Observe COVID-19 safety measures- Gov Uzodimma tells Nigerians

 

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has urged Nigerians to observe all COVID-19 safety protocols as they celebrate the birth of Christ.

Uzodimma gave the advice on Friday in Owerri in his Christmas message to Imo people.

He urged them to pray for the healing of Nigerians who had contracted the virus.

Governor Uzodimma advised Imo residents to recommit themselves to making the state better while ensuring that the “flame of the divine light that Christ symbolises remains aglow’’.

He advised Christians not to lose sight of the reason for the festivity, which is God’s love for mankind and urged them to shun hatred and divisive acts.

“Jesus Christ heralds a new awakening and Christians should exploit the opportunity of this season to recommit themselves to making the society better and ensuring that the flame of this divine light is not extinguished.

“Jesus Christ did not only come to illuminate the world but remains the undisputed light of the world, the reason he is worshipped, adored and glorified.”NAN quoted him as saying.

Four houses destroyed in Anambra community crisis, indigenes beg Obiano to intervene

At least four houses have been destroyed in Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State following a crisis allegedly instigated by some influential members of the community.

Indigenes of the community have called on the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abang to investigate the crisis, with a view to meting out appropriate punishment to those behind it.

Mr Chibuzor Onwujekwe, a member of the community whose house was invaded and destroyed said the destruction was carried out by some youths in the village who were being sponsored and that the intention of the invaders was to kill him but luckily, he was away from home on the day of the invasion.

“They destroyed my house totally and looted everything in it. Since then, I have been moving from one hotel to the other. I am not the only one affected, there are other indigenes, whose houses were also destroyed by the hoodlums.

“We are begging governor Obiano to wade into the matter and save the community from being plunged into crisis.

Meanwhile, the community’s lawyer, Barr Mike Ikegbunam has petitioned the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano; Anambra police commissioner, Mr John Abang and others in a ‘Save Our Soul Message’, asking them to intervene in the crisis rocking the community.

In the petition which was made available to , Ikegbunam mentioned the President General of Nawfia community, Mr Nathan Enemuo as one of those causing crisis in the community.

He also listed Chibuzor Onwujekwe, Ogochukwu Okonkwo, Dinobi Chukwuebuka and Chief Gabriel Okonkwo as some of those whose houses have also been destroyed in the crisis.

He said, “The problem started on 18th October, when armed bandits mobilized and led by the duo (Nathan Enemuo and BIE Nwofor) stormed Chief Gabriel Okonkwo’s house with assorted weapons, and right in the presence of everyone, beat him mercilessly.

“They beat him until he fainted, and believing him to be dead, they now swooped upon his house and destroyed every valuable thing in it. In view of this ugly incident, we are calling on you (Governor Obiano) to as a matter of urgency investigate Nawfia Town Union led by Nathan Enemuo and his cohorts.”

Ikegbunam asked for the suspension of the group referred to as taskforce, being used by the town union to rain terror on the people, describing it as an illegal group.

In his response, the President-General of the community, Mr Nathan Enemuo who spoke with  denied that his community uses any village militia to intimidate the people.

Asked if he was responsible for the destruction of houses in the community, Enemuo said he would not like to comment further as he has been advised by his lawyer not to speak.

He, however, accepted that he had been having a running battle with Chief Okonkwo, who he said was bent on smearing his name.

COVID-19, Do all you can to stay alive – Gov. Emmanuel, tells Akwa Ibom people

 Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has enjoined his people to do all they can to stay alive amid the second wave of coronavirus ravaging the country and the world at large.

During his 2020 Christmas broadcast, Gov.Emmanuel urged them to observe the safety protocols prescribed by the World Health Organisation and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control against COVID- 19 to avoid embarking on another lockdown in the state.

The governor, however, likened the year 202O to ‘a bumpy ride on a gallop-filled rural road’ and reassured that with togetherness, love and steadfastness, the people would come out stronger.

He said, “fellow Akwaibomites, let us press forward by doing all we can to stay alive and beat the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. As you may already know, we are currently experiencing the second wave of the pandemic, but as we had succeeded in stemming the rate of infection when it first hit our shores, I ask you to join hands with us again to beat this second wave.

“The use of facemasks, social distancing, regular hand washing, hand sanitisers are protocols that have worked in reducing infections. Let us remain committed to applying these protocols. If we adhere to these simple but effective rules, there may be no need for us to impose another lockdown, but if we observe that these rules are flouted, then we may have no other option than to put the State under lockdown.

“This year was like a bumpy ride on a gallop-filled rural road. But God kept His word in Isaiah 43:2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

”We passed through the scourge of the pandemic and it did not overwhelm us. We witnessed looting and arson from the EndSars, and it did not consume us. We have a lot to thank God for, as this year draws to a close. As the Bible enjoins us to let us, in the New Year, “forget those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before us, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

DIG Mohammed ,visits Stanel Dome, commends its Chairman Stanley Uzochukwu

 

Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the newly inaugurated 13th Zonal Command of the Nigeria Police Force

 (covering Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States), Mohammed Danmallam, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Stanel Dome, and its Chairman, Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu in Awka.

The visit which was part of his familiarization tour in the Zone was in recognition of the commendable impacts of Dr. Uzochukwu’s investments on youths and economy of Anambra State.

In his remarks, Danmallam who was impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities of Stanel Group in Awka especially the newly constructed Stanel Dome, told the Stanel boss that, “If Nigeria has few young men who could think home like you, our country – Nigeria would be a better place for all”.

“Nigeria Police can assure you of her full support in the area of protection of lives and property. We will do everything within our reach to ensure that the zone is safe for all”.

The upcoming famous Stanel event, “Access More With Stanel,” 2nd edition slated for February 2021 is expected to be hosted in the first of its kind in South-East Stanel Dome. 

The Dome is an expansion of Stanel World in Awka which, since its inception of provision of 24 hours services, there has been no dull moment in Awka. It has become a household name and entertainment world in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Responding to the police team headed by the DIG in his office, Dr. Uzochukwu thanked the Police for counting Stanel facilities worthy of the familiarisation visit in the Zone. He also appreciated the pledge of the force to ensure the safety of lives and property in the zone.

Danmallam was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Zone 13, Administration; Miringa Musa, the 2ic Base 15 Special Protection Unit; Ajibola A. Ademola, the Personal Assistant to the AIG, DSP Tony Anthony and others.

PFN Chairman Emmanuel Egbo, wife abducted on Christmas day by gunmen

 

The Kaduna State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako and his wife, Mrs Cindy Bako,

 were on Friday evening, 25th December 2020, kidnapped by unknown gunmen at their residence in Albarka Camp, Fadan Kagoma, near Kafanchan in Jema’a local government area.

The state chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who confirmed the kidnap of the cleric and his wife to  said the Christmas celebration came and went with sad dust of abduction of a religious leader with his wife.

Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako, according to Rev. Hayab, is the Secretary, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association

Hayab lamented that the Church has had enough of relentless kidnapping of its members and ransoms being paid before getting their freedom.

He described Apostle Bako as a very strong member of Jema’a network, a father to many, a front runner of peace, justice and unity in Southern Kaduna, calling on security agencies to help ensure their release from their abductors.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who promised to get back to our correspondent on the alleged abduction of the cleric and his wife did not do so, until the time of filing this report.

Governor Badaru reveals why APC may lose 2023 election

 

Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC), may lose the 2023 election in the state if the crisis in the party is not checked.

Badaru stated this while speaking at the inauguration of the APC caretaker committee in Duste, state’s capital, on Friday.

He warned that he would no longer tolerate any party member associating with factions in the state.

The committee’s inauguration is coming after Habibu Sara, former APC chairman in Jigawa, was removed from office after a caucus meeting.

Sara was accused of being loyal to Sabo Nakudu, the Senator representing Jigawa central.

“If we allow our personal interest to influence our collective interest, I am assuring you we are going to lose and by then my tenure would have elapsed.

“We are the responsible members of the party, I once sacrificed my governorship candidate to Hadejia emirate for sake of peace. However, God later made me the governor,” Badaru said

I have no plans of dumping PDP- Gov Ikpeazu

   

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has reiterated that he has no plans of dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ikpeazu in an interview on Friday said he believed that people from Abia State are comfortable with PDP.

According to him, the aspirations of the state will be met under the leadership of the PDP.

He said, “I don’t begrudge those who jump political platforms but for me, I have not seen any reason why I should leave PDP.

“The music of politics as it plays differs from one day to another. Here in Abia, I think that ndi Abia are comfortable with PDP.

“I think the aspirations of ndi Abia will be met under the platform of the PDP. Nobody has been able to convince me that there is a better party for us in Abia than the PDP.

“Not until that happens I am a strong member of PDP, I am a leader in PDP and in fact, I am the deputy chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. I will rather be a conductor in a moving vehicle than a driver of the stationary vehicle.”