Between Eliza and Uju Anya: Point Made!...Abeokuta, always making history…Trust Abia Women...plus South East Digest…

Between Eliza and Uju Anya:  Point Made!

It is not about whether the timing of Professor Uju Anya’s Twitter post was inappropriate or not.  It is not about whether Jeff Bezos and Uju had been beefing earlier.  Neither is it about “not speaking ill of the dead”, particularly, a departed Queen Elizabeth II. 

The issues about remorse, forgiveness, and reparations have been brought to the front burner in, perhaps, more forceful way than ever before, thanks to world’s second richest man, Jeff Bezos. 

These issues will no doubt be a key part of the agenda of King Charles III, just as they would be moving forward in discussing the new world order.

Abeokuta, always making history

The ancient city of Abeokuta has always played special roles in the history of Nigeria.  Not just because of the riots that chased an Alake out of his palace.  Not just because this great ancient city has given Nigeria two Heads of State (and a two-term President).  It is because of all that and many more.

Recently, it was at this ancient city that the famous statement “Emi lokan” was made.

Well, yesterday, the youths of Ogun State turned that famous statement around when they held a mega rally for Peter Obi.  It is now:  Obi lokan!  Never mind that the rally was perhaps one of the least attended among the rallies organized so far by ”Obidients” across the nation.  Participants and organisers of the rally made it clear that they were happy for the world to hear their voices pointing out that they were not funded by any individual or political party as was the norm.

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ABIA STATE

Abia women take protest to New Level, lay on streets to Cry, Pray for Soul of Nigeria

Women of the Methodist Church of Nigeria in Umuahia, Abia State capital city did the unbelievable. Dressed in the Methodist Women's Fellowship uniforms - plain white cotton blouses and blue wrapper with the church's 'Worthy is the Lamb' emblem - took to the streets of Umuahia in protest of the incessant insecurity and challenges bedeviling Nigeria.  The Women of Methodist Church of Nigeria lay on the street of Abia to pray for God's intervention in the State.

The women, 40 of them in number, marched to the popular O-Pet Junction along Umudike Road in Umuahia where they laid down on the bare ground attracting attention from passers-by. 

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo seeks stronger partnership to develop Anambra Education Sector

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has called for stronger partnerships and strategic policies in the development of the State’s education sector.  Governor Soludo made the call during the I.G Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation, IGAHAF, education workshop and scholarship award ceremony held in Awka.

Speaking at the event, Governor Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, called on privileged stakeholders to join hands with the government to resuscitate Community Schools in Anambra State.  He commended the Foundation for helping indigent children in their academic pursuit, and advised well-to-do people to emulate the footsteps of the founder, Chief Onyeka Aguowo.

The I.G Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation, which commenced in 2019, focuses on helping young and less privileged persons in the society.  Between December 2019 and March 2021, several people have been mobilized to, among other things, work as major trustees of the Foundation.

Anambra Govt reassures of fulfilling campaign promises

The State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, has restated the commitment of the present administration towards rendering selfless service to ndi Anambra.  Deputy Governor Ibezim was speaking a social gathering at Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area.  He assured that the trust and belief people of the State have in the present administration will not be taken for granted.

Dr Ibezim explained that Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s Government is tirelessly making efforts to fulfill all the campaign promises and called on the State residents to support the government by paying their taxes, levies and strictly adhere to the laws of the State.  He used the opportunity to call on Ndi Igbo to uphold the good part of their rich cultural heritage.

 

ENUGU STATE

Enugu suspends activities in Golf Annex I for regularisation

Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development have suspended activities within the Golf Annex I, Agu Abor.  A statement by the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, explained that the suspension, which has the approval of the state government, was carried out in response to the various serious and technical issues concerning the Golf Annex 1, Agu Abor. 

Aroh disclosed that a committee was set up to deal with all outstanding issues concerning the Golf Annex I, Agu Abor, with a view to effectively and conclusively resolving all issues to allow infrastructural work to resume in earnest.  The commissioner added: “Exultantly, the committee is almost concluding its assignment with the resolution of all multiple allocations and community protests, determination of outstanding payments and review of road and drainage designs to allow for full accessibility of all plots.” 

Aroh, therefore, expressed optimism that full scale work to complete the infrastructural works at the Golf Annex I, Agu Abor, will resume shortly in line with the state government’s commitment to ensure decent and affordable housing for all in Enugu State. 

The statement listed the technical issues concerning the Golf Annex 1 that are being addressed to include protest and petitions from the host community/previous land owners; issues of double/multiple allocations; non-payment of statutory land fees by many allotees despite repeated demands; and overall review of design arising from non-accessibility of several plots due to technical error in original layout design. 

“Obidients” shut down Enugu

Supporters of Labour Party, LP, Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, “Obidient Movement yesterday embarked on a march that grounded Enugu State capital.  The unprecedented and intimidating crowd that marched from Okpara square round the major street in Enugu kept increasing as they march and shutdown the coal city.

The growing support for the Obidient movement has long taken over Enugu State with members of other major political parties showing overwhelming support for the Obi project.  Not even the recent attack on the Labour Party meeting in Awgu, Aninri, Oji River and Udenu local government recently could deter the overwhelming support for the Obi Presidency as the march recorded an unprecedented success.

IMO STATE

FG flags off disbursement of Cash Grant for vulnerable groups in Imo State

The Federal Government says it has commenced the disbursement of Cash Grants for Vulnerable Groups in Imo and Abia States.  The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed this during the flag-off of the Digitized Payment for Conditional Cash Transfer programme on Saturday in Owerri.

She said at least 3,894 beneficiaries across the 27 local government areas of the state would receive a twenty thousand Naira one-off Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups in the State.  She also revealed that about 4,738 beneficiaries were selected for the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme interest-free loans.

The Minister noted that the beneficiaries would receive loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 for farmers, petty traders, widows and youths.  “Today, l have come to Roll-Out the programme in the “Land of Hope” Imo State. Hence, successful beneficiaries of the GEEP programme will start receiving credit alerts from Access bank by God’s grace.

“This is a programme designed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians who are involved in some sort of commercial activity or capacity but have never had the opportunity to access loans. It is meant to give priority to the most vulnerable in our society eg widows, youth, disabled and the displaced amongst others,” she said.

She added that Abia State has 4,108 beneficiaries of the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme interest-free loans, while 3,107 would receive twenty thousand naira each as Cash Grants to Vulnerable Groups.