Outbreak of another deadly deceased, yellow
fever has killed about sixteen persons in Ebonyi state, while forty six
infected others are still receiving treatment.
The
incident has been confirmed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr.
Chirs Achi, who revealed that it happened in the Ndungele community in Izzi
Local Government Area of the state and that 62 cases were recorded.
He
narrated how he got a distress call from a villager who raised the alarm over
the strange deaths in the community which prompted him to send rapid response
team to the area.
Stating
that before the ministry could wade in fully, about sixteen people were already
dead while 46 others were already infected, adding that the yellow fever
outbreak was coming 21 years after the State had the last experience.
Dr
Achi noted that on getting to the community, the response team immediately
conducted case search on some of the victims who were already presenting the
symptoms, stressing that initially some of them were moved to Ndungele health
facility and Iboko health centre, but when the case became critical, they moved
them to the Virology Center in Abakaliki.
According
to him, “Somebody called me from one of the villages in Izzi Local Government
that there is a way people are dying in the village, that he is suspecting that
something maybe wrong”.
“On
getting the call, I immediately called health workers working in the area who
said no such case came to their clinic. I had to send our rapid response team
to visit the place regrettably, they got there it was a case of yellow fever
and unfortunately we have had about 16 deaths from the place.
“Another
set of the response team had to be moved to the place, conduct case search on
those who already had the symptoms, we immediately moved those still carrying
the virus to the health facility at Ndungele and when it was serious we moved
some to the virology center here in Abakaliki”.
“The
problem about the outbreak was that our people did not believe that they will
go to the hospital when they experience this yellowness of the eyes, they
believe that it can be treated with local herbs, that is why we recorded
casualties which should not have been”.
“We
have always insisted that people should make use of our health facilities. In
every 171 political wards in Ebonyi State, we have one health center that will
serve them,” he stated.
Dr.
Achi noted that someone had on the 15th of July, 2019 notified federal ministry
of health and center for disease control who has in the last two weeks been in
the State to access the level of the problem and thanked God they equally came
with drugs and consignment.
“We
are equally doing much to ensure that it does not spread to other parts of the
capital city. Yellow fever is not transmitted from human to human. It can only
be transmitted through Mosquito.
“There
are forest monkeys that equally carry yellow fever virus and if mosquitoes bite
the monkey and then bite somebody in the forest, or farm within 3 days, the
person will start having the yellow fever virus. It will continue to transmit
the virus that is the way the virus spread.
“There
was an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Benue State, so we are tracing how it came
to Ebonyi state. Some of the patients are still in the hospital but some have
been discharged. The state government has provided all it takes to control the
outbreak. All we want from our people is to report early.
“Yellow
fever comes with fever, typhoid and if it is not dictated on time it will start
eating blood and the person will go into coma. Some of them will go into renal
shut down, that is why those who survived have to report to the hospital and go
for renal test.
“It
damages the cells and can even lead to convulsion. Because of the damage the
liver cell that’s why we have the jaundice, yellowness of the skin.
“Everybody
is at risk, because if mosquito bites someone who is already infected and still
bite someone who is not, that person becomes a carrier.
“It
has incubation period of three to six days in the human body and after that it
will start giving you signs like fever.
“It is
the Aedes Specie of the mosquito that transmits the disease. The government
wants to carry out general awareness campaign. That is why we say every child
at the age of 9 months will be given yellow fever vaccine, he added”
Speaking
on measures taken by the ministry to
curtail the spread of the decease he stated: ”We equally have to move mosquito
treated nets to the community to ensure that every member of that community
sleeps under the treated net. We also moved mosquito treated nets to the
hospitals so that mosquitoes that have bitten an infected person will not bit
another person to continue the spread of the virus.
“The
treatment is just conservative, because it is a viral infection which is quite
unlike Lassa fever that you can use a particular drug to treat. This one is
just supportive treatment.
“We
replace blood because, some of the patients lose blood, we give fluid and we
treat other underlining infections. We equally take care of the fever and
stabilize the person and do barrier nursing of the patients.
“We
have sensitized members of the community and we have been on active case search
to identify those who are still carrying the virus within the community in
order to bring them to the facility. Our next line of action is yellow fever
vaccination campaign which we are going to cover the entire state; starting
from the affected local government area.
“Every
child that is born supposed to be given yellow fever vaccine at the age of nine
months and the vaccine gives life long immunity to the child. Adults who
received the yellow fever vaccination are equally immune for ten years, while
those who suffered it and survived, it will give them life long immunity. And
as an adult, for you to be immune, you must have taken the vaccine 10-14 days
before getting infected so that you body would have built up anti bodies
against the yellow fever. We started yellow fever vaccination in 2004. So, any
child that is born before 2004 who didn’t have the opportunity of getting this
yellow fever vaccine is all vulnerable.
“So,
if you check the ages of those affected by this disease, they are those who
were born before 2004 or those who didn’t receive the yellow fever vaccine. So,
the only way we can prevent it is by making sure people get vaccinated.” he
stated.
He
also advised against self medication, stressing that people need to visit
nearest health facilities when they are sick so that proper diagnosis could be
made.
Dr.
Achi also enjoined people to sleep inside treated mosquito net, while those
going to the farm are advised to wear long sleeves, booth and even hand gloves
to avoid exposing themselves to mosquitoes.
While those looking after a patient that is suffering yellow fever are expected to properly cover themselves to avoid mosquito bite.
Wonders they say shall never end as a man has been fined
Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) by his kinsmen or risk the forfeiture
of his house for sleeping with another man’s wife.
Mr. Nwaogwu (other name withheld by us) who hails from
Ekwashi Ngbo and also a neighbor to Mr. Nwali (other name withheld by us) had
claimed to have been mediating between Nwaogwu and his wife Mrs. Roseline over
a misunderstanding that ensued between them while she (Roseline) was on a visit
to her husband in Lagos.
Nwali as gathered
allegedly convinced the woman to meet him in a hotel where he slept with her on
several occasions.
After her supposed visitation to see her husband she
traveled back to Ekwashi Ngbo while Mr. Nwaogwu quickly followed suit.
Back in the village, Nwaogwu on one faithful day had a
serious argument with his wife, and Nwali’s wife came to ascertain what was the
problem as a neighbour and family friend, and on getting there, the mans wife
wasn’t on sight when Mr. Nwaogwu, grabbed her into their matrimonial bed and
started caressing her body.
His wife on seeing how he dragged her into their room
quickly trailed them to know what was happening, only to see her husband
romancing Mrs. Nwali who quickly shouted, claiming that Mr. Nwaogwu was trying
to rape her.
To exonerate himself, The Voice gathered that he (Mr.
Nwaogwu), immediately narrated how their extra marital relationship started,
disclosing that they have had mutual sex more than once .
However, on hearing the news, Nwali told Mr. Nwaogwu to
make ready N500, 000 to enable him get a new wife since he has taken over his
wife. Coming back to the village to collect the money and get a new wife, he
discovered that Nwaogwu didn’t comply.
Nwali quickly met with his kinsmen who ordered the ejection
of Mr. Nwaogwu and his family from their house pending when he complies or
forfeits the house to Mr. Emenike as compensation.
Speaking with one of the Kinsmen who pleaded anonymity, he
disclosed that the case was already on their table and was being handled.
“The case is currently being handled. The man who
committed the crime and even the woman are no where to be found. Though I have
not heard from the man whose wife was slept with lately, but we are on it.
As at the time of filing this report, Mr Nwaogwu and family were all at large while the case was been handled by their kinsmen at Ekwashi Ngbo.
Ebonyi state
alumni have on Friday, August 2, 2019 unanimously adopted uniform bye laws for
all the branches within and outside the state. The constitution was presented
by the chairman constitution amendment committee, Mr. Chukwuemeka Uwa and was
passed into voice vote by the National Chairman Comr. Kenneth Ereke during the
emergency congress held at the National Secretariat, CAS Campus Abakaliki.
According to
the chairman, he noted that the emergency congress was prior to the decision of
the last congress held on December 6, 2018 where the association agreed to
amend the alumni constitution and also presented the association’s financial
status.
According to
him, the amended constitution would help streamline the associate and checkmate
those who are not members of the association.
Among the
items amended was article 10 page 12 No. 3 which states “that every
election into every National office of the association shall be through a
delegate election.”
Expressing
satisfaction over the turn out of members, Comr. Ereke revealed that since its
establishment in 2015, the association has 11 branches which include Taraba,
FCT Abuja, Cross River, Aba, and Ebonyi while in the State they have Afikpo
branch, Izzi branch, Abakaliki, Onicha branch, Ohaozara branch and Onueke
branch.
He added that
the union has successfully built an Ultra-modern Medical centre which is at its
completion as well as other projects embarked upon by the union.
National President EBSU Alumni, Comr. Kenneth Ereke addressing members of the association
He also
cleared the rumour making the rounds by some unscrupulous members that his
tenure has elapsed since April, adding that is tenure would expire on October
2019
“We are
building Medical centre that has reached an advanced stage, they have roofed
it, and they are now at the plastering stage. Very soon we will finish it and
donate to the university, so that is one of the greatest projects. We are not
doing it one year one project, we started this last year, and we are almost
competing it despite the paucity of funds. We are already moving high and we
have the premonition that before next year even if we don’t complete it, we
would be able to dedicate it, “he said.
Earlier, the
Vice Chancellor, represented by the Registrar, Mrs. Bibian Nwokwu, appreciated
the association for their good works, while enjoining members to be of good
conduct and shun act capable of disintegrating the association.
“In our
university we are moving forward and without you the alumni, we cannot do these
things you are doing now. So I want to thank all the alumni members for all
your efforts in making sure that the association is a success. The governor has
done his best to make sure this institution is one of the best worldwide. I
want us to play our part, by being peaceful. In any organization when there is
no peace, there is no progress. If you are aggrieved in one way or the other, I
plead with you to reconcile. There is a saying that if you don’t honour someone
that is on the thrown, nobody will honour you.” she said
Cross section of members in attendance
Presenting the
association’s account from March 1, 2018 to February this year, the National
Treasurer, Mr. Ugoma Chimezie, revealed that the union was left with two
hundred and twenty four thousand, eighty seven naira, forty eight kobo after
expenses made by the union on Ultra -modern medical centre and lease of EBSU
VIP guest house projects.
High point of the meeting was presentation of two editions of EBSU alumni journal by the chief Editor, Dr. Kelechi Johnmary Ani of Alex Ekweme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo and other books to the vice chancellor to aid teaching and learning in the institution.
Recently,
Governor David Nweze Umahi, inaugurated his new cabinet, charging them to
discharge their duties diligently and to be productive.
This is even
as the governor during the inauguration of the last batch of his senior special
assistants and special assistants lamented that the number of exco members have
increased from 70 to 83.
Some of the
newly inaugurated commissioners are returning commissioners who worked with the
governor in his first term and who are part of the success and challenges
recorded so far in the Umahi’s led administration.
Although, the
successes of the previous administration out way the challenges, but the
challenges cannot be overlooked as they are yet to be surmounted.
Some of the
commissioners were adjudged to have done extremely well which earned them a
higher portfolio as they graduated, so as to say, from their previous ministry
to another, while the likes of Obinna Nwachukwu, the former commissioner for
Finance, Mrs. Ugo Nnachi, former commissioner for Commerce, Prof. John Eke,
former commissioner for Lands, Hon Sabinus Nwankwegu, former commissioner for
Education who is now a member of UBEB Board.
Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, former Commissioner for Information and state
Orientation who Governor Umahi acknowledged opted out of his government to give
way for the younger ones and Hon Euphemia Nwali, former commissioner for Water
Resources did not make it to Umahi’s second term as commissioners.
For those who
made it, congratulations to them, while the sacrifices of the likes of Sen.
Onwe will stand the test of time because he has shown what true leadership is
all about.
However, the
newly sworn-in commissioners should know that they have a task ahead. There are
some challenges that the government of Engr. David Umahi led administration are
still battling with in some sectors and some of them were part of his campaign
promises.
One of the challenges that faced and still
facing the present administration is non availability of drinkable water in the
state. This poses a great challenge to this administration as the residents
depend largely on borehole as well as sachet water from Enugu state, which
ought not to be so.
The this
government in the first administration performed poorly in water reticulation,
as it is known that the State has pumped in billions of naira to ensure that
the Oferekpe water scheme and the Ezillo water schemes become functional, and
that water is reticulated in the capital city. But despite the huge sum pumped
into these water projects, the state still suffers from lack of drinkable water
with no lasting solution on sight.
Therefore, the
commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Uchechi Wendy Okah has to ensure that
Ebonyi citizens are supplied with drinkable water to prevent the return of
water borne disease which was prevalent in the state in the 80’s and 90’s. We
hope that this present administration would provide drinkable water which is
one of the basic needs of every human.
Another major
sector Umahi’s administration should look into is health. Enough sensitization
should be carried in the rural area mostly as it concerns deadly viruses such
as Lasser fever and yellow fever which has killed so many people in the state.
Our health
centres should be fully functional so that those in the rural areas can access
treatment for malaria, typhoid fever without coming into town to be treated at
the tertiary health institutions.
In some places
the health centres are there but they are not equipped and no medical doctor is
even posted in those areas. Government needs to do more in this sector. In
Ebonyi State no year pass without the outbreak of Lassa fever which shows that
more sensitizations need to be done.
Also,
attention is needed in the area of Border Peace. The State has witnessed series
of communal crises in recent times, one of the pathetic incident witnessed
early this year was the killing of nine family members from Ikwo who attended
their brother’s matriculation in EBSU. Apart from communal clashes, the farmer
/ herders clashes are another great challenge the State needs to tackle.
Herders seem to be living happily with farmers in Ebonyi but a closer look at their
activities proves false to this claim.
While commending the governor on his effort to
curb cultism in State, this newspaper still believes that more needs to be done
to eradicate cultism in the state. While inter state boundary clashes are not
left out.
The State
needs to tighten it’s loopholes in security, and ensure that no foreigner
invades to unleash mayhem on the citizens of the State.
It’s also
known that the Umahi administration has outperformed his predecessors in
infrastructural development; we hope that this new commissioner for Works will
look into those streets that are yet to be constructed. Streets like Nibo
leading to mechanic village, Ebonyi Voice, completion of Orekeonuoha road as
well as others. Attention should also focused on the construction of rural
roads.
However, the
level of poverty in the State is gradually increasing despite efforts by the
State government to empower its people. Children and women are seen on daily
basis begging for alms especially at Union bank roundabout. That roundabout has
turned to a strategic point for begging. The present government should do
something about this, as these people use innocent children to beg for alms due
to the increase rate of poverty.
It is our take that these commissioners governor Umahi has assembled to work with him should as a matter of urgency work diligently and nip this challenges facing the state to the bud, and give no room for laziness.
gets stuck in hospital as she has no place to accommodate the babies, no money to cloth, feed them
By Joe-ogba Michael Onyebor
A woman, who identified herself as Mrs. Chinyere Okpuru
Ngboke, and was recently delivered of triplet after having five children, has
cried out for help.
Mrs. Ngboke is appealing to the government and the general
public to come to her aid as she and her children are stranded in the hospital
with no food and clothes.
She is a native of Agbaja Unuhu Community, and during an interaction
with The Voice Newspaper at Maternal and Child Healthcare Center (MCH)
Azuiyiokwu, No.14b Convent road, she disclosed that she was delivered of her
triplets on Monday 29th July and since then, she has remained in the hospital
because she has no home to go to and cannot afford to feed the new born babies.
She
narrated that she hawks sachet water while her husband Mr. Chinedu Okpuru
Ngboke, who used to be a businessman, currently has nothing doing and that she
had already given birth to five children before the triplets, making it a total
of eight children.
Her husband, Mr. Chinedu Okpuru Mgboke, told The Voice that
he used to have twelve (12) rooms bungalow at the now timber shade before it
was demolished during Ex-governor
Elechi’s regime and currently, they are
staying in an uncompleted
building after Hausa quarters.
Both parents of the
triplet appealed to well meaning Ebonyians and the government to come to their
aid as they do not have the financial capacity of taking care of the children.
“I am happy for the gift God has given my family but
my present situation has made this gift look like a burden. I appeal to the
general public and the government to come and help us. I gave birth to my
triplet on Monday, 29th July and since then, we have been here. We don’t have
where to lay our heads and food to eat.
“My husband currently does nothing for a living. I
used to hawk sachet water but with my triplet, I cannot do that now. Where we
are staying now is an uncompleted building after Ogbe Hausa. My Children and I
need help. I have given birth to five children before these ones.
“Anybody who wishes to help us should contact the
hospital or call the following phone number, 09032290637, account number
is: 3122504373, Account name: Ugbara Nwovu Grace, Bank: First Bank”.
Mrs. Okpuru stated.
On her part, Mrs. Odoh Elizabeth, the Officer In Charge
(OIC) of the health center, stated that it was in her opinion that they stay
back in the hospital since they lack proper accommodation for the new born
babies.
She disclosed that the woman does not feed well and at such
hinders the proper flow of breast milk from her breast and that the woman’s
condition requires that supplements be made available for the triplets.
Mrs. Odoh narrated that she was the person that supported
the woman financially and medically all through her antenatal period and
appealed to the general public to come to the aid of the woman and her
children.
“On 29th July, 2019, I had this triplet here in MCH
Azuiyiokwu. Their hospital bill which is 6,000 naira has already been paid by a
Good Samaritan but I asked them to stay because I saw that they still need
care.
“I found out that the woman is from a poor family. I
was the person that supported her all through her antenatal period because she
could not pay for her drugs and ultrasound.
“So I am appealing that people should come and help so that we can give these children life. For them to live, they need clothing and milk because their mother cannot feed them with breast milk only. The mother needs cloth and food too. Mrs. Odoh disclosed.”
officials task beneficiaries N200 for form, cruise home with over N1.3m
It was fraudulent to collect money under any guise for verification- Former focal person
I’m out of the country and cannot speak to you for long- Ugo Nnachi
By Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha
There was uproar at Unity Square Abakaliki
as Npower officials conducted head count in the State on Wednesday, August
2019.
The
exercise as gathered lasted for 3 days with Batch A and B in attendance,
numbering over 7000 beneficiaries on ground for the exercise.
During the exercise, beneficiaries where
told to pay the sum of 200 naira and a form was handed over to them to fill in
their details, after which they were asked to queue up and submit the form.
Unfortunately, the submission of form
didn’t go down well as fight ensued between the officials and the beneficiaries
over submission of form and collection
of polo, and a female Npower official was badly beaten during the struggle.
Later, the crowds which almost caused
stampede during the exercise were dispersed with gun shots by a police officer
at the venue of the head count.
Speaking to one of the beneficiaries
simply identified as Prosper, he lamented delay in collection of the form,
noting that the head count was not a genuine one since the officers failed to
collect the form from them. “What they are interested is the 200 naira,
they are not interested the headcount. We are up to 6000 beneficiaries here if
not more than and each one paying 200 naira will give them about N1.2million,
that was just what they were after.
Mr.
Gideon Ndubuisi, also a beneficiary of the N-Teach component of the scheme
explained that the state wide verification exercise was the first of its kind
in the state.
Ndubuisi
said verification exercise was done monthly at the local government area or at
one’s place of primary assignment without any charge.
He
decried the payment of N200 by every beneficiary and described the payment as
illegal and act of extortion by the N-Power state officials.
He
called on Federal government to probe the verification exercise and entire
N-Power scheme in the state.
His
words: “We were asked to come for the verification exercise and before now
the verification is usually done at the local government areas or at the place
on one’s primary assignment without any charge.
“We
were not told the reason for the state-wide verification but on reaching here,
I was issued with a form requesting personal information of the beneficiaries.
“You
are required to pay N200 before you are issued with a verification form, no
receipt is given to authenticate payment and I wonder where the money will go
to.
“If
they want to know if actually we are carrying out our duties, they should meet
us at the places of our primary assignments.
“There
is no justification for the exercise and I call on FG to probe the verification
and the N200 charged on beneficiaries “.
Another beneficiary, by name Chiamaka also
decried that the money was too much, as beneficiaries are yet to be paid,
adding that she had spent hours struggling to submit her form. Stating:
“They haven’t paid us, and we thought our coming here was just for the
head count then our money will be paid, yet they are collecting 200 naira from
us. After giving us this form, they have refused to collect the form. So paying
for the form was even useless.”
Also,
Mr. John Ofoke, a beneficiary in the N-teach component decried alleged
extortion by the official from beneficiaries for the verification exercise and
called for immediate probe into the N-Power programme in the state.
Ofoke,
who teaches at the Agbaja Central School, Nwofe in Izzi local government area
said that monthly verification exercise were usually at the local government
area or at the place of primary assignment.
“The
exercise is strenuous, illegal and came at a very short notice.
“Again,
the N200 we are asked to pay for form is not receipted as evidence of payment,
hence I am appealing to FG to investigate the illegal collection”, Ofoke
said.
Volunteers struggling for form
Mr. Nnanna Okoroafor, former N-Power focal
person in Ebonyi and South-East facilitator of the federal government sponsored social investment programmes, said
that it was fraudulent to collect money under any guise from N-Power
beneficiaries for purposes of verification.
The
South East and State Facilitator of NSIP noted that he wasn’t aware of such
exercise, adding that if it was from federal government, provisions would have
been made for the exercise.
He
said that the various component structures in the N-Power scheme were saddled
with the responsibility of verification of beneficiaries.
He
explained that verification exercise was usually done free at the local
government areas by the various implementation structures and not at the state
level.
Stating,
“The Agricultural Development Programme is in charge of N-agro, while the
Primary Health Care and Universal Basic education are in charge of N-Health and
N-teach components.
“The
Supervisory heads of the structures are responsible for verification of staff
under them at their local government areas”.
When
contacted, Mrs. Ugo Nnachi, N-Power focal person for Ebonyi declined comment
saying that she travelled out of the country.
She said: “Speak with any of the officials on the field, I am out of the country and cannot speak to you for long”.
Ebonyi
state Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has given reasons for the appointment
of the Secretary to the State Government Dr. Kenneth Ugballa, as a commissioner.
The
SSG, who was among the commissioners sworn in by the governor on Wednesday, had
last month taken oath of office as the Secretary to State Government.
However,
Gov. Umahi cleared the air on Wednesday during the swearing in when he explained
to the public why he appointed Ugballa as the coordinating commissioner.
He said that the reason for appointing
Ugballa as commissioner was to afford him the full right to become a member of
the Executive, and to coordinate other commissioners other than the Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice, whom, he said, remains the chairman of
the State Executive Council Meeting.
“You may begin to wonder why the Secretary to
State Government was sworn in. Dr. Ugballa is still the secretary to the state government,
but, all Secretaries to government at federal levels are coordinating
commissioners. Although, I can make one of the commissioners coordinating
commissioner, but, I prefer to make my SSG, coordinating commissioner
“The
way it works is that at EXCO, the Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice, still remains the number one commissioner. But, protocol-wise, outside
EXCO, Secretary to state government (SSG) comes ahead of other Commissioners,
coordinating their offices.
“So,
it is done to make my work easier so that he will have the authority to be a
member of EXCO, and should be able to follow all the decisions of EXCO
alongside other commissioners”, he stated.
Also,
governor Umahi charged the newly appointees to come up with new ideas which
will help them to create wealth in their various offices.
He
made it crystal clear that their appointments were not a political patronage,
but rather, proof of being in a hurry to develop the state more.
And he
specifically told the coordinators of Development Centers to ensure effective
supervision of schools and primary health Centers in their Development Centers.
Umahi
threatened to sack any political office holder that did not live up to
expectations.
Others sworn in were members of the Local Government Advisory Committee, and 13 out of the 64 Coordinators of Development Centers.
Laments Exco Members increased to 83 in 2nd tenure
By Angela Nwaeze
Governor
David Umahi has sworn not to appoint more aides into his cabinet after he
released the lists of his commissioners, Senior Special Assistants and Special
Assistants recently.
The
governor lamented that the number of the executive council members have
increased from 70 to 83.
He
revealed this on Tuesday during the swearing in of the last batch of SSAs and
SAs according to him at Exco Chambers, government house Abakaliki.
Umahi on Tuesday swore-in three Senior Special
Assistants, nine Senior Assistants and nine members of the Secondary Education
Board.
While
on Wednesday, 27 commissioners including the SSG were sworn in at the Akanu
Ibiam International Conference Centre Abakaliki.
He
reiterated that, “The appointment into the SEB for instance is not a political
patronage as our problem is that about 99 per cent of appointees view such as
political patronages.
“People
appointed as Senior Technical Assistants before, requested to be appointed
‘even’ as SAs which implies that they do not understand what the position
means”.
The
governor charged the SEB chairman to divide the members into Local Government
Areas and zones so that any person who didn’t perform will receive his or her
punishment as an individual instead of the board carrying the blame.
Stating;
“There is no reason for SEB members to be in Abakaliki as 95 per cent of its
staff members should be in the field.
“Every
appointment attracts over 1,000 enemies and appointees should stop complaining
about the portfolios they were assigned but create wealth from such.
“Nobody
has a particular ministry to himself and when you see a job not done, do it and
don’t mind the person complaining, let him continue.”
While
urging Secretary to the State Government, and aides on internal security to
float a security bond where banks and other members of the private sector would
contribute
“The
banks have refused to assist the government even by donating vehicles in spite
of the fact that most of them owe us.
“Create the bond, meet the banks one by one and solicit assistance from the society to do your jobs,” he added.
Millers fight blanders for using Incomplete bushel to sell rice
Three injured in a free-for-all
By Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha
Abakaliki
rice millers have raised their voices against alleged fraud being carried out
by blanders who they accused of using incomplete bushel to sale rice to
consumers after buying from them (millers) with complete measurements.
According
to the rice millers, the blanders who buy from them in large quantity cheat the
consumers by using incomplete bushels to sell rice which according to millers
has seriously affected the sells as customers no longer come to the mill to buy
the rice.
Following
the fraudulent activities of the blanders, the millers resolved not to sell
rice to them again. But that decision did not go down well with the blanders
who confronted them (millers) on Wednesday and destroyed already packaged
milled rice.
Seeing
that about three persons have already been injured, the millers hurriedly shut
their shops to prevent destructions of their rice and other properties.
One of
the millers’ supporters, Innocent Achi, stated: “The rice millers said they are
tired of fraud. They said they did not want the blanders because they are not
being fair to the consumers. Chinedu
Eshi my brother became angry and started scattering any rice they see because the
millers said they will not sell rice to the blanders again. If the normal
bushel use in selling rice is 40 cups, their own will be 36. They will minus
four cups. It is what the rice millers
want that we are supporting”.
On his
part, a miller, Friday Okpoto said “the problem is that they are people that
are making use of incomplete tin to sell rice. They make use of fraudulent
bushels. They are known as blanders. The bladders operate this way. When they
buy rice from us, they will use incomplete bushel to sell it, therefore after
buying rice, the rice would be incomplete. The millers do not want those
people.
“Because
we say we do not want them, the bladders went to the former Chairman because he
is the one that constituted them and reported the matter. When the millers said
they will not sell rice to them, they will come to our shop and start forcing
you to sell rice to them, even they scattered millers rice. The rice millers
are begging the government to intervene”.
Meanwhile,
one of the blanders, Nwali Nwakaego, alleged that the millers don’t want them
to survive. “The rice millers do not want us to stay in the rice mill.
For
over one month, we do not have anything doing. We have approached them begging
them to forgive us, but they refused that was why we went to the house of
assembly. Some of the rice millers said they would not sell rice to us again,
that is why we started rioting.
“Since
they say we will not sell our rice, we also will not allow them to sell their
own as well. We are the ones that poured their rice away. We are not using
incomplete bushel. We cannot stay at home and allow hunger to kill our
children. Our children no longer go to school and are hungry. We have asked
them to bring the bushel they want us to use. We are even ready to make use of
the savage.
On her
part, Chairman of the blanders, Mrs. Ununu Nenna, said despite the intervention
by the state House of Assembly committee set up to look into the matter which
ordered that they should be allowed to do their businesses in the mill, the
millers have refused to sell rice to them forcing them to resist it.
“When
the committee from the house of Assembly came, it directed that we should go
ahead with our normal businesses, that from Monday they would address the
problem. Immediately they left, the chairman said that they should not sell
rice to these women, that the house of Assembly does not have power to
intervene on the matters concerning the millers.
“I am
also a mill owner, but I wonder why other rice millers have refused to sell rice
to them. So many people were injured and others wounded. We want the government
to come to our aid because immediately the committee members from the house
left, they started beating the women, saying that they would not sell rice to
them”, she claimed.
Meanwhile, the blanders numbering about 50 from Abakaliki Rice
Mill, on Monday August, 5 2019 protested to the State Assembly over what they
alleged to be discrimination and maltreatment melted on them by the new
caretaker chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill, Mr. Samuel Ogodo.
The women who vowed not to end their
protest until their demands were met decried countless humiliation and
maltreatment from their present boss.
Speaking with one of their leaders, Mrs. Ofoke
Patricia, she alleged that for two months now, the caretaker Chairman of the
Rice Mill, Mr. Samuel Ogodo and his men chased them out of the mill and has
stopped them from working and doing their legitimate businesses in the area.
The protesting women further alleged that
Mr. Ogodo asked them to settle him with fifty thousand naira per person before
he can allow them stay in the Rice mill.
Another Woman, Mrs. Juliet Nwaji, added
that they could no longer bear the maltreatment, discrimination and extortion,
hence, their resolve to stage the peaceful protest with the aim of drawing the
lawmakers and the State government’s attention to their plights.
They therefore demanded that the State
government compel the acting chairman to allow them do their businesses at the
Rice Mill without harassment and also appealed to the government to checkmate
the excesses of the Rice Mill chairman.
On his
part, the Abakaliki Rice mill Industrial
Owners Association, Chief Samuel Ogodo debunked the alleged vacate order as
purportedly reported by blanders during their peaceful protest at the entrance
gate of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
Mr. Ogodo said that the activities of blander
women have brought disrepute to the Ricemill industry and the state in general
as they manufactured their own magic bushel which is not accurate, thereby
reducing it from 25kg to 20kg.
He
said the blanders are cheating the consumers by depriving them of 5kg, stating
that their consistent illegal actions have scared customers away from the
Ricemill industry.
He said that the Rice mill industry has
standard unit measurement and blander women have bluntly refused to abide by
the constitution.
He maintain that he would leave no stone
unturned in repositioning the Ricemill industry by ensuing sanity and standard
of operations in the industry to bring it back to it glory.
Reacting
to the recent development, the former Chairman of the Ricemill industry, Hon.
Joseph Ununu who is now an Honourable Member in Ebonyi State House of Assembly
representing Abakaliki South Constituency, frowned at the action of the
Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Samuel Ogodo, saying it’s a taboo to ask the blander
women to vacate the Ricemill industry premises with out recourse and human
face.
He
claimed that the blander women have been operating since the Ricemill industry
was established in 1957 and requested that the blander women should be allowed
to remain where they are.
He commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru for constituting a five man Committee to handle the matter for possible lasting peace in the Ricemill industry.
…Says
he will strictly follow Gov. Umahi’s Directives
By Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha
Member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, at the
National Assembly, Hon. Lazarus Nweru Ogbee, has refuted recent publication
which claimed that he is a betrayer and have successful betrayed his political
masters he worked with including former Gov. Martin Nwanchor Elechi.
Ogbee while
interacting with journalists in Abakaliki described the claim as unfounded even
as the publication stated that among those he also betrayed was Chief Innocent
Chima.
The National
Assembly member stated, “I have never worked under Innocent Chima as my master
or as my colleague in the political community and there is no way I could have
act as a betrayer to him.”
Speaking on
betraying former Governor Martin Elechi, he noted that if he had betrayed the
former governor as claimed, he wouldn’t have been allowed to serve as chairman
of Ezza South Local Government under Elechi after being a coordinator. Adding
that 2014 was a tumultuous period in the politics of Ebonyi State which was
orchestrated by the battle of who would take over from Elechi as the next
governor of Ebonyi State.
“We came together
in 2007 when I was appointed a coordinator by him, under his administration; if
I did betray him I wouldn’t have been allowed to become the chairman of Ezza
south local government council. I was a coordinator for two years and two
months and I resigned and contested for chairman in Ezza south LGA and won…
“So many other factors culminated to my
becoming the first Ezza South person to be reelected to the position of
chairmanship or chairman of the council for a second term successfully. A
betrayal wouldn’t have landed such a plum position, or wouldn’t have had the
nod of the governor of the state.
“Thereafter, we had a tumultuous period in
the polity of Ebonyi state that was in 2014. The then governor Elechi,
presented three names of people he wanted to succeed him.
“Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the then minister
for health, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu former Deputy Governor, and David Umahi, the
present governor of Ebonyi state.
“He gave us the opportunity to make choice
and I chose David Nweze Umahi, and without mincing words I meant every business
with the choice and I went all out to campaign for him that was not a betrayal.
“Eventually, the then government of the
state went out of their way to drop the three earlier possible candidates
mentioned, and then went for architect Edward Nkwegu of Ebonyi North. Nobody
should have said that anybody betrayed him, I made my choice out of the three
and I went for my choice.” he maintained.
On his present relationship with governor
Umahi, Ogbee said that it is cordial and that as an ardent follower of the
governor, he will strictly adhere to his directives as long as Ebonyi politics
is concerned.
Stating, “I don’t think father or son will
go out to the market and say this is what I say to my father in the night or in
the morning. If I have any reason to request for anything from the governor of
the state I will go to him, and if there is any reason to call my attention to
anything either in my local government, ward or anywhere he has always done
that. And I think the cordiality has been there and it has been doubled.
“That is why we accessed his performances
and called for a second chance for him to serve as the governor of the state.
The Governor is always happy with me as a son.
“I don’t think father or son will go to
the market and say this is how we are relating. If I have any need to make any
request from the governor, I will go straight and do that, our relationship is
cordial. If he has any reason to call my attention to anywhere, he has always
done that” he noted.
The federal
lawmaker also spoke on other issues which include the ‘Abuja group’ sponsoring
bills, as well as some of his projects. Below are the interactions.
May we meet you Sir,
I’m
Hon. Chief Lazarus Nweru Ogbee, Onyechimereze 1, of Ezza South, member
representing Ezza South/ Ikwo federal constituency at the green chambers of the
national assembly.
You have been accused
of betraying your political masters including former governor Martin Elechi,
what is your take on this allegation.
Yes,
recently, my attention was drawn to some publications both in the national
dailies and our local tabloids.
In the
said publications, there was this allegation that I, Honorable Lazarus Nweru
Ogbee, have in so many areas and some quarters betrayed those that worked with
me in politics or people that I worked under in the business of politics.
That
is why I am here to refute that and to actually put straight some of the
allegations made against my personality in the write up.
I came
from the political dynasty of late
senator Vincent Obasi Usulor, so there wouldn’t be anyway anybody would be
alleging that I betrayed Innocent Chima. I have never worked under him as my
master or as my colleague in the political community and there is no way I
could have act as a betrayal to him.
In
all, the way I have been in politics especially between 1996 that Ebonyi was
created or carved out form Enugu and Abia state, I have worked with PDP and I’m
in PDP.
Without
prejudice to the image of Chief Innocent Chima or his integrity, he has been
freelancing from APP to ANPP to PDP and back to APC. But I have remained in PDP except for once
that I joined my leader late senator Vincent Obasi Usulor, Senator Ngiji Ngele,
Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku very briefly to ANPP and we returned back to PDP.
It is
never correct that I betrayed Innocent Chima, we never worked together in
politics not to talk of one betraying the other.
On the
side of my father, my master, Chief Martin Elechi, we came together in 2007
when I was appointed a coordinator by him, under his administration, if I did
betray him I wouldn’t have been allowed to become the chairman of Ezza south
local government council. I was a coordinator for two years and two months and
I resigned and contested for chairman in Ezza south LGA and won.
After
just one year and some months, we had the opportunity of been accessed by both
the NUJ Ebonyi state chapter, local government administrative council at the
state level, beyond the state, beyond south east and the entire country. Even
the committee on LGA in the National Assembly and at each quarter, I was
adjudged the best chairman.
So
many other factors culminated to my becoming the first Ezza South person to be
reelected to the position of chairmanship or chairman of the council for a
second term successfully. A betrayal wouldn’t have landed such a plum position,
or wouldn’t have had the nod of the governor of the state.
Thereafter,
we had a tumultuous period in the polity of Ebonyi state that was in 2014. The
then governor Elechi, presented three names of people he wanted to succeed him.
Prof.
Onyebuchi Chukwu, the then minister for health, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu former
Deputy Governor, and David Umahi, the present governor of Ebonyi state.
He
gave us the opportunity to make choice and I chose David Nweze Umahi, and
without mincing words I meant every business with the choice and I went all out
to campaign for him that was not a betrayal.
Eventually,
the then government of the state went out of their way to drop the three
earlier possible candidates mentioned, and then went for architect Edward
Nkwegu of Ebonyi North. Nobody should have said that anybody betrayed him, I
made my choice out of the three and I went for my choice. So many other local
government chairmen made their choices and so many joined me in the quest for
Engr. Chief David Umahi, to become the Governor of Ebonyi state and I don’t
regret my position.
When
it was time to present at the national secretariat of PDP, I presented myself,
and when it was also time to present another person or join another person to
the national Secretariat I did not go.
That
didn’t show betrayal, that didn’t show that I was a coward and that didn’t mean
that I can’t stand up to what I choose.
Actually,
I am happy to announce that David Umahi made it as the governor of Ebonyi state
and to the glory of God all of us are enjoying it today, nobody is bringing
remunerations to Laz Ogbee, some of us that were the earlier apostles, that saw
the star, not only that we followed the star to the place of birth. So I have
never betrayed anybody that is my master.
It was gathered that
you were restrained from the sponsorship of cult groups in the guise of Onyechimereze association which you
floated to technically drive home your political ambition.
Onyechimereze as a
title was given to me by my community. My community assembled, everyone in my
community came together and invited the public for a thanksgiving ceremony when
I was the chairman of the council. That was where, how and when the title came
in.
It did
not emanate from me but from my Traditional ruler and the entirety of my
community called Amaezekwe which is the oldest community in Ezza south LGA.
They crowned me Onyechimereze, which means the “One crowned by
God”.
When I
had the opportunity to be giving a title by the Ebonyi state college of
Education Ikwo, they equally crowned me “”Onyechimereze”of
Ikelegu Kingdom, which is the kingdom they have in Ikwo.
As a
traditional titled chief of my community, I had to go by the title, people call
me the name and I so cherish it, because my people thought about it for years
before they gave me the title.
It has
no relationship with any group, either cult group or any other social group or
any other group at all. I am not a member of any cult group, I do not belong to
any and I don’t wish to belong to any. And if anybody is annoyed with the name
the person can equally pick onyekwensumereze, I.e. the one crowned by devil
1. Then we will be calling the person that name along the streets of Ebonyi
state. But for me, I cherish what my people gave me as a very good title. One
crowned by God and I so much reverend God, because without him I wouldn’t have
been here today to address you.
It was also alleged
that all the funds designated for constituency projects such as renovation of
schools, access roads, portable water supply, have been diverted into payment
of hotel suites where you accommodated your girlfriends
I
don’t have any enemies; I have both male and female friends. If anyone comes to
me for assistance that I can easily afford, I will oblige you. If I have need
to help anybody, both less privileged, downtrodden, I will not hesitate to help
because I represent not only the people of Ezza south/Ikwo, but those from
other areas.
But to
put end to that allegation, actually, I stand to be challenged the record is
there, nobody that has represented my constituency Ezza south/Ikwo constituency
that can come close to my achievements within the four years I have represented
my people.
About
primary schools, you can go round the state and find out how many of my
colleagues and what they have done in education, but for me I am talking about
myself, I have been able to attract primary school buildings both in Ikwo and
Ezza south where l came from.
If you
go to central school Oronha today, in Amagu community, in Ikwo LGA you will see
the building there attracted by Laz Ogbee, community school Ameka Ikwo the
same, community school Amezekwe, community school Ndiagazu, Ezza High school
Amuzu where I attended secondary school, the longest building there was
attracted by me so that is it on education.
You go
to health sector, the little time we have here cannot not be enough for me to
enumerate my achievements in that sector, but I have catalog of what I have
been able to attract for my people.
In
power sector, I have completed electricity projects in Ndufu-Alike Ikwo,
Enyibuchiri, Umunnwagu Idembia and several other places.
Have you sponsored any
bill in the green chambers?
I have
sponsored bills in the House, I have supported motions. Anybody talking about
Laz Ogbee not moving any motion, supported or seconded any motion is actually
talking nonsense and the person cannot actually say he/she knows the workings
of the National Assembly.
There are also claims
that you do not assist your people in getting federal employments, what is your
take?
I
cannot blow my trumpet, you can go to my constituency, even beyond my
constituency, and you can see people that I have helped to get employment both
in police, military and so on. Let me start from home, in Alex Ekwueme Federal
University Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNIA), I have people that got employment there
through my request. I attracted employment for some people at the Bureau of
Public Procurement Abuja, in the foreign Affairs I have two persons from Ebonyi
state, one from Ezza south one from Ikwo.
Just
like I mentioned police, in the last police recruitment I have three ASPs and
six inspectors. I won’t be counting rank and file; I’m counting from officers’
cadre, and in the army too, every other areas of employment. Other federal
parastatls and MDAs, you can go there and if you want I can release the names.
Anybody saying that I have not attracted employment is a joker and probably the
person cannot read and write not to talk of mentioning names of people.
Why I
don’t over stress myself on such issues is that people making such allegations
have never contested election from councillorship to presidency. They have
never contested election until recently they thought they can contest and win
Laz Ogbee.
You
cannot come into the field of politics and think you can win a field marshal
like me. I am a field marshal in the field of politics. We contest to win
because of our pedigree, because of my antecedent. I have positively touched
the lives of so many people, and I have not betrayed any of my masters or
people that are serving me. I have represented very effectively at every level
of representation I found myself and that is why the people have not found any
reason not to vote for me.
If I
have the opportunity of contesting any other election tomorrow or next tomorrow
I will still win as usual, it has become a normal setting in my own activities.
It is
out of jealousy or whatever they may tag it, that those people are talking
rubbish both in the print and broadcasting Media. I will be doing favor to them
by replying them. I’m only trying to put
some records straight.
Do you think all these ‘persecution’ and propaganda is still an
off shoot of the election, and we are aware that the matter is still lying
before the court, is the future bright for you?
Well,
whatever I have been on earth I have not actually made it for myself, it has
been God and God alone and I think laying so much emphasis on my opponent in
the last election will be giving him much credence. I have actually called as
somebody that contested election against me to come over let us join hands
together for further development of our place, I.e. Ezza South/ Ikwo federal
constituency. I don’t think I should be giving much attention to him if he has
refused, just as he has refused to come over.
About
the petition he wrote to the tribunal, it is already there, and hopefully by
the special grace of God, the will of the people demonstrated on the 23rd of
April 2019 would be upheld.
Are you bothered by that?
I am
not bothered and that is not the first time I’m being taken to tribunal. When I
won as the local government chairman of Ezza south for the first time I was
taken to tribunal, the second time I was also taken to tribunal. When I won for
the National House of Representatives in 2015, I was taken to tribunal and I
won. So I don’t think that should bother me.
I am
more concerned on how to deliver very actively and sincerely, the dividends of
democracy to my constituents. No amount campaign of calumny can force my humble
self to capitulate in the face of unfounded allegations by passers by in
politics.
Since the issue of Abuja group came on board has it by any means
affected your relationship with the governor and is the bond you people shared
when he was a deputy governor still there?
I
don’t think father or son will go out to the market and say this is what I say
to my father in the night or in the morning. If I have any reason to request
for anything from the governor of the state I will go to him, and if there is
any reason to call my attention to anything either in my local government, ward
or anywhere he has always done that. And I think the cordiality has been there
and it has been doubled.
That
is why we accessed his performances and called for a second chance for him to
serve as the governor of the state. The Governor is always happy with me as his
son.
On the
issue of Abuja group, people are using it to draw attention but it will be a
waste time, and our God given knowledge to answer to such things because we
know the level of our relationship and no person can come between us in my
relationship with the governor. I did not go to take excuse from anybody to
support my Governor, and I will not take excuse from anybody to continue to
support him. Just like he didn’t take excuse from anybody to support me to
become a house of reps member and to go for a second term. If by tomorrow he
says I should not go again to House of Reps or I should support so person for
any position, I’m making myself very clear, I will be readily available to
support whatever is his programmes in the state. As you can notice in all the
activities of the government you have always seen me there and I have made
myself clear about my position in the programmes of the state and I don’t think
the insinuation of the neophytes in politics should attract attention.
A situation where the petitioner realizes some of his mistakes and
comes begging, will you be readily available to forgive him?
I don’t have vested interest in prolonging any issue with anybody, we have forgiven so many people including those that fought us to a stand still in the then Labour party /PDP in 2015 and the petitioner was equally part of it and he is equally part of whatever arrangements that have been going on against the government of the state. Anytime he decides to repent and become a very good citizen of the state we will give him a very rousing welcome. He has serve PDP as the Youth Leader, so anytime he decides we will bring him back and re-baptize him.
