…Holds church thanksgiving to mark his victory 6days before election

The Chairman of Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state, Hon. Clement Odah, has told his supporters not act violently against his opponents in any way as regards the forthcoming local government election.

Odah gave the counsel on Tuesday while reacting to a recent protest by some youths from the area who said they don’t want him to return back as Ohaukwu council chairman.

The Ohaukwu council boss said he doubts the identity of those who protested, reiterating they are not from his local government.

He acknowledged that he knows those propagating the protest, adding that they have seen how God will grant him victory and decided to rent few students to carry out a protest.

“What you see on the social media is not qualified to be a protest. That is not a protest and nobody in Ohaukwu witnessed any open protest in any of our high ways.

“Somebody sent me a link on WhatsApp that people had a placards with a number of things. I looked at it, a few disgruntled elements, I doubt whether they are from Ohaukwu.

“They don’t look familiar at all. But wherever they may came from, I believe that they are a paid rented group of disoriented young men who don’t know what they are doing.

“I also know the propagators of such miserable outing. Definitely, a few persons who may not be happy with the chairman may have done that. I enjoy the support of over 98 percent of the stakeholders of Ohaukwu LGA and that is a fact” he averred.

Odah reaffirmed that he has the support of Ohaukwu stakeholders, youths, traders, market women and all those who matter in the local government area.

“All the stakeholders and teeming number of youths are with me including the market women and traders. All the traditional rulers, town unions, the clergymen and all other people that matter in Ohaukwu are with me. And so, the insignificant two percent doesn’t matter to me.

“This insignificant number may have seen how God will grant me victory and became restless to the extent of renting some strange students from neighbouring institutions to carryout a cowardly act of protest.

“They made efforts to see our leader at Umuebe but they were rebuked and sent back shamelessly. And so, there is no protest to the best of my knowledge”

“No reasonable youths from Ohaukwu will protest against me because I have liberated them. And i assure you, if i run for election twenty times, they will vote for me twenty times because I have touched their lives uniquely ” Odah added.

Also, the Ohaukwu council boss on Sunday, February 16, held a church thanksgiving celebrating his victory in the yet to be conducted local government election in Ebonyi state.
He said his project is divine and that the thanksgiving was to show his gratitude to God.

“My project is divine and if you see my campaign poster, it has the inscription “Power belong to God”. I am not struggling with anybody. The position was given to me by God, using divine agents.

“Secondly, the election we are anticipating to hold coming Saturday is a delegate election. The list of the delegates is already known. The delegates are my friends. They know me and I know them. They trust and believe in me. I believe in them also. I believe, I will have their votes.

“So mathematically, I’m absolutely sure that I will win in a landslide version, it is that conviction and the fact that God is on my side that gave rise to thanksgiving, which is an act of gratitude to God.

“I am absolutely so sure that I will win the election. I have the conviction within me that as God is on my side, the delegates will vote for me.

Meanwhile, the local government election has been slated for April, 25, 2020 across the 13 LGAs and 171 political wards that make up the state.
Whilst the delegate election will be held on Saturday, February 22.

by Angela Nwaeze

The Executive Chairman of Afikpo South local government area, Hon. Eni Uduma Chima, has disclosed that his second term in office will be for the continuation and completion of all the on going projects and embarking on new ones.

He stated this at the Peoples Democratic Party Secretariat, Abakaliki, on Wednesday after picking his expression of interest and nomination forms.

He said that 2years in office in their second term may not be enough for him to carry out all the projects he wants to execute in the local government.

“In fact we have this phobia that time may not be enough for us to do what we want to do in Edda, but all the same, we are going to do our best to give the assignment a big shot.

“We are expected to do not less than 35km of concrete road in Edda within the next 24 months if we are reelected”.

Asked whether they are expecting other aspirants from the local government, he said no, adding, “Honestly, we are not expecting other aspirants because PDP is one family united in peace and love in Edda. And we worked together even in the last election, and every stakeholder can agree with me that we did our best to make sure that PDP was delivered in the last election.

“So on grounds of party activities I don’t think I’m expecting anybody”.

On the cordial relationship existing between him and the stakeholders of his local government, the council boss further hinted that, “Edda is a homogenous local government, one people, we are not divided. You only find Edda people throughout Edda no matter the part and we are inter related, it’s only one big family. So opposition though permitted by law, is not expected.”

United Nations Women has lunched Climate Smart Agriculture programme aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment through Climate-Resilient Agribusiness in Nigeria.

The programme was lunched on Friday February 14, 2020 at Osborne La Palm Royal Hotels, no. 1 Osborne avenue, off Kpirikpiri Road, Mile 50, Ebonyi State.

The flagship programme was in partnership with FAO, ILO and UNIDO and only two states in Nigeria which are Niger and Ebonyi were selected for the pilot scheme.

In these states, five local government areas were selected. In Niger state, Mashegu, Munya and Katcha local government areas were chosen, while in Ebonyi state, Ezza South and Ohaozara were selected.

The flagship programme is also aimed at ensuring that rural women and girls are economically empowered, and able to benefit increasingly from the economic initiatives, programmes and reforms in Nigeria whilst the seed funding of the programme, is from Standbic IBTC Bank.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Umahi, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, described the programme as a unique and flashy one because it’s anchoring an already established programme in women empowerment.

“It is showcasing empowerment not only in agriculture but in security and other essential areas of human existence.

“We welcome the lunch of the programme in Ebonyi and it didn’t come as a surprise because we have been empowering women. We have strived to elevate our women from the level we met them when we came on board in 2015.

“We will give every support needed for the programme to succeed. We shall continue to encourage women to go into business and women do well in agriculture because in everything they do, they do with all their whole body and mind. They give in all they have got in doing so.

“We shall continue to aid, support, encourage and give them a push until they become what God has created them to be come. When they are empowered the society benefits even more.

“This programme has become a stimulant for us as government to enable Ebonyi become strong in Ebonyi,” he stated

Dr Igwe urged UN women to have the peculiar needs of Ebonyi women when carrying out the project, stating that the reason some programmes failed in the state was because development partners come with their own templates and force it on the people without due consideration to their needs and culture.

In her remarks, wife of the governor, Mrs. Rachel Umahi, represented by Mrs. Patience Offor Okorie, noted that the project came at the right time to illustrate how women empowerment makes changes in the nation’s existence.

She noted that the present administration has made empowerment of women a priority, calling on others to join in women empowerment as doing so provides economic society at home, gives opportunity for a level play environment to bring to the fur the issue of climate change and how it affects women farmers in Ebonyi.

She said it will also go a long way to equip the women for the fight ahead.
“I will support this initiative and l will devote my time in ensuring that the programme is a success in Ebonyi,” she assured

Earlier in her keynote address, the UN Women country representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey, stated that in Nigeria that UN Women is working to support the government of Nigeria’s national developmental priorities and frameworks, which are anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The contribution that agriculture can make to 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is enormous.

“The agriculture is directly and indirectly linked to over half of the 17 SDGs. These include SDG 1 on Ending Poverty as rural people make up 70% of the world’s poor; SDG 5 on Gender Equality, given the differences in men and women farmers access to land and other productive resources; SDG 8 on Descent Work and Economic Growth as agriculture can be an engine of employment and SDG on Climate change as sustainable agriculture can provide a solution to the risk of food shortages as a result of climate change.

“The project we are launching today is therefore situated within boarder efforts to support accelerated progress and realization of the SDGs, Ms. Lamptey noted.”

She said the project will support women’s groups and Cooperatives working on the rice value chain to overcome the barriers faced by women and improve their productivity and income through technology skills, markets and services.

“The innovative project aims to close the gender gap in ownership and control of productive resources including land- and active participation in decision-making in the management of these resources. In Ebonyi state, two local government areas, Ezza South and Ohaozara are benefiting from the pilot project.

“Rice has become the fastest growing sub-sector in Nigeria and Ebonyi state is undoubtedly the highest rice processor in Nigeria with over 405, 000MT, and over 2, 080, 000MT per annum capacity- and the sub-sector is largely driven by women, further highlighting to give more women the chance to improve their livelihoods and bridge the gender gaps in agriculture as a whole; which is what these Women Economic Empowerment- Climate Smart Agriculture project (WEE-CSA) intends to achieve.

She further enumerated their aims to include, increase in women’s secure land tenure, ensuring that female smallholder farmers’ productive in changing climate is increased and physical burden for agriculture work reduced.

To also ensure that financing barriers are removed and women’s capacity to invest climate resilient agriculture is increased, to ensure opportunity for female smallholder farmers to move up with value chain promoted; with access to diverse high-value markets. And institutional coordination and knowledge management through research for development is improved.

Others who spoke include, the state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Ogodo Moses Ali, representative of Women Rice Farmers and Beneficiaries Women Rice Farmers Cooperatives, Mrs. Chukwu Mercy, representative of Chief Executive Director of Stanbic IBTC Bank, (Dr. Demola Sogunle), Mr. Victor Ekeocha, representative of the country Director, UNIDO, Dr Otu Osu.

Meanwhile the Governor also after the lunch of the CSA Project, inaugurated the Steering Committee of the CSA Project.

In a bid to purge the state Internal Revenue Board of alleged fraudulent activities, Ebonyi State Government has announced the indefinite suspension of members of the board over alleged fraud.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, on Wednesday February, 12.

Ugbala said that the government discovered records of monumental fraud in the IGR operation of the state before it decided to take action against the board members.

State government also warned members of the public including commercial institutions to desist from dealing with the suspended board members as regards IGR collection for the state.

Noting that all IGR matters of the state are henceforth domiciled in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe and that all IGR payments and receipts must be authorised and certified by the Deputy Governor.

He further retorted that ten years imprisonment without option of fine awaits any who defaults the order.

The statement reads: “The indefinite suspension is as a result of their failure to properly discharge the duties of their offices and the discovery of records of monumental fraud in the IGR operation of the state.

“As a result of this, all banks operating in the state as well as tax payers are advised not to have anything to do or any dealing anymore with the sacked members concerning the IGR of Ebonyi state as all IGR matters are henceforth domiciled in the office of his Excellency the Deputy Governor of the state.

“To this end, all IGR payment and receipt must be authorized and certified by the Deputy Governor . Members of the public are further advised and warned that ten years imprisonment without the option of fine awaits any defaulter of this order in line with the state IGR law.”

Ebonyi state government has debunked the claim that Ebonyians are leaving the state to neighbouring states for West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) registration because of levies.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Onyebuchi Chima, described the claim as total fabrication, adding that there are no levies other than the approved government levies that are been collected in both Public and Private schools.

He said this on Friday at his office while briefing journalists.
Dr. Chima disclosed that the approved levy for West African Examinations Council registration in Ebonyi State is N16, 600, while registration for National Examinations Council is N12, 000.

He said anything above these are not coming from the state government, stating that: “For any particular levy to be collected there must be Exco clearance. If you go round the south east you will see that there is no other state lower than ours.

“We have approved that WAEC is N16, 600, that is Exco approval on the 12th of December 2019. We have also agreed of course, NECO is always lower that WAEC, so there is no way NECO can be anything higher than WAEC, so last year, we approved N12, 000 for NECO registration, it shouldn’t be anything higher than that and if it is, it can’t be more than N500 because of new taxes that NECO brought up.

“This is the only state where the commissioner for Education cannot unilaterally ask for a particular payment or levies to be collected without exco clearance. That is how it is. And no commissioner will do it in any other ministry without exco clearance. We have collective responsibility type of go governance.

“We have people that invest as private investors in education. They are partnering with government to help us in attaining quality education.

“So for private partners, I.e. Private School proprietors, we monitor what they do, we provide them the enabling environment, security and otherwise and reserve the right of their operation. We can close or stop them from operation if they go contrary to the policy and vision and mission of the state”.

“So the idea that levies are now being charged and that’s why Ebonyians are running to sister states, I want to debunk it with every strength in me, that it is not true. Ebonyians and people from other states are excited to come to Ebonyi state because we are re-engineering education, we are bring innovative forms of education that you cannot find in any of our sister states.

“Ebonyi still remains the safest state to educate your child in, and that’s why we are calling on private investors on education to come in. This is the place where the teachers are ready to work despite all the challenges.

“No Ebonyi child is going to any other state because it has never been conducive. “We run together as people of the same destiny to form this state called Ebonyi, nothing has happened here either in education or in any other way that Ebonyians are running to any state, instead, we are more united because, His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, is making us proud, and we have the most conducive environment ever imagined by any Igbo person that we will have in Ebonyi state for education.

“No Ebonyi child is running away to other states for the sake of registering NECO or WAEC, that is a total fabrication that as a Commissioner of Education, I am strongly debunking it and there are no levies paid other than the approved levies that are being collected in any of our schools both private and public.

“Both in our University, all fees, all levies are approved and agreed to and with strong recognition of the people we are, where we started and where we are going and the challenges we have.

“Ebonyi, despite receiving the least amount of federal allocation, we are no. 1 in performance and all ramifications.

“So as the commissioner for Education, let me reiterate that education is at the fore front of Governor Umahi’s policy benchmark, and I am opportune to be here today” he stated.

Asked why pupils are taxed N250 each in private schools, which has been coined as infant tax by parents, Dr. Chima explained that there is nothing like infant tax or levies, rather it is called developmental levy, adding that the levy is not peculiar to Ebonyi but that it is also paid in other states.

He said those in the public schools pay N500 as developmental levies, not minding that their counterparts in private schools pay N200.

The commissioner hinted that those taxed are not the pupils, but the schools, stressing that it’s the proprietors that should pay N200 from the fees they collect from the children.

He noted that the proprietors instead of paying the N200, push it back to the children to be paying it.
“We didn’t tax the children per se I have explained this to NAPPS so that they could also take the explanation downwards.

“But there is one thing we have to get right, no matter how we spin it, the system must have a way to sustain itself, otherwise it will crash. Ebonyi education system must have a self sustenance mechanism otherwise, it will crash, and the self sustenance mechanism are these approved levies, that are approved in total consideration of the people we are and our economic background.

“Now that it is approved, it is to be paid by the proprietors of schools from the fees collectible from the children. Some of them collect fees of N10, 000 to N50, 000. So the fees they collect per child of Ebonyi state is what we are asking N250 from.

“The state owns that child, we provide security, we do access road, electricity, and if your child is anyhow abused, or not being provided the quality of education you have gone for, where do you run to, government.
“So when you pay that fee, to guarantee your child being in that school, to provide them that enabling environment upon which they provide your child that education you sought for, give government N250. 00 out of that fee.

“But what they did is instead of the proprietors doing exactly that, they decided to charge it independently. I’m putting it straight to you that the N250 is to be from the fees paid by each child, it is up to them to do that and it is up to you as parents to make them do that” he added.

Dr. Chima also made it crystal clear that the state doesn’t use education as a means of IGR.

Speaking at the briefing, the SSA to the Governor on Private Schools Development, Hon. Nweke Frank Onwe, maintained that education is not taxed in Ebonyi state, adding that is has remained free.

He corroborated with the commissioners earlier statement that no Ebonyi child is leaving the state to register for WAEC or NECO in neighbouring states, even as he noted that others are coming into the state for education because it is cheaper in Ebonyi compared to other neighbouring states.

He said that the state government is also interested in the quality of education children obtain in private schools.

“My designation is private schools development it is not private schools IGR collection.

“The governor is interested in the quality of education they give to our children in private schools, the curriculum content, the teachers, environment and infrastructure…

“He is interested to make sure that whatever you have in public schools has a corresponding presence in the private schools and government is not taxing education,” he stated.

On collection of N250,00 per child in private schools, frank maintained there is nothing like infant tax in Ebonyi, he reiterated that the developmental levy is paid even at the university level, adding that the levy is from the school fees proprietors charge per child.

“Parents pay fees of N50, 000 to N100,000 and they are not complaining, but government is saying from that fees collected, that proprietors should give us N250, 00 and you are now complaining.

” I do not think the government is asking for much. And don’t forget, some people do not charge that N250.00 per se. There are schools who tell parents the developmental levy is N3, 000 or N5, 000, do they remit that amount to the government? No! it’s like we are in a capitalist state, any little opportunity people want to capitalize and exploit the situation and now give a bad name to the government, it is not correct,” he retorted.

He also addressed the issue of government collecting N1,500 from those registering WAEC in private schools.

Onwe pointed out that government approved fee for WAEC is N16, 600 but that private schools are collecting not less than N30, 000 and from that N30, 000, government is also demanding that N1,500 be remitted by the school, not the students that have already paid for the WAEC.

On his part, the Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Ebonyi State, Elder Kingsley Chimereze Igboke, said the government has been good to them, adding that since he came on board, the association has been running the system with the government.

He further noted that the roads leading to some of their schools have been tarred by the state government, adding that if the state was not friendly with private schools, that such roads would have been avoided.

“We are fully in support of this government based on these developments,” he stated,
He added that NAPPS will stand to challenge anybody or group that says that the governor is not doing well, stating that in 2016 when the new IGR schedule was released, they paid a courtesy call to the governor and he set up a committee that looked into the matter and the whole thing as it concerns them was resolved and they have been running smoothly since then till now.

He suggested that a committee should be set up to look into the allegations made by different people as regards to payment of levies not approved by government and registering of WAEC and NECO outside the state by Ebonyians.

He said private schools are not in opposite direction with the state government.

By Angela Nwaeze

16 year old Charity Ekpa, from Ukwuagba, Ngbo community, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state, has been reportedly mutilated by a patent medicine dealer, Mrs. Onwe Oluchi who forcefully circumcised her.

Charity was dragged to the patent medicine dealer by her parents against her wish.

The trio were arrested by Ohaukwu police division while Charity was hospitalized.

Recall that the state Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Law stipulates four years imprisonment with or without N200,000 option of fine against perpetrators of FGM if convicted.

Those arrested are; Mrs. Onwe Oluchi the patent medicine dealer, Mr. Agbo Ekpa, Charity’s father and her mother Mary.

They were arrested following a petition by the legal Department of the state branch of National Orientation Agency(NOA).

Head of the legal Department of the Agency, Barr. Theresa Ama, had petitioned the state Commissioner of Police Awosola Awotinde after receiving a report from a traditional ruler in Ohaukwu local government on the 16 year old girl who was mutilated.

The HOD said: “last week, we were called by a traditional ruler in Ohaukwu that some persons mutilated a child of 16 years.

“when we rushed, we met the persons but the police didn’t give us good response because they are not aware of it. But when we went back there and clarified them, the next day we went there and they were arrested.

“They are still in police custody for now. We arrested the parents and the cutter; she is a patent medicine dealer, she sells drugs and she cuts in her chemist.

“So, the parents took the 16 year old girl forcefully and mutilated her. It is against the VAAP law and the child right Act. You don’t need to force a child to be mutilated. If the child says no, you must respect her no. But they forced the girl, we even went and took the girl to the hospital for medical check up and the Doctor confirmed that the child was mutilated. And so, with that report, we went to the police and show them the report and the parent and the cutter were
arrested”.

Also, the state Director of the Agency, Dr. Emma Abah confirmed the development while addressing students of Urban Model Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Ugwuachara, Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state during this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM.

He further disclosed that two female students of Ebonyi state university are currently battling for survival at National Obstetrics Fistula Centre(NOFIC), Abakaliki following complications of FGM.

“two students of Ebonyi state University have already developed problems, we have taken them to UNICEF. They are being treated at National Obstetrics Fistula Centre(NOFIC), Abakaliki free of charge.

“We don’t allow the victims name to be mentioned, we protect them . Even when they are talking, we are interrogating them, we cover their faces. So, we have handed them over to the centre for treatment.

“They were mutilated when they were young and now the problem developed. The problem may not be immediate. Ten years after, the problem starts. If you know any FGM persons who have any complication, any problem, send them to us quickly. A stitch in time saves nine, report to us immediately.

“In Ukwuagba community, we took the victims for medical checks to the NOFIC, that has been done. The Commissioner of police has given order that the perpetrators and parents of the victims should be arrested.

World Health Organization has listed Enugu State among States with high risk of coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria.

Other states include, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Lagos, Kano, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Delta and Bayelsa.

This was revealed by the technical officer on health emergency programme for WHO, Dhamari Naido while speaking to journalists at a media training for reporters on coronavirus outbreak.

She disclosed that Nigeria was self-assessed as high in a risk assessment by the organisation
According to the organization, the assessment probably took the direction because of the frequent travels between Nigerians and the Chinese.

She said: “Nigeria was self-assessed as high in a risk assessment by the World Health Organisation, primarily because of the frequent travel between China and Nigeria.”

She reiterated that while the WHO is working on strengthening surveillance at ports of entry by supporting temperature screening, and visual observation, airlines have also been informed about travel forms to enable monitoring of travellers coming in from China.

Naido noted that the international organization has deployed a surge team comprising of experts from the African region to support the work of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.

The technical officer on health emergency programme said the team will also help in planning and preparing the country against the coronavirus outbreak.
Source: Facebook

The family of Chiaha Ausustine Mmaduabuchi, was thrown into mourning as they got the news of sudden and unnatural death of their two sons, aged, 13 and 17 years old.

The incident happened on Sunday February 2, 2020 at Ndibe Beach, Afikpo North Local Government area of Ebonyi State.

The deceased, Chiaha Emmaneul Chigozie, 17 year-old and Chiaha Christopher Mmaduabuchi, 13 year-old, left their home that fateful day to Ndibe Beach to swim, but did not come back alive.

The Voice learnt that they had left the house at about 3pm under the guise that they were going for jogging, not until the news about their death filtered into the ears of their parents that it came to their knowledge that their children went to swim at Ndibe Beach.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah confirmed the report.
She said that the incident was reported to Afikpo North Police Division by the deceased father, stating that there was no mark of violence found on the deceased bodies.

“For now we are still investigating the matter no mark of violence was found on the deceased bodies, so we don’t suspect any foul play at the moment but investigation is still ongoing. “The two children left the house under the pretence of going to jog; and they left the jogging to go and swim and they both got drowned.

“We pray that our heavenly Father will give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. They are not mourning alone, the entire Ebonyi people, including the Ebonyi state police command are mourning with them.

“A boy of 17-year old was no longer a baby and his parents can’t be following him around, he should be the one taking care of his siblings, yet he led his younger one, 13-year old to the beach where they swam to death” she lamented.

… 2yr-old brother burnt to death

…Suspect still at large – Police

Tragedy struck Fulani residents at their Ugwuachara, Ebonyi state settlement on Sunday, February 2, 2020 as a 12 year-old son of the Chairman of Fulani herdsmen, Alhaji Usman Kadiri set his father’s house ablaze, killing his 2yr-old brother who was inside the hut.

Unfortunately, his reason for setting their house ablaze was not known at the time of filing this report.

The suspect is identified as Abudmal Kadiri, while the 2yr-old deceased was identified as Idiris Kadiri.
Apart from loss of life, properties were lost and the nomads are now rendered homeless.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.
She said that the matter was reported to the police by their father, Usman Kadiri, who stated that the incident happened at about 12 noon of that Sunday.

She said that the suspect was at large, but assured that the police will track him down.

On being under age, she noted: “We still have a place where we keep underage children who have committed one offence or the other. That’s the Remand Home or Correction Centres. So he will be kept there pending when he is of age.

“His case has to do with arson which resulted to the death of his brother, so it’s not a common offence.

“The small boy has been burial based on Islamic culture.

“The person that committed the crime and the one killed are from the same parents, even one of the victims who came to the station yesterday said the only thing he had left was the cloth he wore to the station.

“Please stop playing with fire because it has no respect for anybody,” she advised.