By Chidinma Ikenna-Imoeze

Development and Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation (DIG), in partnership with International Republic Institute (IRI), has called on government to involve the masses in their decision making and implementation.

This was advocated by the executive director of Development and Integrity Intervention Goal foundation, Mr. Ajah Chima Oliver, during a one day sensitization programme with CSO’s, Media and political parties in the State.

The theme of the seminar was, “Using OGP Open Government Partnership as tool for promoting accountable governance and improved service delivery in Ebonyi State, and it was held at Kazeem Hotel Abakaliki on Thursday August 1, 2019.

Addressing participants, Mr. Ajah noted that Open Government Partnership which has launched its action plan in Ebonyi with the inauguration of Steering Committee on Monday April 29, 2019 at government house, Abakaliki, is an international initiative that was launched on 20th September 2011 that provides a platform for domestic reformers to make their governments more open, accountable and responsive to citizen

He said the project was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, citizens’ participation, and harness new technology to strengthen governance.

 He revealed that the OGP project would last for 12 months with different activities ranging from advocacy meeting on OGP and service delivery around healthcare, education, water and sanitation with target MDAs /stakeholders in Ebonyi state.

Also, a one day political /CSOs /media sensitization on OGP and service delivery among other activities would focus on three thematic areas which include fiscal transparency, access to information and citizens engagement.

Speaking with the executive director DIG foundation, Ajah Oliver, he noted that the aim of the programme is to build alliance between CSOs, Media and political parties in holding government accountable and improving service delivery in Ebonyi State,

Adding: “let us come together as a team and demand for accountable governance and demand for inclusion, participation and then service delivery

“What I expect from the people, is for us to have a collective action pursing forward for accountable governance and improved service delivery and from the government, I expect a kind of responsiveness, when the people demand for something, the government should respond towards the peoples need. Consult the people before taking decision that will affect their lives whether positive or negative.” he said.

 The State coordinator, International Republic Institute (IRI), Ani Chibueze Anthony, revealed the project is to give voice to the voiceless in the society and to press home the peoples’ needs 

“We are clamouring on them to make sure that those promises are delivered, secondly, we are looking at the situation where the citizens’ voices are heard, that is the purpose of the town hall meeting. So you know the needs of the people.

“We are here so that the citizens will be carried along in the decision making and that the government is responsive to all those needs.”

He further advised CSOS and media to ensure that the government delivers on their promise or mandate.

• As drums of accolades roll for outgoing president.

By Joe-Ogba Michael Onyebor

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), on Friday August 2, elected and inaugurated new executives to pilot affairs of the association for the next four years.

The event which took place at Peoples Club Abakaliki, kicked off with the accreditation of delegates from the state Local government levels of the association, after which the nominees were allowed to roll out their manifestos and respond to questions from its members.

However, the election saw the emergence and inauguration of all the nominees as they contested unopposed and certificates of return were all issued to them by the returning officer, Engr. J. Udochukwu Wilson.

In his speech, the outgoing President and the Deputy President South East Zone of the association, Chief Onyeoma Kelechi, who had earlier at the event presented the accounts and every other working document of his administration in the last 4 years which was unanimously adopted, admonished the incoming exco to work for the unity and progress of the association.

He thanked the members for the support offered to him during his tenure as president.

He further charged the new exco to maintain the good relationship the association have with the government through his administration and charged members to continue to comply with government policies and laws as he will continue to support the new leadership.

“I thank the state government for the good relationship they have with us and I charge the incoming exco to maintain the relationship. I will continue to support them even from the zonal level”. He stated.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Dave Umahi on Private Schools Development, Hon. Frank Nwaka Onwe, who observed the election and inauguration, thanked the electoral officers for an election without violence and rancor.

Addressing the new leadership, he opined: “Am aware that you don’t receive salaries. It is not easy. I salute you for accepting that honorable responsibility.

While charging the female members of the association to step up to responsibilities by vying for elective positions, he maintained that the state government will continue to partner with the association.

On his own part, the National Secretary of the association, Mazi Enyinnaya, while charging the new excos to be up and doing, thanked the state government on behalf of the association for the support the state chapter has gotten.

“As you work in the vineyard of NAPPS, God will work in your own vineyard. On behalf of NAPPS national, we want to appreciate the governor for the synergy existing between his government and NAPPS…” he stated.

Elder Kingsley Chimereze Igboke, the newly elected chairman of the association, thanked the delegates for deeming him fit to lead the association, stating that he will ensure that all the legacies of his predecessor will be kept as he will look into the welfare of members of the association.

“I will ensure that the constitution of this great association is implemented. I will sustain the legacies of my wonderful predecessor as my exco and I will run an all inclusive leadership”, he noted.

Also, the newly elected General Secretary, Prince Chukwuma Usulor, who is the outgoing Assistant General Secretary pledged to do more to the growth of the association as he will digitalize his secretarial duties, disclosing:” In every meeting, before you get to your homes I will make sure that you receive the minutes in your phones and laptops”.

The new exco as elected and inaugurated include, Elder Kingsley Chimereze Igboke, Chairman, Mr. Nomeh Felix Nwudo, Vice Chairman, Prince Chukwuemeka Benard Usulor, General Secretary, Rev. Chukwukere Obinna Peter, Assistant State Secretary, Agu Godwin Nwankwo, Treasurer.

 M.I Ezeali Eqwuiro Financial Secretary, Ndubuisi Daniel Okechukwu, Publicity Secretary, Agbo Sunday I., Welfare and Organizing Secretary, Eni Chinyere Chibuike, Assistant Welfare and Organizing Secretary, Onumarah Edmund, Auditor and Barr. Agbom Friday, Legal Adviser.

• By Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha

Two persons have been electrocuted at Kings Agro Factory located at Nise Street Abakaliki the state capital.

The victims were identified as Justice and Usulor Chukwudi, from Ezza North and Ikwo local government areas of Ebonyi state.

The Voice gathered that four workers of Kings Agro Factory were working with their boss, Onyebuchi Anworo, when the ladder they were working with fell on top of naked electric wire.

The four victims were left unconscious immediately the incident happened and they were rushed to the Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki were Justice and Chukwudi were confirmed dead.

But the other two, Akochi Chineme and Onwe Emmanuel, were still battling for their lives at AE-FUNAI at the time of filing this report, while their boss was arrested.

The incident was confirmed by Ebonyi state public relations officer, Loveth Odah.

She said that two of the victims were confirmed dead in the hospital, while others were receiving treatment.

In her words: “It was 6pm on Friday on 26th of July, 2019 that one Onyebuchi Anworo of Ukwuansi Street, Abakalki an Alumaco engineer with Aguegbo Chisco Aliminum company came to Eke -Aba central police station and reported that same date, that while they were fixing Alumanco widows at Kings Agro Factory at Nise street by Afikpo road in company of four of his workers, an iron ladder which they use in working fell on top of a naked electric cable wire and got four of the workers electrocuted and they became unconscious.

“The victims were rushed to Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. The victims are one Akochi Chineme, 32 years of Oriuzor, Ezza North, Onwe Emmanuel 32 years, of 55 Nteje street, Usulor Chukwudi of Oriuzor Ezza North and one Justice of Ikwo whose surname is unknown.

“He said two of them were confirmed dead at FETHA while the two others are responding to treatment. The DPO led operation to the area, visited the scene of the crime and hospital and the two are in stable condition.

“Onyebuchi was taken to police station for questioning and the matter is under investigation to ascertain if there is a foul play”.

By Angela Nwaeze

The Ebonyi State Government has approved N500 million out of the N5.1 billion Paris Club Refund for the payment of full gratuities to retired civil servants in the State.

Head of Service, Chamberlin Nwele, announced this during a joint press briefing by selected Council members, held on Wednesday at the Executive Chambers Government House, Abakaliki.

He said that the payment of the gratuities would only be restricted to Civil Servants who retired from 2015 to 2019 under the present administration.

Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi, during the inauguration of the Chairman and members of the State Universal Education Board, made it crystal clear that he would not go into full payment of backlog of gratuities he inherited from previous administrations in the State, going by the economic realities.

However, the HOS explained that the State Government had earlier paid 40 per cent of all cumulative gratuities to all retirees in the State, stressing that the current sum would be focused on paying the full balance of the gratuities to only the stipulated categories.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Blessing Ezeoke, disclosed that N975 million has been released as part of World Bank projects in the state for renovation and equipment of selected schools.

She noted that the Council has approved the selection of three secondary schools, one in each senatorial zone of the State, for upliftment as Special Model Schools, which would be under full scholarship for admitted students.

According to Ezeoke, the admission would only be open to exceptionally intelligent students who would score 90 and above in special entrance examinations required for admission into the schools.

She reiterated that the School, which would be fully residential for the students, would also incorporate holiday technological and vocational skills acquisition programmes as part of its curriculum.

 “The school would be totally free, free accommodation, uniform, tuition and the rest.

“The whole essence is to package a people that would be well equipped to take over the development of the State.

“There will be no discrimination as children of all classes would be admitted into the schools provided such a child meets the minimum criteria prescribed for admission.

“A Board will be set up to manage the Schools.”

The Schools selected, according to Ezeoke, are Government Secondary school, Afikpo for Ebonyi South; Ezza High School, Central; and Abakaliki High School (PRESCO) for the North.

Speaking on infrastructure, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport disclosed that the Governor has created a new Ministry designated as Ministry of Concessional Infrastructural Development, which would be charged with the development of exotic infrastructural facilities such as flyovers, road dualizations among others.

He also revealed that the Council has approved that a letter be sent to the State House of Assembly seeking approval of the House for a $70 million loan from the African Development Bank towards the construction of the about 198km old Abakaliki ring road.

By Chidinma Imoeze

Abakaliki Magistrate court 4 has arraigned the couple identified as Blessing Nkeiruka Okpara and Chukwuma Ogbonna Sunday, who attempted to steal little Promise Njoku, by trying to trick her birth mother with a better life in Port Harcourt.

 The case which is between the commissioner of police and the couple with charge No: MAB/511/C/2019, was a  case of conspiracy and attempting to steal a fifteen month old baby an offence punishable under section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33,Vol.1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.

According to the charge against them, the couple attempted stealing 15 month old baby from her mother identified as Chioma Njoku, without the consent of her guardian or relations.

Recall, this newspaper in its previous edition, published the story of a couple who was arrested by the youths of Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State for alleging attempting to steal a child in Ndiagu Ezenmayi village.

According to testimony of the 15months old mother, the couple allegedly parade themselves as trying to help the young single mother to get a better life outside the State.

It was scooped that their major target was the little child, but luck ran on them when they were apprehended by the youths of the community.

According to our previous report, Chioma, Promises’ mother, narrated that the woman first approached her where she went to fetch water at Nwigbo in Agbebor Isu, and told her to come to her place after fetching water that she wanted to discuss something with her.

Chioma who is from Agbabor Isu, said she went to meet the lady after fetching water, “And on getting there, she told me she is a nurse and wanted to help me by taking me to Port Harcourt where I would learn how to sell drugs.

“I told her I don’t want to learn any trade that I want to go to school. She said that is good, she will train me in nursing school for three years if I accept to give my baby to motherless babies home and they will give me money which I would use to take care of myself”.

“I told her I wouldn’t do such thing. She asked whether I’m pregnant and I said no, she checked me and said even if I’m pregnant she would give me drugs that will flush it out.

“After that day, I went back home, the next day her husband came and said his wife was calling me and I went, the woman still asked me again if I have changed my mind, but I told her no.

“This was happening last week, so yesterday (Monday), her husband came on bike to our compound and told me to go and prepare so that we will leave for Port Harcourt, and I told him I do not want to go, then the man called the wife on phone and gave me the phone and I still told her I’m not going with them.

“The bike man now went back and brought the lady to our house. She told me to get prepared while she dresses up my baby. My sisters were telling me not to go with her but I later took my bath and she told me not to come along with my baby’s cloths that she will buy it on our way.

“So we left, on getting to Eke market, one of my sisters ran to us and told me that my uncle was calling me, I told her to tell my uncle that I’m not coming, but shortly after, I told the aunty that I want to go and answer my uncle but she said I shouldn’t go anywhere, but I insisted.

“She told her husband to follow me, but on the way, he said he would no longer go with me, one of my brothers now came out and asked the man what he wants, he said he should know him because he is from the village and wouldn’t do anything bad. That was how I went home”, she narrated.

Speaking with Chioma’s uncle, Mr. Sunday Ozoemena, he told our correspondent that on Tuesday morning, someone came to his place and narrated what happened between his sister and the syndicate. “I now asked them where they are living, they said Ndiagu Ezenmayi. I went to the place and on getting there, I saw the woman. I told her I was looking for someone named Chukwu that is the husband; she said he wasn’t at home. I asked her why they came to pick my sister without our consent, she couldn’t say anything. I asked her three more questions, she didn’t say anything meaningful. So I called the youths on phone to come and assist us, that was how they were brought to the council”, he added.

On his part, the woman simply identified as Mrs. Chukwu, denied ever attempting to steal Chioma’s baby.

She said she is from Imo state while her husband is from Akwa Ibom. Asked what they were doing in Ebonyi state, she couldn’t explain.

By Chidinma Imoeze

A 23 year old boy identified as Ifeanyi Amah, from Ndiobasi Ishiagu in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State, was brought before the magistrate court 4, for having sexual relations with of a female goat.

According to information gathered by The Voice, the incident happened on February 26, 2019 where Ifeanyi was caught red handed having sex with the female goat belonging to one Chief Fidelis Uka, in his goat pen.

The Voice gathered that immediately Ifeanyi was caught, he confessed he never knew what came over him, that it was charm that was used on him.

According to him, it all started when on January 2019 one of their neighbour’s almost killed his wife as he was beating her mercilessly and he (Ifeanyi) went for the woman’s rescue.

He said that while trying to separate the man from his wife and he refused, he had to engage him fisticuffs in other to save the woman.

After the incident Ifeanyi revealed that the man vowed to disgrace him in the community, and exactly 24hrs later, he was in his room when he noticed smoke coming in from nowhere, it was centered towards his direction and all efforts to dodge inhaling the smoke was fruitless and thereafter, he didn’t regain himself again until one month after when he was caught sleeping with a female goat.

Meanwhile, the case has been scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Magistrate court 4.

by Angela Nwaeze and Chidinma Imoeze

Over the years, journalists have been brutally harassed, intimidated and killed in the discharge of their duties.

This harassment comes from government officials, security officers or angry mob just as was the case of the Channels Television Reporter who was recently shot to death by protesting Islamic group.

Recently, journalists in Ebonyi State including a pregnant female journalist were brutally assaulted by thugs loyal to a member of Ebonyi state house of assembly representing Afikpo South West constituency, Nkemka Onuma.

  The journalists identified as Samson Nwafor, Ogochukwu Anioke and Egbo Grace, were manhandled by hoodlums sent by an honourable lawmaker to attack them at the assembly premises after the screening of a commissioner nominee.

Information has it that the lawmaker rudely interrupted an interview session between a commissioner nominee and the journalists, and when he was gently corrected for his actions he attacked the journalists, and ordered his thugs to beat up journalists including a heavily pregnant journalist who was also on duty.

This singular act exhibited by an honourable member of the State house of assembly shows that we still lives in a primitivity and ignorance of the importance of the forth estate of the realm.

He thinks he still lives in society where the press are still being muzzled and intimidated on their rights.

Recall, that similar incident happened in 2017 where a journalist and the publisher of Conscience Newspaper Charles Otu, was brutally attacked by unknown gunmen in the State.

Although the State assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has condemned the attack through his chief press secretary, Leo Ekene Oketa, but this newspaper believes that more needs to be done to address the safety of journalists not only in the state Assembly, but in the state as a whole. 

The lawmaker who perpetrated that act ought to be reprimanded, as that singular act was not in agreement with his mandate, which as a lawmaker he ought to protect the people and not assault them.

His people have the constitutional right to recall him if he fails on his constitutional mandate. While the Nigerian Union of Journalists both at the state and national have reacted on the attack on some of their own, this newspaper feels that the union has to do more in ensuring justice for its members, by withdrawing journalists covering the activities of the house for a period of two months, and anyone caught reporting the activities of the house before the deadline, should be severely sanctioned.

Also, the lawmaker needs to apologise to the body, and her members for the attack and insults melted on them for no just cause.

It is high time the State value journalists by knowing that they play a major role in nation development, as without the press the citizens’ voice and that of the politicians would not be heard, hence we give voice to the voiceless and as such should not be treated as enemies.

Politicians should know that Journalists are not only important when they are vying for any political position but should be respected after they have won the elections because they can make or mar a nation.

Politicians should stop seeing journalists as enemies rather as friends who can help them actualize their mandate.

• As mixed reaction trails action

by Angela Nwaeze and Chidinma Imoeze

The local government Chairman of Ebonyi local government area, Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, in whose jurisdiction the Abakpa market was situated, has issued a 30days quit notice to traders in Abakpa main market, Abakaliki.

The notice reads, “I, Hon. Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga, chairman Ebonyi local government area, Ugbodo your sub-lesser /landlord hereby give you notice to quit and deliver possession of shop 27 Cameroon line, Abakpa Main market, Abakaliki and its appurtenances lying and situate thereby which you hold on lease . This notice shall expire on 31st day of August, 2019.

However, some traders have lamented over the new development, mostly those who don’t have money to pay for shops at the Margret Umahi’s International market.

According to a 75 -years -old trader, Nweke Titus, he cried out that he procured his shop before the civil war and came to his shop after the war, and that it was leased to him by the then chairman of Ebonyi local government area, Hon. Sunday Adol Awam for thirty years, which is still counting.

His words: “I am from Inyimagu in Izzi local government area. This market is located in our place. It is the people of Inyimagu and Agbaja that own Abakaliki. When I acquired this shop was during the war until 1967 when the war ended, I came back to the shop. We were paying rent as at then. What we were paying per shade was not up to N50. I came here 1967 and the war ended 1970.

“Look at my hair, they are all gray. I am 75 years old today. I got married and gave birth to my children here. I am old and they said we should come and pay N3.2 million naira. It was during the regime of Adol Awam that we were given lease to build these shades, and the lease is still remaining 30 years.

“We were here today and they came with police and forced us to collect the quit notice. They never asked us to sign the quit notice. What we read from the quit notice is that after 31st of August, they do not want to see us here again. She should give us another shade and allow us to be paying on installment of N500, 000.

Other traders who lamented were Ozoemena Okoafor and Chukwuemeka Okoye who sell crayfish and provisions stores, stating, “I am from Nsuka in Enugu. I deal on crayfish in Abakpa market. We do not know why they are asking us to leave the market. We have paid the annual dues and for business premises. The lease they gave to us has not expired, but they are asking us to quit the market. The lease is supposed to expire in the next thirty years.

“They have not shown us any alternative place to go. We were only asked to quit. We need intervention from any quarters, especially those of us who are not from this state.

“I deal on articles. But if we are leaving here, are we going to carry our wares on our heads and be roaming about? I do not know what their intention is. We have paid all market levies for the year, but I do not know why they have asked us to leave. There is no place they have shown us, but they simply asked us to leave”, they said.

Meanwhile, during an interview with the market Chairman, Comrade Christopher Eze, he stated that the State government’s directive to relocate from the market to the new international market located along the Ogoja Express way was a welcome development.

He assured traders that the shops are already eighty percent completed, stressing that before the stipulated period of vacation that the new market must have been ready for the comfort of all traders.

He noted that they had earlier been informed of their relocation, adding that the decision would be for the interest of the entire traders, as it would attract investors to the State.

He pointed out that the Abakpa main market was under lease though the period has not expired but the government has the power to withdraw it when it is for the interest of the traders.

Comrade Eze while decrying that the market was already congested stated that they were giving three conditions prior to their relocation and according to him, “it is true, that things are hard, no good soup is made without money. Before you do any thing that needs money, you have to sacrifice yourself, sacrifice your money before you achieve that goal. Whoever said that he is going to react negatively is doing that on his own capacity. We are just tenants here, government allocate land you build, and government is collecting money from you every year, are you not a tenant to the government? They are now saying that they want to collect the lease they gave to you. Despite that the lease has not expired but his Excellency promised that he would compensate those that have shops, he sent former commissioner for Lands and Survey, Prof. John U. Eke, and his team, and they went round the market and measured the sizes of our shops. They would pay you compensation based on the number of shops you have and the sizes. We have no space and that has resulted to traders occupying the asphalted road.

Continuing, “There are so many options available now with the ministry of commerce, one, if you can be able to raise 320,000 I.e. 10 percent of the 3.2 million naira and bank will pay the balance for you and secure the shop and give to you. You will now continue paying to them gradually until you finish, when you finish with them they give you your C of O.

“Secondly, for those that feel it is too costly, government would give you land and you pay money for the C of O, interest form, acceptance form and other fees totalling 121,800 naira whereas you will wait for others to pay, and until the number of shops at that particular line is completed, then the land will be allocated to them to build to the standard of the State government while they bear the cost.

“For those that don’t have money they can wait, after commissioning the market you be a tenant and one can out rightly buy the shop for 3.2 million,  upstairs is 3 million, ware house upstairs 2million, ware house down stairs 2.5 million.”

Adding that following the relocation, Abakpa market would be renovated to a befitting standard as it would serve as food stuff market. He enjoined traders to take advantage of the new market as they would not regret their moving over to the new market.

While another trader, Mr. Eze Ogbonnaya Okorafor, aka Marshal, a phone accessories dealer at No 23 Gunning road, appreciated the State government for the initiative, stating that it would boost the economy of the State, and attract foreign investors to the area.

Another trader, Mr. Chibuike Elem, applauded Umahi’s led government for taking the bold step in relocating the traders to the long awaited international market.

He called on others to take drastic action in ensuring that they secure a shop in the market.

When our correspondent visited the new market, it was discovered that the market is 80 percent completion, as workers were seen on ground fixing doors and tiling the shops. While about 12 shops were under roofing stage.

• Invites C’ttee on 2019 Agric loan disbursement to LG”
• Speaks on alleged diversion of N40m, says its handwork of detractors

by Angela Nwaeze

The Chairman of Afikpo North local government council, Hon. Ogbonnaya Oko-Enyim, has finally made a u-turn on his refusal to receive the 2019 Agric loan disbursement committee to his local government

Enyim has appealed to the committee to visit his local government which was done last Saturday.

During the visit, he cleared the air on alleged diversion of N40million from the loan to individual pocket, stating that he had disbursed the loan to farmers in the area and that they are all happy.

He said over 2000 farmers got the agric loan for rice farming in Afikpo North and that the rumour that he diverted part of the fund was the handwork of his detractors who have been looking for how to pull him down.

He told the committee that the beneficiaries were rice farmers drawn from the 11 wards that make up the local government.

  Oko-Enyim said the council disbursed twenty five thousand naira to the farmers to assist them during this planting season.

He said that 200 rice farmers were profiled in each ward by the councilors who know the real farmers, urging the people to disregard any insinuation contrary this.

He added that the council will do everything possible to recover the loan while warning that it is not a political patronage.

He asked CBN to increase the loan to accommodate more farmers especially those that are not rice farmers.

It would be recall that each ward in the state is expected to get N5million CBN loan for rice farming.