideration by the Anambra State House of Assembly. 

    Mbachu argued that the legislation undermines the Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of local government autonomy, enabling the state government to access funds meant for LGAs.

    Despite these concerns, Governor Soludo maintained that the bill is consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling, suggesting that any opposing parties should seek legal recourse if they disagree. 

    READ ALSO: GOVS IN FRESH MOVES TO DELAY LG AUTONOMY

    The Anambra State House of Assembly has already approved the bill, which establishes a “State Joint Local Government Account.” This requires all federal allocations for LGAs to be deposited into this account.

    Under the proposed law, local governments are compelled to remit a set percentage of their allocations to the consolidated account within two business days of receipt, even if the funds originate directly from the Federation Account. 

    Additionally, the state would withhold a percentage of these allocations before disbursing the remaining funds to the LGAs.

    Mbachu had raised alarms about the detrimental effects this legislation could have on local government operations, emphasizing that the mandated deductions might severely limit their ability to manage federally allocated resources effectively. 

    He had called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to monitor state governors to prevent interference in local government elections and ensure that elected officials can operate without undue pressure from the state.

  • Soludo Warns Traders Over Monday Market Closures

    Soludo Warns Traders Over Monday Market Closures

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to traders in Onitsha’s Main Market regarding the continued closure of shops on Mondays due to the sit-at-home directive. 

    Soludo expressed dissatisfaction with the number of locked shops, stating that any business failing to open on Mondays would be penalized.

    The governor gave the warning during a visit to the market.

    The sit-at-home practice, originally called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021, has significantly affected business operations in the South East.

     Despite the suspension of the order, fear of enforcement has led to continued closures. 

    Soludo emphasized that the ongoing shutdowns were damaging the local economy and warned that shops could be sealed for up to a month if they failed to comply.

     He also promised adequate security to support traders in resuming full commercial activities.

  • Fuel price hike: Ebonyi Govt seals 3 petrol stations

    Fuel price hike: Ebonyi Govt seals 3 petrol stations

    Ebonyi State Government has sealed three filling stations within the Abakaliki metropolis in the State.
    The petrol stations were sealed following their alleged involvement in sharp practices, and meter adjustments among other related offences.
    The Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Petroleum, Mr Nwafor Nnaemeka who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki, threatened to seal more Petrol stations, to bring sanity to the Petroleum sector in the State.
    According to him, the State Government will continue to seal any fuel stations that fail to live up to its mandate of meeting up with the demands of the masses.
    He further warned petroleum dealers and Marketers in the 13 Local Government Areas of the State to shun all forms of fraud, regarding fuel supply and distribution in the State.
    According to him: “Fuel pump price hike is a global menace, so far this country is concerned. The sudden increase of the pump price both from the depot to fuel station owners, due to unavailability of products and as it stands now, Ebonyi state is not an exception. It’s almost everywhere in the country and all states are experiencing it.
    “We have been working tirelessly to make sure that fuel stations are not under dispensing. We got information that due to the unavailability of the product, people are using the opportunity to defraud the masses.
    “That’s why we deployed a task force to go to all the fuel stations in the state to make sure that they monitor the activities of fuel stations closely. So far, we have sealed three fuel stations; Edde Mass, R&C and Dozi oil & gas fuel stations due to under-dispensing.
    “We are not leaving any stone unturned and the procession continues and after the urban areas, we will relocate to the rural areas and make sure that the masses get value of what they paid for.
    He further debunked the allegations making the round in the state that fake task force agents have flooded fuel stations and are busy extorting money from dealers.
    “Anybody who is saying that government is not checkmating the activities of the fuel station owners is not saying the truth, that’s what resulted in the sealing of the 3 fuel stations, and they will not go scotfree, and probably we are going to use them as an example, because it is not good to defraud the masses. They are going to face the full wrath of the law.
    “Also, it is not true that fake task force agents are flooding fuel stations in the state. I have task force agents that were approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru, to work under my department to checkmate the sharp practices that are going on in most of the fuel stations in the state, ranging from adulteration, meter adjustments and other unholy activities, thereby making the masses not to get the value of what they paid for.
    “For now, there is nothing like fake taskforce agents in the state as far as petroleum is concerned, the taskforce agents we have now are legally approved by the Governor and they are making moves of detecting those faults from the fuel stations” he stated.

  • Anambra threatens closure of 2,000 unaccredited schools

    As primary and secondary schools set to resume for academic activities, Anambra State government vows to sanction about 2,000 unaccredited schools operating in the state.
    Paul Nwosu, the state Commissioner for Information, in a press statement on Thursday, stated that the affected schools risked closure if the operators did not obtain the necessary approvals and accreditation.
    Primary and secondary schools in the state are set to resume September 17, and the commisioner says, the government discovered during recent evaluation of accredited schools, that some of them are operating illegally.
    He said, “The government of Anambra State is concerned that about 2,000 unaccredited/unapproved schools are operating across the 21 local government areas in the state.
    “This is unacceptable, given the priority that Governor Chukwuma Soludo, a first-class academic himself, has accorded quality education.
    “Setting up and running a school without requisite accreditation and approval is an indication that the school is not operating in accordance with the standards set by the government through the Ministry of Education.
    “The government is of the view that our children, irrespective of their location in Anambra State, deserve the best learning environment, teachers and curriculum.”
    Similarly, Nwosu noted that the state government has directed all the affected schools whose names are listed should obtain the requirements for proper accreditation and registration from the Anambra State Ministry of Education, and take immediate steps to comply before the resumption of schools.
    “Failure to do this will attract dire sanctions and risk of closure,” he warned.
    The commissioner added that the list of approved schools will be made available to the Education Departments of the Local Governments through the Transition Committee Chairmen for easy access.
    Recall that the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, had last week warned parents in the state to enrol their children at only government-approved schools, vowing that they would be liable as accomplices in prosecution if they failed to do so.

  • Gunmen Attack Police Checkpoint, Kill Officer 

    A Nigerian police officer has been killed and another injured during a suspected gunmen attack at a checkpoint on Nnewi-Oba Road in the Idemili South Local Government Area of @AnambraState.
    The incident occurred around 9:20am on Friday when gunmen threw explosive devices at the officers stationed at the Omata Junction.
    In a statement released on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack and stated that the Commissioner of @NigeriaPolice, Nnaghe Itam, had ordered an intensive manhunt for the assailants.
    “The Commissioner of @NigeriaPolice, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered a manhunt operation for the gunmen who attacked the police team at about 9:20 am today, 9/8/2024,” Ikenga said.
    He added that the operation, led by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Nnewi Area Command, is already collaborating with local residents to track down the attackers.
    During the exchange of fire, one @Nigeriapolice officer was fatally struck by an explosive device, while another officer, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
    “The police team has secured the area, and further details will be communicated,” Ikenga stated
  • Gunmen Attack Military Checkpoint In Ebonyi

    Gunmen Attack Military Checkpoint In Ebonyi

    Meanwhile, a community source, who pleaded to remain anonymous, told newsmen that a soldier was killed while one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers during the attack.
    The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the attack by gunmen on a military checkpoint along the Amangwu axis of the Amasiri-Owutu Road in Edda local government area of Ebonyi State.
    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu said the command received information from Owutu Police Division that some hoodlums attacked the military checkpoint in the early hours of Friday, shooting sporadically.
    Ukandu said the Command was yet to be briefed if there was casualties, but affirmed that “the attack was carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen operating on a motorcycle.”
    Meanwhile, a community source told LEADERSHIP Weekend on grounds of anonymity, that a soldier was killed while one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers during the attack.
    “There was an attack this morning at the Amangwu Military Checkpoint and two persons were killed. From the information available, a soldier was killed and one of the gunmen was also killed by the soldiers,” the source said.
    The attack has caused panic and apprehension in the area as motorists and commuters plying the road spent several hours before normalcy returned to the area.
    Reacting to the attack, some elders in the Community who condemned the incident described the perpetrators as enemies of the state and the community.
    They said the criminal elements were those not happy with the peace that the community had witnessed in the last two years.
    Speaking to LEADERSHIP, an elder of the Community, Chief Orji Ama said, “We woke up this morning to hear about the attack at one of the military checkpoints in our local government. It was an unfortunate incident. It left many of us in shock as we have not witnessed any attack in our local government in the last 2 years.
    “Just recently, part of our community known for hostility celebrated seven (7) months of peace and unity. Only for some hoodlums to attack the military checkpoint. The presence of the military in our local government has brought about peace in the community and we are happy.”
    He called on the security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the dastardly act with a view to arresting and prosecuting them.
    He restated that Edda is a peaceful community, saying anyone who under the guise of unknown gunmen to cause havoc in the community must be fished out and prosecuted.
    Another Community Leader, Chief James Chima who also condemned the attack, maintained that the community will go all out to assist the security agencies to ensure the security of lives and properties of indigenes.
    Chima added that an attack on the military checkpoint was a complete sabotage to the peace and security being witnessed in the local government, adding that hoodlums cannot sabotage the peace and security in the local government.
    “The attack could best be described as sabotage. It is a sabotage to the peace and security the local government had witnessed in the last two years. Enemies of the local government want to bring about insecurity again in the community, but we will do everything to resist it.
    “The military presence has also helped immensely to ensure peace and security of the local government. That security and peace will never be truncated by those parading as unknown gunmen. The security agencies must go all out to fish out the hoodlums and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.”