• 

Prince Solomon

Ebonyi state government has set up a committee of inquiry into the unauthorized release of some suspected warlords in the Ezza Effium and Effium crisis, numbered about 55 by the police in the state.

Recall that about 66 persons were said to be Arrested by joint security agencies in connection to the Ezza Effium and Effium communal crisis, but 55 of which went missing on account of unauthorized release by the state police command, which has led to alot of public concern.

The secretary to the state government, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting, Thursday at the old government house in Abakaliki, noted that the state government had frowned at the actions of the police and has set up a committee to investigate and report to the government concerning the missing suspects, towards restoring confidence in the system as well as returning normalcy in the area.

“The council frown at the unauthorized release of some people that were Arrested last two weeks, in connection to Effium crisis, and directed that a committee to be headed by internal security should investigate such unauthorized release ,

“because we heard that there are that were some people that were Arrested and subsequently some of them were unauthorisely released, council was disturbed about the release, and set up a committee to be headed by commissioner for internal security, to investigate and report back to council, in our next security meeting,

” Last week alot of press people confronted us, on the issue of those that were Arrested and suddenly disappeared, and we were not ready to dive into a matter that is already before the security agencies as a government, because we know the security agencies will carry out the investigation on whatever happened and report back to government,

“but today government requested , because there are similar questions to know the level of investigation concerning the issue, and the report we are getting is not inline with our expectations that was why the government frowned at it,  and since we are not getting the required results concerning that action by the security agencies,

“the council set up the committee to look into it and report to us, it’s still a matter under investigation, the government is highly interested in the matter, because if we do not ask and know, then it may sabotage the peace process”, he added.

He warned against spreading of unverified informations on social media and said that the Exco has also directed for the Arrest and prosecution of cultprits.

• 

……..Says New Site Has Not Been Completed

Traders of Ebonyi state building materials have continue  to count losses following demolition of the Market in Abakaliki by the state government.

The traders who were seen lamenting, said the government should have given them more time since the new site has not been completed,

Adding that the forcefull eviction of traders unexpectedly is exposing them to danger because government did not put any form of security in the new  site, calling on the government for extension of time.

While on a visit to the market, traders were seen running Helter skelter, trying to pack their goods while government officials were busy demolishing some of the shops, security agencies were also stationed in strategic locations of the market.

Speaking with some of the affected traders, Mr.Obasi Chukwudi,  said the government had given them until 31st of March 2021, but they never knew it would be so urgent like this because the new site has not been completed.

“Government  gave us order to pack out of this place to the new site but we didn’t know it was urgent because we thought they will give us time to prepare ourselves,

“They gave us first match and we thought they will give us extension of one week,

“Secondly, the new site has no wall nor security, even the building has not been completed. It will not only affect us alone but our families are affected, government should give us one week”, he said.

Also speaking, Mr.Okwudiri Uche, while narrating his ordeals, said the government took them unaware  because they never knew of the ongoing demolition , he also called for an extension of time,

“we came to market this morning only to see that security agencies have blocked the entrance of the market, and stopped our movement and business transactions. We never knew government will start today being 1st March,

“My shop has been demolished,  government should give us more time to finish the new site” he added.

Also,  Mrs Eze Ugwu said “Our condition is so terrible, we never expected this kind of thing because we have been asking government since to give us time. Nothing has been done in the new site, We all see how covid-19 affected our businesses.

“Somebody that has 7children and you pursue her, what did you expect her to do, How do you expect the condition of somebody who ran from Northern region to Ebonyi to do, Now they said nobody should stay on the street nor on the road to sale that means they want us to die”, she added

Others who disclosed on anornimity, alleged that the state government officials who were in charge of the exercise were extorting the sum of 20,000 naira from each of the traders for staying beyond government stipulated time.

Reacting on the development, the secretary to the state government, Dr.Kenneth Ugbala said he is not aware of of the extortion.

“I am not aware of the extortion but I will call them on phone now”, he said.

• 

Prince Solomon

The governor of Ebonyi state, Engr David Umahi, has commended the youths of the state, following their peaceful conduct at the just concluded #Endsars youth Summit, and also vowed to make more millionaires out of the youths in the state, while encouraging them to make a positive change towards self determination as well as having substantial contribution towards making the world a better place.

Umahi, also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice Yemi Osibanjo, for intiating the national #Endasrs youth Summit to dialogue with the youths across the country, he noted also that the youths of the state have done well in thier representation and performance at the summit, while urging them to join hands with the state government to move Ebonyi forward.

The governor, urged the youths to focus on self determination in order to have something tangible to offer to the world which it cannot resist, he encouraged them to immitate from other people’s experience and become more productive in business and governance, adding that the essence of the National #Endsars program is to find out what the youths are feeling about that the government needs to do to further better the lives of their people.

The governor, said apart from the 3billion Naira which has been approved for the #Endsars empowerment scheme to empower the youths and women in the state, he also intends to immidiately train more youths and engage them with cash sum of money worth millions, to encourage them in various endeavors such as creativity and business as well as in sports, debates and other forms of competition to be televised on the state owned media platforms. He called on the youths to support the state government and shun all forms of violence towards making Ebonyi state great, adding that thier biggest competition is with self.

• 

Guidepost

The Nigeria center for disease control (NCDC), has said Tuesday in Abakaliki, that it is safe for Nigerians to get vaccinated with (Oxford Astra Zeneca ) vaccines as the available means of prevention against covid-19 , expressing confidence and said they are hopeful the Vaccines would be a game changer in the fight against covid-19 in the country.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, while responding to Journalists questions, ascertaining his stands, considering the suspension of the use of Astra Zeneca vaccines by some European countries, after he commissioned  a molecular laboratory, Built by the NCDC in Alex Ekweme University teaching hospital, (AE-FUTHA) Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital, said
the aims of vaccines globally had been to serve the purpose of saving lives of people, which it has proven to be over the years.

“No medical intervention in the world has saved more lives than vaccines, we are very confident right now of the vaccine that we have introduced, I have taken this vaccine myself, every member of the NCDC staff at the front line has taken the vaccine, we are confident that the vaccine will be a game changer to respond to this outbreak in Nigeria” he said

MOLECULAR LABORATORY

According to Ihekweazu, the molecular laboratory is a federal government initiative towards prevention of future outbreak of disease in the country, as well as to advance the fight against covid-19 and other Dangerous disease such as Lassa fever.

“This is part of the federal government program as a result of the covid-19, to support the country so that we can never find ourselves in this kind of situation again,

“Our role is not only to respond to the current outbreak but to makesure that we’re stronger together as a country to respond future outbreak, that’s what led to the program that we are carrying out across the country to strengthen our health facilities and infrastructure,

“This facility is well equipped to manage the many common infectious disease threats in Nigeria, such covid-19 and Lassa fever,we tried to expand this not only for diagnostic purposes but for research, capacity building and being an attraction for more projects to come to Abakaliki, we are very excited about the future of diagnosis and research towards providing care for our nation” he said.

REACTION

The Ebonyi State commissioner for health, Dr Daniel  Umezurike, noted that the partnership between the state and federal government is yielding fruits towards improving the health sector of the state and thanked governor of David Umahi for being a health friendly governor, he expressed optimism that the ongoing teaching hospital in uburu, as initiated by David Umahi , would be of additional value to the health sector of the country when completed. He noted that the molecular laboratory is a tool to personalised medicine which is a plus to the system. Also speaking,

The chief medical director, Alex Ekweme University teaching hospital, Dr Emma Onwe Ogah, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for building the research center, which is to serve the entire southeast in Abakaliki, he noted that the equipments loaded in the laboratory have the capacity to respond to health challenges beyond diagnosis, which would enhance medical practice in the state and the country.

A molecular test may be done with other procedures such as biopsies to help diagnose some types of cancer. It may also be used to help plan treatment, find out how well treatment is working, or make a prognosis”, Dr Onwe said.

• 

Guidepost

The caretaker committee chairman of the All progressive congress party APC in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro Emegha, has described the agitation for Igbo Presidency as justifiable, and said it is a welcome development as long as the agitation is for the interest of the people, banking on the fact that the southeast region is also part of the country and as such should not be denied the right to participate in the governing affairs of the nation, which includes the right to seek to occupy the Presidency in 2023.

“it is justifiable, we are also part of the country called Nigeria, and as such, if an Igbo man is agitating for the number one citizen of the country, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, as long as the agitation is coming in clear and a good direction,

“It’s a welcome Development, Bayelsa state for instance, is a state that has the least local government in the country, just nine local government, and there is no Igbo state with nine LGAs, so if Bayelsa can taste the Presidency, there is absolutely nothing wrong if any Igbo state is agitating for the Presidency” he said.

Emegha, also said he believes in Igbo Unity and said he is hopeful that when the time comes for an Igbo Presidency, the region will support whoever is chosen to represent them irrespective of political party differences.

“The igbos are Reginald, the important thing is to secure a party ticket, there is no reasonable Igbo man that will see his brother is having an APC ticket or any other party at all that will not support him,

“This is beyond a party affair, the southeast would also want it and it is fair that we have a shot of that, I believe very strongly that we will make an impact if we are given the opportunity, I strongly believe that the igbos are United, despite the party differences” he added.

The chairman, also noted that in as much as the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi is perceived to be nursing the ambition for the Presidency, there is nothing Wrong if an Ebonyian is given the mantle of leadership To rule the country after President Buhari’s tenure, and believes in the capacity of the governor to deliver good governance to the country if given the opportunity to do so, describing him as a man who has the heart for the people as well as the passion for governance.

“I think it’s not a wrong idea, nursing such ambition, he is a Nigerian and he has the right to nurse such ambition, even though he has not said it with his mouth that he is contesting for president, and if i am called to air my opinion, I will call on Nigerians to give him support, it’s not about your tribe, and besides that Ebonyi state is part of the country, there is no way you will talk about the history of Nigeria without mentioning an Ebonyi man”, he added.

• 

Guidepost

Many persons were allegedly killed on Monday night when gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked three communities in Íshíelu local government area of Ebonyi state.
The affected communities are Egedege, Obegu and Amazu communities.
The number of casualties could not be ascertained at the time of this report.
A source from the area said herdsmen invaded the three communities and killed many persons.

Many others sustained various degrees of injuries while vehicles and motorcycles were burnt.
The attackers, it was further learnt, also looted some properties from the area.
A priest of the Methodist church, whose name could not be ascertained, was among those killed.
Chairman of the local government, Sunday Eze confirmed the incident.
The spokesman of the Police Command, Liveth Odah also confirmed the attack.

• 

By Prince Solomon

Following the lingering crisis that has consumed lives and properties worth millions of naira in the area for over two months, the stakeholders Of Ezza/Effium community in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State have  resolved to work with the peace pact earlier signed on 11th of March, in order to paveway for peace in the area, also apologized to the state government and the people for the uneccessary killings and destructions that engulfed the area as results of the crisis.

The Ebonyi State governor, Engr David Umahi, represented by the deputy kelechi Igwe, presiding over the sitting with stakeholders at the old government house executive council chambers on Monday, called on them.

Barr Clement Odah, who is the council chairman of Ohaukwu local government area and from Effium extraction, and Chinedu Awoh, who is the member representing Ohaukwu North state constituency from the Ezza extraction, to call thier People living within and outside the state for a complete Ceasefire and urged them to agree to live in peace as well as to desist from making comments that are capable of causing further crisis in the area.

He thanked the state governor, David Umahi, as well as religious leaders and other government officials and security agencies for thier intervention Towards ending the crisis.

RESOLUTIONS

The two key Stakeholders, Barr. Clement Odah and Hon. Chinedu Awoh, pledged on behalf of thier People and agreed to work with the peace pact earlier signed by both parties on 11th of March 2021.

CLEMENT ODAH

“First of all, we want to appreciate the effort of government and the security agents in restoring peace in effium Community,  as a people, we are very sorry, we apologise to his Excellency the governor and to the government of Ebonyi State, for the unnecessary, and avoidable crisis in our community, as leaders we have the responsibility to  maintain peace and order in our areas, what happened is very unfortunate and is highly regrettable, we want to assure the governor and the people of the state, that we will do everything possible to cement the peace that has returned to that community, His Excellency has been generous to our people and we will reciprocate”. he said.

CHINEDU AWOH

“We want to appreciate His Excellency the governor for his quick intervention in the crisis rocking our community, we want to thank you for all you have been doing to makesure that peace returns to the area, on behalf of my family, I apologise to the state and to the government , for what has happened in my community, the avoidable crisis that has been going on, it is a thing of shame,  that the crisis came when I am serving as a member representing my People, I want to assure you and guarantee you that no Ezza man from today onwards will raise his hands or arm against effium man, peace must comeback to effium, we must restore peace” he added.

• 

By Prince Solomon

Ebonyi State governor, Engr David Umahi, has urged Nigerian youths to cultivate patriotism and channel thier energy towards nation building as well as personal development , to aid tackle the problems of insecurity in the country.

Umahi, made the call during the 65th emergency Senate meeting ceremony of the National association of Nigerian students (NANS), held at the Christian ecumenical centre in Abakaliki the state capital, urging the youths to focus on personal development in order to become responsible leaders of the country at the present and in future.

“I believe in developing the youths and I insist that you become a gift to the world, a gift to the world that it cannot resist, put yourselves together to produce the future leaders of the country,

“Moreso, I believe in teaching the Youths how to catch fish, instead of giving them fish”  he said

Decrying the rate of violence and criminality in the country, which he said is mostly caused by youthful exurburance, the governor,  urged the youths to denounce all forms of cult related activities, and aspire to become productive to the society.

He called  youths across the nation to prefused to be used as tools of violence by desperate politicians and advised them to learn through the right principles with hardwork.

He thanked president Muhammadu vu, for financial interventions  towards the development of states in the country.

• 

Prince Solomon

Ebonyi state government has said it has deployed more security agencies, and established two mobile police units, with additional 600 military personnels, towards ending the cummunal war in Effium community, Ohaukwu local government area of the state.

The  commissioner for information and state orientation, Uchenna Orji, who said while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting, held at the old government house in Abakaliki, noted that as part of effort to end the war, the government also decided to enforce a dusk to dawn curfew in the area until normalcy returns.

“Exco noted the report on Effium/Ezza Effium and commended the efforts of Government in:

“Establishing additional 2 Mobile Police units in the communities and
Providing additional 600 Soldiers to the affected community.” He said.

“Exco resolved to place dusk to dawn curfew in Effium/Ezza Effium community with effect from 31st March 2021 till normalcy returns to the place”.

Orji, also said the executive council members had frowned at the actions and inactions of all State government officials in the area, including the council chairman, Clement Odah and the member representing Ohaukwu north state constituency, chinedu Awoh, and consequently urged the members of Ebonyi state house of Assembly (EBHA) to consider their immidiate suspension from office.

“Exco frowned at the actions and inactions of the elected and appointed public office holders which were responsible for the crisis in the area.

“Exco recommended to Ebonyi State House of Assembly that all elected/appointed officials from Effium and Ezza Effium including the Councilors, the Council Chairman and the EBHA Member be suspended from office”.

Similarly, the state government also condemned the recent attack on three communities in ishielu local government area of the state by suspected Herdsmen, leaving behind over 27 deaths as well as many missing one’s and properties destroyed.

The state government also directed the 13 local government chairmen in the state to set up a vigilantee groups as well as deploy 100 neighborhood watch security men in all the 13 LGA’s to be watching out against further attacks from the Marauders.

• 

guidepost

The secretary to the state government and coordinating Commissioner, Keneath Ugbala, while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the state executive Council meeting, yesterday at the old government house in Abakaliki, said it becomes necessary for the police and other security agencies in the state to adopt Proactive Security measures to forestall possible attacks on It’s Personnel as well as their stations.

Ugbala, noted the state government would recommend disciplinary actions against police officers who are not able to resist  attacks on It’s Personnel or stations.

“the council resolved that, the police in Ebonyi state and other security agencies should do thier best to protect their Police stations, that any police station that allows the division or area command to be attacked,

“government would have no option than to allow such division or area command to be closed down, the reason is that our security agencies have the primary responsibility of protecting not only their own station and their personnels but our citizens,

“but where they cannot even protect themselves, I think it’s a big problem, because they are trained for that, and government agreed that if the agencies allow thier facilities to be attacked, then Ebonyi government will request for the close down of such division, while the officers working in such places would face disciplinary actions,” he said.

The SSG, also added that the state government has called on the security agencies in the state to clear thier premises off bushes, to protect themselves and said  the council has also directed the state commissioner for internal security to go along with the commissioner of police in the state, to inspect police stations across the state to ensure their wellbeing.

He advised the public to remain  law abiding and resist any attempt of extortion by the police, he stressed because Extortion is the reason behind the attacks being carried out on the police stations, noting the government would continously  work with the existing vigilantee in the state and to recruit more to ensure safety of the people.

Also speaking, the commissioner for internal security border peace and conflict resolutions, Stanley Okoro Emegha, said the government is working towards creating conducive environment for the security agencies in the state.

“the governor has directed that I should move around the whole police stations in the state, to know the areas where thier building needs to be touched,

“we also deem it necessary that all the police station should have CCTV cameras that can be sending the movement of the people around the area to three different viewing points, to view and be taking Proactive measure”

He said the government has procured vehicles for the police and the vigilantee in the state to encourage them. Adding also that the state government is relying on informations to unravel the faces behind the attacks on ishielu communities by suspected herdsmen.