By Prince-solomon Okorie—Guidepost News

Members of Ebonyi state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists today were elated as one of the first groups to benefit from the state government COVID-19 Palliatives. The chairman of Union Comr. Tony Nwizi while receiving the package lauded the Governor and his team for giving priority to the state media practitioners who are also in the forefront of sensitization and dissemination of information on the world most dreaded virus known as COVID-19.

Delivering the Palliatives to Journalists at Dr. Sam Egwu Press Centre, Abakaliki, Chairman of the State COVID-19 Palliatives sub committee and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru noted that the gesture was in recognition of the important roles of Journalists in the state as fourth estate of the realm. And as partners in the fight against corona virus in Ebonyi state.

The speaker who conveyed the State Governor’s message to the Journalists, called on them to always be objective, balanced and factual in their reportage as partners in the development of Ebonyi state. He however stressed that the committee has concluded arrangements to accommodate all political parties, stakeholders, different groups and all Ebonyians in the Palliatives.

His words:

“Our Governor His Excellency Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi has approved and directed me to deliver these 100 bags of 25kg rice and the sum of five million naira for condiments to you the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ebonyi state as Palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19 in the state.”

Chief Nwifuru also debunked the allegations that Governor Umahi picture was printed on the Palliatives as can be clearly seen on the rice.

Responding on behalf of other Journalists, the State Chairman, Comrade Tony Nwizi commended the State government, especially the Palliatives sub committee for acknowledging the important roles of Journalists in the state, especially in the fight against the current corona virus pandemic. He called for greater synergy and sense of belonging as partners in progress.

“When Government; both the executive, legislature and Judiciary are doing their work very well, Journalists as the fourth estate will have no reason to fight or write against them. All we are asking is for proper inclusion and sense of belonging as partners with government”. He stated.

He further urge journalists to be ojective in and avoid seeking for cheap popularity by spreading falsehood as news, it is unethical, he advised journalists not to criticise government that is doing well, “but if you must criticise be objective in your criticism.

Present at the event were Chairmen and secretaries of the fifteen Chapels of NUJ in Ebonyi state, former leaders and veteran Journalists who all commended the state government for the timely gesture.

By Prince-solomon Okorie—Guidepost News

The Ebonyi State Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Mr. Umar Isa Adoro told our newsmen that since the out break of world pandemic known as Covid-19 which started in China, the Governor proactively call on the service chiefs to join his anti covid-19 monitoring team to join the war against coronavirus, but it is regrettable and rather unfortunate that Ebony has recorded about 7 cases of people that came with the virus from other states but that does not undermine the effort of the governor and the service chiefs who sacrificed their sleep at nights since the outbreak of the virus in the countary. If other states and even Federal Government has taken Umahi’s proactive approach Covid-19 would not have entered Nigeria in the first place.

Governor Umahi has brought development ten times ahead of other governors, therefore development is associated with social evils and drug trafficers are inclusive.

The rate of drug dealers in Ebonyi syste is alarming, when you look at the number of arrests and seizures; just last year alone, over a ton of assorted drugs were seized and more than 200 suspeects were arrested and about 40 trafficers convicted, that was quite huge for a small state like Ebonyi, even Lagos do not have such record.

The commander said their bigest challenge in their fight against drug traffic is lack of operational vehicles, noting that the Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ebonyi has only one operational vehicle that covers 13 local government areas. And they have 3 Area Commands apart from their heaquarter: one at Abakaliki, another one at Onueke and Afikpo, these three Area Commands do not have any operational vehicles.

The State Commandant Mr. Isa Umar, therefore plead with Ebonyi State Government to join them in the against drug trafficing by providing them with operational vehicles noting that drug traffic and abuse is the mother of all crime. When you fight against drug abuse and trafficing, you reduce crime, he affirmed.

Covid-19.. Gov Umahi is ready to dole out Palliatives – Rt. Hon Ogbonnaya Nwifuru

By Prince-solomon Okorie…Guidepost News

The Speaker Ebonyi state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru meets with the chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali who is also the SSA to the Governor Religious and Welfare Matters, the state chairmen of all political parties, the executives of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) including state government’s representatives. The meeting was aimed at harmonising modalities of Covid-19 palliatives meant for Ebonyians.

The Speaker who is also the chairman of Ebonyi State Fundraising Committee said, the palliatives will be rolled out in line with the governor’s directives while briefing newsmen after the meeting at Ebonyi State House of Assembly Complex, Nkaliki.

He further stated that the meeting was held to discuss the sharing modalities of the palliatives in oder that it will not be hijacked or politicized. Hear him, “this palliatives is not party affair. The Governor said that the sharing will get to every stakeholder in 171 political wards across the state, this further means that the sharing will be all encompassing since everybody who sits at home due to lockdown is a victim. We involved all the political parties so that they can monitor and participate in the palliatives sharing to enable whatever government is providing to reach the targeted indigent members of society”.

The Speak commended Governor Umahi for his proactiveness in ensuring that the pandemic is rid off from the state especially now that Ebonyi has recorded two index cases. And for over 600,000 nose masks and sanitizer distributed to the needy.

The State of House Assembly boss who represented the Governor said that it is expedient to note that the Governor in his wisdom and passion for the indigent said that salary earners are not part of the palliatives because even as they sit at home, they are still receiving their salary”.

In an interactio with journalists, the PDP chairman, Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi said, the meeting was held at the instance of Governor Umahi who was represented by the Hon. Speaker, he also disclosed that all the parties who attend the meeting have agreed on the sharing modalities.

He further said, “the IPAC state chairman was there and various party leaders, we were assured that the palliatives will not be politicized or hijacked, it is certain, the meeting cuts across parties, the state IPAC chairman was in attendance and all other registered political parties in Ebonyi state were there. The parties were equitably represented by their chairmen, including the CAN chairman who is also the SSA to the Governor on Welfare and Religious Matters, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali, things does not go wrong when he is around that is why the Governor calls him the Conscience of the EXCO. The main thing is to ensure that nobody hijacks the process said the PDP boss.

Churches should live up to expectations

By Prince-solomon Okorie…Guidepost News

During an interview Dr. Wilberforce Oti, a senior lecturer and Head of Chemistry Department Ebonyi State University and the General Overseer House of Kings Priests told our newsmen that his motive in supporting the state government palliative measures with 800 sanitizers worth one million naira and 300 pices of washable nose mask is to encourage local content initiative of the Governor and to change the Church narrative, some church leaders always preach “give and you shall receive, and that givers never lack” some chose to be on the receiving end, when they did not receive, they resort to criticism but when it comes to showing example they will shift their responsibility to members of their church there by exempting themselves from giving.

Dr. Oti said that this is time to demonstrate love to government that has given so much to Churches in terms of welfare and infrastructures, and give food and money as palliatives to members of various churches who has supported the church with their tithe and offerig but are going through hardship due to sit at home Covid-19 preventive measures.

The scholar said that as an industrial chemist, having sudied the World Health Organization’s standard for sanitizers, he decided to produce sanitizers by himself as well as the washable nose mask which he donated to Ebonyi State Government.

The Rich should support Gov. Umahi’s palliative approach

By Prince-solomon Okorie—Guidepost News

During an interview with our newsmen Prof. Mrs Adaeze Nwuzor said that her motive for supporting Ebonyi state government is the Governor’s passion for his people which he demonstrated in his committed fight against the deadly dreaded Coronavirus, she added “since the outbreak of the disease in the country the Governor has not slept, he moves from border to border just to enforce compliance, if he is not there the Deputy Governor will there. If other governors were as serious, committed and proactive in their fight against the pandemic it may not have entered Nigeria in the first place, simply put, Governor Umahi is a presidential material”.

“As a widow I have donated my widow’s might and “I call on well meaning and well-to-do Ebonyians to support the Governor with relieve materials so that when added to what state and Federal government will provide it can go round”.

Prof. Nwuzor who is also the chairman and founder of Indgent Care Foundation said that her foundation is also giving relieve materials including money and food to the indigent members of the society.

1. Ban on religious gathering is still in force. No Church service tomorrow. Pastors can use online platform for sermon and collection of offering
2. No more Keeping of Corpse in Mortuary. All dead people should be buried immediately by two or few persons
3. All political Activities should stop because we are in the time of war
4. All those interested in political office in 2023 should match their words and aspirations with action by supporting the fight against COVID 19. We need to be alive to do politics
5. There is no lassa Fever Outbreak in Ebonyi. With the power conferred on me as Governor, I hereby order the Arrest and persecution of Chijioke Agwu, the Sun Newspaper Correspondence for spreading false report on lassa fever in the State.
6. Coordinator, traditional ruler, all political office holders in Ikwo East should be arrested and arraigned for not providing the killers of 70year old woman in Amana Ezza South
7. Commissioner for LG should give a loan of #5M each to all LGA chairmen to use and secure their office or use it to remove themselves from office
8. Every Ward should have a central place for compilation of names for government palliative across political lines.
9. The Ban on Motorcycle remains in force except for taskforce and health workers who must have approval from head of the security committee
10. There will be daily press briefing within the week featuring the Governor, Deputy, Speaker, LGA Chairmen and DC Coordinators
11. There will henceforth be cameras and six different Checkpoints with different groups in all the boarder areas, let’s see how people can pass all the six check point without being caught
12. I will block phone number of people sending me message to give them money. I am the governor of everyone and can’t share money to everybody.

By Prince-solomon Okorie…Guidepost News

To tackle the problem of land degredation and erosion control in Nigeria, the federal government established the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to handle environmental issues affecting the nation.

The projects which were primarily focused on gully water ways, but later extended to flood and erosion management due to the challenges facing some states in the country. NEWMAP was initiated by the Federal Government and assisted by the world bank.

While inspecting projects executed by NEWMAP in Ebonyi state, the state project coordinator, Dr. Philip Uche Echiegu said that the initiative of the federal government to intervene in flood and erosion control came as result of the nature and magnitude of the damages witnessed in specific areas of concern which Ebonyi state is included.

” Before NEWMAP came in, there were quite alot of MDA’s that were responsible for erosion control, but due to the nature and magnitude of some of these erosions, that has defiled these MDA’s, the federal government approached the world bank for an sssistance”

His words:

“These projects have the objectives to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watershed in the country, which Ebonyi state is one of the twenty five participating states benefiting from the program”

“We have completed eight intervention sites in Ebonyi state, one gully site and seven flood affected sites, a two kilometers erosion works at the Iyiokwu-international market leading to Ebonyi rivers”

Dr. Philp said that Newmap also intervene in community development projects to assist the host communities where projects are executed, pointing to the six solar powered borehole provided to communicate through the Global Environment Facilities (GEF).

The state coordinator however expressed gratitude to Governor Umahi for being a partner in the projects, stating that governor Umahi had donated one hundred million naira as counterpart fund to support the projects, without the Governor’s intervention the project cannot come to Ebonyi in the first place, as an astute engineer, the governor had provided professional engineering advise to aid the process.

The project which started at the beginning of Iyiokwu river and run through Odinukwe to Onwe road to new Government House and continued to Ebonyi river, there is another ongoing project at Iyiudene in total, all the works in Ebonyi state are 75 percent completed.

It is also important to note that since all the water channels projects constructed by NEWMAP are all fenced due to safety precautionary measures prohibiting people from the affected communities from swiming and fetching of water from the river, NEWMAP provided the people with 6 Sola powered boreholes at different locations

Some of the leaders from the benefiting communities Deacon Samuel Emeka of Obama village in Abakaliki expressed joy to NEWMAP for bringing water to the people of the area, Agidi Emeka, the youth president of Mbam Echara community also expressed satisfaction with the water projects been done in his community while promising to protect and maintain the projects.

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) is an initiative of the federal government of Nigeria, assisted by the world bank.