SOUTH EAST ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION (SEECA) invites the general public to her 1st South East Stakeholders Electricity SUMMIT.
Theme:INADEQUATE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND THE FUTURE OF IGBO ECONOMY.
Under the distinguished Chairmanship of SIR EJIKE EZENWA, SAN
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 28 AUGUST, 2024.
VENUE: PROF. DORA AKUNYILI WOMEN DEV. CENTER AWKA along Enugu –Onitsha,Express way, Awka.
Time: 10am
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Ven. Prof. Chinedu Nebo
Vice Chancellor, University on the Niger, Former Minister of Power Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria
Nsukka and former VC, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
• Mr. Peter Obi, Former Labour Party Presidential Candidate.
• Prince Authur Eze, Ozigbondu
• Sir Emeka Offor, Chairman EEDC
• All the Senators from the SE Zone.
• Barr. Allen Onyema, CEO Airpeace
• Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CEO Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing
• Mr. Cosmos Maduka, CEO Coscharis Motors
• Chief Cletus Ibeto, CEO Ibeto Group
• Chief Samuel Maduka Onyishi, CEO Peace Mass Ltd
• Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Former PDP Governorship Candidate and a Chieftain of Labour Party.
• Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Secretary General Commonwealth
• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. DG, World Trade Org.
• Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Former Minister of Education
• Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Former Governor Imo State
• Chief Rochas Okorocha, Former Governor Imo state
• Dr. Sam Egwu, Former Governor Ebonyi State
• Sen. Pius Anyim Pius, Former Senate President
• Prof. Obiora Okonkwo
• Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, CEO
SENEACO Group Abuja
• Dr. Chris Ngige, Former Misiter of Labour
• Sen. Andy Ubah
• Sen. Uche Ekwunife, DG South East Governors
Forum
• Maazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chairman, Business Committee, Ohaneze Ndigbo
• Dr. Uche Oga, former Minisiter of state, Soild Minerals
ROYAL FATHERS OF THE DAY.
• HRM, Igwe Engr. S.I Okafor – Igwe Ogene of Okpuno Kingdom
• HRM, Igwe Dr. Micheal C. Idigo – Ezeudo, Igwe Aguleri Kingdom
OTHER SPECIAL INVITEES TO THE SUMMIT ARE:
1. Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)
2. Abia Power Ltd (Geometrics)
3. All South East Members of National Assembly
4. All South East State Assembly Members /Speakers
5. All South East State Chief Judges
6. Captains of Industry from South East Zone
7. All Federal and State Government Agencies in South East Zone
8. All Traditional Rulers from the SE zone
9. All Presidents Generals from the SE Zone
10. All head of Security Agencies in South East Zone
11. Head of all Tertiary institutions in the South East zone
12. All political office holders in South East zone
13. All federal Ministers from South east zone
14. Leaders of World Igbo Council
15. South East Traders Association
16. Manufactures Association of Nigeria, South East Zone
17. Hotel Owners Association, South East zone
18. Printing Press Association, South East zone
SEECA! LET THERE BE LIGHT, LET THERE BE LIGHT- SEECA
Come one , come all; let us discuss how to move Igbo Economy forward through
steady and uninterrupted power supply.
ANNOUNCERS:
Rev. Okechukwu C. Obioha, JP
National Chairman
Dr. Okechukwu Cyril-Nwuche
SEECA, Anambra State.
Chief Host
Prof. Chike Nwankwo
Chairman,
Central Planning Committee, SEECA
House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution,
House of Representatives,
National Assembly Complex,
Three Arms Zone,
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
PROPOSITION FOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
The above subject matter refers.
Introduction
We are a group of interest and justice based association, who seek the unification of every Igbo speaking parts of Nigeria. Our membership base are drawn across all the Igbo speaking parts of Delta State, Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Kogi State, Benue State, Cross River State and Edo State. It is no longer news that during the course of state creation in Nigeria, many parts of Igboland were divided and added to other various states. This is why we have many Igbo natives and speakers in states like Delta, Edo, Rivers, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa and Cross River. It is on this ground that we write this proposal to the Sixth Special House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for the adjustment of the boundary of Delta State, Rivers State, Kogi State, Benue State, Cross River State, and Edo State so as to carve out and include all the Igbo speaking parts to the various South Eastern states for inclusivity and unification. Or in the alternative, carve out and put all the Igbo speaking people of the identified states into a new state to be called Anioma State which will serve as the sixth state in the South East Geopolitical Zone.
Requirements for Boundary Adjustment
Section 8 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that “An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed if –
proposal for the boundary adjustment is approved by –
a simple majority of members of each House of the National Assembly, and
the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned.
Being that a Sixth Special Committee of the House on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has already been constituted, we hereby appeal and propose to you as the Chairman of the House Committee to use your good offices to cause a motion to be moved for the creation of Anioma State from all the Igbo speaking parts of the States in Delta and Edo State.Rivers, and the adjustment of the boundaries therein.
Igbo Speaking People Outside the South East Geopolitical Zone
For your kind consideration and for the purpose of the state creation and boundary adjustments, please find below a list of the Igbo speaking parts of Delta state, Rivers State, Kogi State, Benue State, Cross River State, Edo State:
Igbo Speaking Parts of Delta State
The Igbo speaking communities in Delta State include:
1. Abah
2. Abala
3. Nikoko
4. Abavo
5. Abi
6. Abodei
7. Aboh
8. Adai
9. Adonta
10. Afor
11. Agbor
12. Akakpan-Isumpe
13. Ankara
14. Akoku
15. Akuku-Akumazi
16. Akumazi-Umuocha
17. Akwuku-Igbo
18. Alasime
19. Alidinma
20. Alihagu
21. Amai
22. Anakwa
23. Anifekide
24. Aninwalo
25. Aninwama-Jeta
26. Aniofu
27. Aniogo
28. Anioma
29. Anuregu
30. Anwai
31. Asaba
32. Asaba-Ase
33. Asaba-Ubulu
34. Ashaka
35. Ashama
36. Atuma
37. Atuma-Iga
38. Azagba-Ogwashi
39. Azagba-Ubieni
40. Ebedi
41. Ebu
42. Edo-Ogwashi
43. Egbudu-Akah
44. Egbudu-Ogwashi
45. Ejeme-Agbor
46. Ejeme-Aniogo
47. Ejeme-Unor
48. Ekpecho
49. Ekpon
50. Ekwuemusana
51. Emu
52. Emuhu
53. Etua Etiti
54. Etua Ukpo
55. Ewulu
56. Ezi
57. Eziokpor
58. Ezionum
59. Ibodoni
60. Ibrode
61. Ibusa
62. Idumuesah
63. Idumuje-Ugboko
64. Idumuje-Unor
65. Idumu-Ogo
66. Igbanke
67. Igbodo
68. Igbuku
69. Illah
70. Isa-Ogwashi
71. Iselegu
72. Isheagu
73. Isikiti-Ishiagu
74. Issele-Azagba
75. Issele-Mkpitime
76. Issele-Uku
77. Isumpe
78. Kwale
79. Mbiri
80. Ndemiri
81. Ndokwa
82. Nkpolenyi
83. Nsukwa
84. Obeti
85. Obi Anyima
86. Obi Umutu
87. Obi
88. Obiaruku
89. Obikwele
90. Obinumba
91. Obior
92. Obodo-Eti
93. Obomkpa
94. Ogbe
95. Ogode
96. Ogume
97. Ogwashi-Uku
98. Oko Anala
99. Oko/Ogbele
100. Oko-Amakom
101. Okotomi
102. Okpa
103. Okpanam
104. Okwe
105. Oligbo
106. Olor-Usisa
107. Olu-Odu
108. Omaja
109. Onicha Olona
110. Onicha-Ugbo
111. Onicha-Uku
112. Onitsha-Ukwuani
113. Onogbokor
114. Onuseti
115. Onya
116. Oolor-Ogwashi
117. Otolokpo
118. Otulu
119. Owa Nta
120. Owa-Abi
121. Owa-Alero
122. Owa-Ofie
123. Owa-Oyibo
124. Owerri-Olubor
125. Ubulubu
126. Ubulu-Okiti
127. Ubulu-Okiti
128. Ubulu-Ukwu
129. Ubulu-Unor
130. Udumeje
131. Ugboba
132. Ugbodu
133. Ugbolu
134. Ugiliamai
135. Ukala-Okpunor
136. Ukala-Okwute
137. Ukwuani
138. Ukwunzu
139. Ukwu-Oba
140. Umuabu
141. Umu-Ebu Adonishaka
142. Umukwem
143. Umukwota
144. Umunede
145. Umuolu
146. Umute
147. Umutu
148. Unor
149. Unor
150. Unuaja
151. Ushie
152. Usisa
153. Utagba-Ogbe
154. Utagba-Unor
155. Utchi
156. Ute Aru
157. Ute Enugu
158. Utegbeje
159. Ute-Okpu
160. Utuoku
161. Ekuku Agbor
162. Obetim-uno
163. Ogbetiti
Igbo speaking part of Edo State
Igboakiri known today as Ignanke that constitute , omoluah, obiogba, idumuiru, igbontor, idumodin, Aki, Oligie and Ottah
Igbo Speaking Parts of Rivers States
The Igbo speaking communities in Rivers State include:
The Ikwerre are an indigenous Igbo tribe in Rivers State. The Ikwerre ethnic group in Rivers State, spans over four Local Government Areas such as: Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua. The Ikwerre are believed to have originated from Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State.
Igbo Speaking Parts of Kogi State
The indigenous ndi Igbo that are inhabitants in Kogi state, occupies Kogi East which is by far the most populated and the largest by its land mass. They are found under these local government areas:
The Akpanya people: They are under the Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area which shares boundary with Enugu state in the east and Niger River in the west. With 95% of the locals speaking Igbo and the remaining 5 percent are conversant with the Igala native tongue.
The Nwajala people: It is made up of other communities like; Umuoye, Ubulie-Umueze in Ibaji LGA, in the south of Kogi state. The community is separated from Edo State by the Niger River.
Ebokwe: It consists of communities like; Amaeke, Amadiefoha, Amankpo, Amauwanu camp, Amaufulu, which are all under Igalamela/Odolu LGA.
Eke Avurugo: The people of Eke Avurugo are under Ibaji Local Government Area, they are bilingual as they speak Igbo as a first language and Igala as a second language, this is as a result of living together with the Igalas.
Onicha-Igo Community: This is a community in Ofu LGA that is located in the central part of Kogi State. They are indigenous Igbo-speaking natives.
The Odolu Community: The people in Odolu community are also bilingual but in their case, the predominant language is Igala while the Nsukka Igbo tongue is adopted as their second language.
All the Igbo speaking communities in Kogi State have four (4) market days which are, Eke, Oye, Afor, and Nkwo. The present deputy governor of the state in the person of Edward David Onoja is from an Igbo speaking community, Odidoko-Emonyoku in Ogugu District, to be precise. The indigenous Igbo communities still uphold their culture and traditional values as their brothers and sisters in the Eastern part of Nigeria.
Igbo Speaking Parts of Benue State .
The Igbos in Benue State particularly those in Ado, Oju, Obi and Okpoku LGAs of the state were in existence before the advent of Christian religion in Nigeria.
The Igbos in Benue can be found in Umuezeokoha, Umuezeoka, Oriuzor, Umuoghara, Amaekka and Amaezekwe all sharing common boundaries with Ezza communities, Izzi, Ezzamgbo and Effiu of Ebonyi State. The people of Umuezeokoha has many villages. If you are to calculate the number of Igbo-speaking villages in Benue State, outside Umuezeokaoha, you would be talking altogether about over 600 villages. Three of the biggest markets in Benue are all in the Igbo-speaking part. The markets are Inikiri Ichari, Iddah, Iduokpe. There are also some Igbo speaking Idoma towns in Benue State.
Igbo Speaking Parts of Cross River State
The Isobo are the most eastern sub group of the Igbo nation domiciled mainly in Obubra LGA of Cross River State as well as part of Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State. They are possibly an offshoot of the Ikwo sub group and also within the same Obubra LGA are the Echara people who are by the way neighbors of the Isobo people. In Obubra, the three major clans are Isobo-Bikobiko; Isobo-Otaka and Isobo-Otaka.
The Igbo speaking Isobos dominate 2 Osopong wards out of the 11 wards in Obubra covering 18 polling units out of the 155 in the LGA. The Isobo people are said to occupy about 130km2 of land area and number some 20,705 people based on the controversial 2006 census exercise.
Remnants of the Isobo people are found in such places like Nd’Oka; Okwuenyim, Nd’Nkash; Appiapum; Nko; Imabana-Ochokwo; Igbo-Imabana and Igbudu mainly in Obubra as well as enclaves in Abi and possibly Yakurr LGA of the State.
History says they migrated from NCHONU which will put them as part of the Ikwo larger group. The major festival is the new yam festival called the AJI. The Isobobpeople also use the traditional Igbo week days of Eke, Afor, Orie and Nkwo(which is their market day)
Igbo speaking Parts of Akwa Ibom State
The Igbo speaking communities of Akwa Ibom State are:
1. Ohaobu Ndoki Community in Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom: Ohaobu is an Igbo compound word coined from ‘Oha’ meaning multitude or people and ‘Obu’ which means heart as well as the entrance to a man’s house where he receives guests.
Ohaobu could easily translate to people’s heart. The full meaning is Ohaobu Ndoki meaning the heart of the Ndoki people. This marks it as one of the most important towns in Ndoki land. Ndoki people are a sub-group of the Igbo People. They are also indigenous to Abia and Rivers State.
Ohaobu Ndoki presently is in Ukanafun LGA as a result of unjust boundary demarcations which saw many Ndoki communities separated from their kiths and kins in Abia State. Ohaobu People in Akwa Ibom still retain their Igboness. They still speak Igbo fluently and bear Igbo names too.
2. Obuagu (Heart of a Lion) is another Igbo community presently in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State. It was caved out of the present Obuagu community in Ebonyi State.
3. There are other infinitesimal communities at the fringes of Akwa Ibom, between the boundaries of Akwa Ibom and Abia and Ebonyi that are mostly bilingual. They speak Igbo and Annang flawlessly and also intermarry. Such communities include Itumbauzo communities in Ini LGA, Umubueze Village in Ika LGA and other obscure communities in Ini, Obot Akara, Essien Udom, Ika and Etim Ekpo LGAs of Akwa Ibom State.
Igbo Speaking Parts of Bayelsa State
Igbo settlements are scattered all over the state but the most notable settlements are in the Sagbama area. It is also believed that the Ogbia area is dominated by ndi Igbo since their language, culture, and fashion are similar to that of the Igbo in Sagbama.
There are three Igbo villages housed by Sagbama; Osekwenike, Abuetor, and Eke-Okpokri which are opined to be from the Ukawuani stock of the Anioma Igbo clan.
The ancestors of the Osekwenike, Abuetor, and Eke-Okpokri people are believed to be mostly farmers that migrated from their kin network (at a different time) that settled in ancient Bini. The present-day of ndi Igbo in Bayelsa are mostly fishermen and traders with other occupations such as farming and manufacturing palm oil.
Our Propositions/Prayers
Having identified successfully all the Igbo people outside of the South Eastern Nigeria, we therefore humbly request the Sixth Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution to either carry out boundaries adjustments to bring back all the identified Igbo people outside the South East states to their kins in Anambra State, Imo State, Abia State, Enugu State and Ebonyi State respectively; or in the alternative, to create a new state to be known as Anioma State where all the Igbo speaking people outside the South East will be put together in one state. Where the new state is created, the Constitution should be amended to include it as the sixth state in the South East Geopolitical Zone. This will bring equality and justice as all the other geopolitical zones have six states each, except the South East which has only five states.
As we await your favourable treatment of this propositions and prayers, accept the assurances of our kind regards.
Thank you, Honourable.
My name is Onyenwemadu Kainebi from AKUMAZI UMUOCHA in Ika Northeast LGA Delta State.
OCHIKORO IGBO NILE ONU 1 GBURUGBURU
I studied a course in Education, and came out with Second Class Honors, Upper Division. I started my secEXCELLENCYond job in Lagos state in the educational sector and my TRCN certificate saved the school from being shut down.
In October 2023, I heard that my State government was recruiting teachers. I applied and my name was among the 3,000 (Three Thousand) selected. So, on the 1st day of April, 2024, I put in my 1 (one) month Notice of Resignation.
My employer immediately made me a fresh offer; “she will open a bank account in my name and I will sign a 5 (five) year contract with her and one of the clauses read that I will cut ties with my family and focus on work for the next five years. Every year, she will pay 1 million Naira into the account (which I cannot have access to by the way) but after five years, I’ll have access to the account and move on with my life (5 million Naira in total)”. It felt like I was in a Dreamland.
After a few seconds of contemplating, I refused the offer on the spot, not because the money was small, no, but because the clause of cutting ties with my family (my earthly succour) felt like signing a Contract of Slavery.
In the remaining one month, she made an outcast of me in the school, yet, I worked and discharged my duties respectfully till the end, helped interview & recruit my replacement whom I put through work till I handed over peacefully.
The best phase of my life (as I thought) commenced as I traveled back for the Anambra State Teaching job with so much excitement and hope. Alas! After staying for almost 2 months at home with no Employment Letter in sight and a fast depleting bank account, I nearly gave up.
A few more weeks later, the State sent for us to come and pick up our Employment Letters. I went and collected mine but when I saw the Salary, nature of employment and conditions, I nearly went mad with incredulity or maybe slumped.
My dear State offered a temporary employment with 2 (Two) years probation period, no possibility of transfer for 10 (Ten) years and a meagre Salary of N33,122.65 (Thirty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira, Sixty-Five Kobo), Tax excluded. (Annual salary of N397,471.00).
My dreams died as I stared at the Offer of employment. The worst is that I and others that received the offer letter were told to backdate our Acceptance letter to bear a date in October, 2023 which raises the suspicion that since October 2023, someone in government has been collecting salaries of all those recently offered employment in July, 2024 and wants to use our Acceptance letters to cover up, isn’t it? What is the reason for the backdate? Something is fishy and should be investigated.
I dare ask:
1. What is the hope of an Educator in a state like my dear Anambra under a Professor of repute and governor?
2. Does governor Soludo know that such an appalling offer is being made to new recruits who came from far and near to serve in their own state and communities.
3. How in the world would N33,000+ be enough for transportation or even rent, let alone, for a month and within the next 10 years of my life?
I used to be a good writer but I feel my writing skills have disappeared from me at the instance of this ordeal.
All I feel is depressed in the state I longed to return to and help build through education.
The saddest is watching my parents get older and I wonder how this meagre Salary that can’t even fend for me would be enough to cater for them. At this point, they are catering for me.
For someone in her early 30s, I ask again,
What is the hope of an Educator in Anambra state or in Nigeria as a whole?
The shooter who made attempt to assassinate former US President Donald Trump at a rally, in Butler, Pennsylvania has been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
According to the FBI, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is the subject involved in the assassination attempt of Mr. Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump is the presidential candidate of the Republican party.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL- FBI,” the FBI said in a statement.
According to senior law enforcement sources, the individual who fired shots at Trump’s rally has been killed. He was shot dead by Secret Service snipers and an AR-style rifle recovered from him.
The shots were fired from an elevated position outside the Secret Service’s security perimeter, the sources added.
Photos taken near the scene show a person lying on a roof, bleeding from the head and surrounded by law enforcement officers.
The individual is wearing a grey T-shirt with an American flag on the sleeve and merchandise promoting a popular YouTube channel focused on firearms.
Something is really wrong with Nigeria . Everything is designed to frustrate the ordinary people . What works in other Countries seems unworkeable here . This is really unfortunate! Is Nigeria cursed or are we really the cause?
NNPC Mega Filling Station as Government retail outlet is primarily created to guarantee products supply to the market as well as price moderation.
I have noted over time that the NNPC Mega Filling Station in Awka is operating below the expected capacity ,perhaps because of Nigeria factor . Instead of Nine fuel pump points servicing the public , one can only see 3 functional machines dispensing fuel ,thereby forcing customers to maintain a long queue,waiting for hours to buy fuel at NNPC price of N600 .
The questions we should ask ;
Who is supervising the operations of NNPC Mega Filling Stations in the State ?
Why is the entire fuel pumps not working ?
Is there product scarcity?
The above questions should be addressed urgently as Nigeria is making simple things look complex . I am of the opinion that a litre of fuel should not be sold to Nigerians above N150. Cartels backed up by corporate rules have hijacked upstream,midstream and downstream sectors of oil and gas business of Nigeria against the interest of Nigerians . It is only the people that will set themselves free from these heartless economic saboteurs.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu is the Ambassador General of GGM
Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has accused President Bola Tinubu of hatching a grand conspiracy against Nigeria’s democracy following the Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local government areas.
A statement signed by the leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, said the ruling has done incalculable injury to the Nigerian state.
The statement is entitled: “Tinubu and the Grand Conspiracy Against Democracy and True Federalism in Nigeria.”
According to the statement, “Afenifere views the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case filed by the Federal Government on the so-called local government autonomy as a sheer judicial conspiracy in cahoots with the Tinubu administration against the Nigerian state and its foundational principles of federalism.
“Rather than interpret the constitution to uphold its elementary but overriding federal principle, which recognizes only a two-tier federal structure of the central government and federating states, the Supreme Court played to the gallery and wittingly allowed itself a most retrogressive declaration that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, Afenifere makes bold to say that in line with its negotiated basis of existence, Nigeria is a “Federation consisting of states and a Federal Capital Territory”. as affirmed by Section 2 (2) of the 1999 constitution.
“While Afenifere frowns at corruption and misuse of public funds at levels of government, it condemns in most unmistaken terms the subjugation of the states and their constitutional roles, including the local government system, to the whims and caprices of the federal government by any means including obvious manipulation of the federation account as in the present case.”
The group said that the 1999 constitution, which, in spite of its flaws, gives life and power to the Supreme Court, provides in Section 162 and particularly subsection (6) that each state shall maintain a special account to be called “State Joint Local Government Account” into which shall be paid all allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.
In fulfillment of our campaign promises, we are pleased to announce the official disbursement of a ₦1,000,000,000 Interest-Free Revolving Loan. The initiative aims to empower 10,000 Nano and Small Scale Entrepreneurs across the 184 wards in the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia State. Through the scheme, the State Government will provide essential financial support to entrepreneurs, fostering business growth and economic development.
The Abia State Cooperative Support Scheme has been set up to address the financial difficulties faced by small-scale business owners in both rural and urban communities. Our focus is on enhancing business awareness at the grassroots level, recognizing that this approach is crucial for combating endemic poverty and addressing our worrisome unemployment rate. The selected beneficiaries for this batch include farmers, petty traders, and artisans from various parts of the state.
Our model emphasizes productivity, job creation, and poverty reduction. Beyond the current beneficiaries, our target is to directly impact approximately 100,000 businesses over the next thirty-six months. We remain optimistic that today’s recipients will diligently repay their loans, enabling others to benefit. Additionally, we aspire to expand our reach beyond the set target, potentially collaborating with international partners and donor agencies to broaden opportunities.
To ensure effective ownership and control of the scheme, we have strategically leveraged community-based cooperative societies for loan disbursement. Members must understand the consequences of deliberate loan defaults; a depleted resource pool affects the chances of other members benefiting.
The scheme aligns seamlessly with our strategic development agenda. We are committed to improving the welfare of our citizens at the grassroots level. Our administration rejects a scenario where a select few monopolize community resources while the majority wallow in poverty.
Special thanks to stakeholders and Hon. Ishmael Onuoha, the Coordinator of the scheme, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Cooperative Societies, for their hard work in ensuring the success of the initiative.
The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 85 200-litre drums of petrol being illegally conveyed to the Republic of Cameroon.
The command also seized 795 25-litre jerry cans of the same product found concealed on a bush path at the Sahuda section of the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
The Customs Area controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir who called a news briefing Friday at the area command headquarters of the NCS in Yola, disclosed that a Carina E with a hidden compartment loaded with petrol was intercepted along the Girei-Wuro Boki axis of Adamawa State.
According to him, the foregoing seizures were made from the 29th of last month to date.
He added that within the past six weeks in all, the Area Command has recorded 17 cases of seizure of various items with an aggregate duty value of N36.9 million.
The customs area controller explained that smuggling of petrol out of Nigeria thrives because of high demand in the neighboring countries.
“In spite of the PMS subsidy repeal, smuggling from Nigeria into the neighboring countries flourishes. This is due to strong fuel demand and steeper prices in adjacent countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Benin Republic,” he said.
He vowed however that his command has been strengthening its capabilities and carrying out operations to counter every move of smugglers, adding, “We will continue until we bring smuggling down completely.”
Activities at Saints Academy and its immediate environment in Busa Buji, Jos North, were disrupted on Friday morning when the school’s two-story building caved in on students and their teachers.
The collapse trapped more than 70 pupils, witnesses said, transforming a peaceful educational environment into a scene of chaos.
Panicked and desperate residents quickly descended on the scene to provide help as screams for help rent the air. They were joined by emergency workers to battle the rubble to rescue those trapped underneath.
So far, 12 people have been pulled out dead while dozens of others injured in the collapse have been rushed to nearby hospitals.
Some of those who have been rushed to the hospitals are in urgent need of blood transfusions as the hospitals battle to treat them. 26 people are receiving treatment at one of the hospitals, Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, where some of the victims were taken and four bodies have also been moved to the hospital’s mortuary.
The Bingham Hospital has received seven bodies and is providing medical care for 16 injured people.
Thirty-four injured persons are being treated at the Plateau Specialist Hospital; two of them sustained spinal cord injuries.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are ongoing at the scene which is filled with the wailing of sirens from ambulances and and despairing parents eager to find out the fate of their children.
The Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven has mobilized five vans and thirty soldiers to support the rescue efforts.
Emergency workers, supported by volunteers, security personnel, and members of the Red Cross, are using excavators to rescue pupils still trapped under the rubble.
Rescue operation is underway as security agencies and rescue operators battle with excavators to rescue students and teachers buried under the rubble.
The number of casualty figures has yet to be ascertained.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has commenced sales of forex to Bureau De Change operators after a four-month hiatus .
This was after the apex bank confirmed forex sales of $122.67m to 46 authorized dealers on Friday.
A statement signed by the Bank’s Director in charge of Financial Markets, Dr Omolara Duke, said the new release is part of the bank’s determination to promote stability and reduce market volatility in the foreign exchange market.
The statement read in part, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has sold the sum of $122,671,000 to 46 authorized dealers in its determination to promote stability and reduce market volatility in the foreign exchange market.”
Last month, The President Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadebe, told The PUNCH that the apex bank had suspended supply to the BDCs since March and was moving towards a complete liberalization of the foreign currency market, which would not require its intervention.
He said, “The BDC window has been suspended by the Central Bank of Nigeria since around March or so. The last time we were funded I think was around March.”
This forex sales break allowed the naira to depreciate further to N1554/$ at the official market on Thursday.
Earlier this week, Nigeria’s external reserves increased yet again, reaching $35.05 billion as of July 8, 2024.
This is the first time it has crossed the $35 billion ceiling under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
