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General news

MACBAN commits to peace and security in Enugu State

 

MACBAN

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 31, 2022 (NAN) The Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says it is committed to ensuring peace and security in Enugu State.

The declaration was made in Enugu on Sunday by its South-East Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it had become necessary to make such commitment following mutual suspicion between herders and members of their host communities.

He said that contrary to opinions in some quarters, herders who were doing their legitimate businesses in the state were law-abiding and not part of the security breaches in parts of the state.

He said matters of strained relationship between villages in Eha-Amufu in Isiuzo Local Government Area of the state and herders in the area were being sorted out.

“There arose complaints that some herders in the area were involved in criminal activities which caused a strain in the relationship between them and the host community.

“This bad blood escalated to the point of people being attacked and killed by hoodlums and the herders had no option than to relocate to nearby communities in Benue,’’ he said.

Siddiki said it was gratifying, however, that the state government had initiated a peaceful resolution of the mistrust between the two groups.

He said the move involved a strategic meeting between representatives of the villages in Eha-Amufu, herders’ leaders from Benue, Kogi and Enugu states and the chief security officer of Isiuzo Local Government Area.

Siddiki said the essence of the meeting was to usher in peace and security which had been elusive in the area.

“I am happy that our people and members of the host communities have finally come together to bring peace and security in that area.

“We commend Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for creating this synergy that has brought us together to sue for sustainable peace.

“Without this, we will not have access to the host communities. May God continue to guide the governor until the end of his administration,” Siddiki prayed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

EOA/ALLI

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

 

Health

Human Trafficking: NAPTIP partners Facebook, NCMEC to enhance investigation

Trafficking

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 30, 2022 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it is in partnership with Facebook to enhance tracing and diligent investigation of cases relating to online child abuse and others.

The agency is also partnering the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in carrying out its activities.

The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, South-East, Mrs Nneka Ajie disclosed this on Saturday in Enugu during a press briefing to mark the 2022 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

“NAPTIP has concluded partnership with Facebook and NCMEC to set up Amber Alert Nigeria, due to the increase in state and interstate trafficking, buying and selling of children and cryptic pregnancies.

“The Amber Alert is a situation, whereby, Facebook sends alerts to targeted Facebook community to help find missing children in Nigeria,” Ajie said.

Ajie described human trafficking as modern day slavery, adding that the recruitment of victims had gone multi-dimensional.

The zonal commander also said that no fewer than 170 human trafficking cases had been reported in Enugu State in the last one year, adding that four convictions were recorded within the period.

According to her, no fewer than 1800 human trafficking victims have been rescued in Enugu State in the last 10 years.

On the theme of the 2022 celebration which is ‘Use and Abuse of Technology’, Ajie said that the new approach of recruiting victims involved the use of technology.

“Over 40 per cent of victims are now recruited online and this has raised concerns considering the impact of the social media on our children,” she said.

She, however, said that technology had its positive impact on the crusade against human trafficking.

In her remarks, Mrs Amarachi Kene-Okafor, the Enugu State Coordinator, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), said that human trafficking had conquered cyber space.

Kene-Okafor said that the internet and digital platforms offered traffickers tools to recruit, exploit, and control victims.

According to her, traffickers also organise transport and accommodation of victims, advertise and reach out to potential clients online.

“For people on the move, online resources can become a trap, especially when it comes to phony travel arrangements and fake job offers targeting vulnerable groups.

“However, in the use of technology also lies great opportunity. Success in eradicating human trafficking will depend on how we can leverage on law enforcement and the criminal justice system,” she said.

She said that prevention and sensitisation on the safe use of the internet and social media could help mitigate the risk of people falling victim of trafficking online.

“NACTAL shall continue to do all within its power to ensure that trafficking in persons is eradicated in our country and in Enugu State in particular,” Kene-Okafor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that July 30 every year is set aside for awareness on the situation of victims of human trafficking and protection of their rights.

Highlights of the event was a road walk to sensitise the public on dangers of human trafficking in the country.

The press conference was organised by NACTAL with support from Expertise France. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

 

 

General news

NYSC: 1, 144 corps members resume orientation course in Enugu

NYSC

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 26, 2023 (NAN) No fewer than 1, 144 corps members were on Tuesday in Enugu sworn-in for the 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream II orientation course of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice A. R. Ozoemena, who administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members, charged them to take the orientation course seriously in order to surmount the challenges ahead.

Ozoemena was represented at the event by the Administrative Chief Magistrate, Awgu Magisterial District, Mr Emmanuel Ikechukwu.

The chief judge charged the corps members to be focused all through the orientation course and beyond.

“You are imbued with potentials;  you have the zeal, wits, resilience, vibrancy  and creativity to help the society grow.

“Therefore, I urge you to take the course seriously as it will put you on front footing for the challenges which you may encounter during the service year and beyond,” he said.

He urged all corps employers and stakeholders in youth welfare to show more commitment in the development of the talents of Nigerian youths for national development.

Ozoemena said that the state government had through continuous revision of its laws mapped out strategies to help the youths achieve their potentials.

Also, the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. M.K Fadah, described the oath of allegiance as significant, adding that it would guide their conducts in the service year and beyond.

Fadah was represented at the event by the NYSC Director in Enugu State, Mr Sam Ujogu.

He advised the corps members to take seriously the issues of their security and to lead lives worthy of emulation.

“I will like to remind you that white-collar jobs are not readily available. Therefore, I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self-employment offered through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.

“You are expected to choose from any of the skill areas and make yourselves available for the training which starts from orientation camp.

“On our part, management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme,” Fadah said.

NAN further reports that the corps members are made up of 285 males and 859 females. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

General news

Minimum Wage: Enugu NULGE, NUT threaten strike, give government 7 days ultimatum

Strike

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 21, 2022 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and its Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) counterpart in Enugu State have given the state and Local Governments seven days ultimatum to implement N30,000 minimum wage.

The two unions disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu during a joint press conference following the non implementation of the minimum wage to workers at the third tier of government.

They threatened a total shutdown of the local government system and primary school sub-sector in Enugu State, at the expiration of the ultimatum on July 28.

Recall that the state government had in February 2020 started the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

However, only workers in the core ministries of the state government and secondary school teachers were captured while others in Agencies and Departments and local government councils were left out.

On May 9, 2022, public primary school teachers in the state embarked on an indefinite strike which lasted for one month to press home their demand for the new wage.

However, the leadership of the NUT in a letter with reference no. NUT/ENS/GH/04/573 dated June 8, 2022 suspended the strike for just one month.

The NUT Chairman in the state, Chief Theophilus Odo had said that the suspension of the strike was due to the intervention of the state governor.

Odo had said that the one month timeline was to enable the state governor give a befitting consideration to the minimum wage saga for primary school teachers.

However, the NUT chairman said that it was sad that after six weeks of the suspension of the strike, there were no commitments by the local government chairmen to pay the new wage.

“If by Wednesday, July 27, 2022, the minimum wage with its consequential adjustment is not implemented, industrial harmony may not be guaranteed in the state.

“The two affected industrial unions in the state will proceed on strike,” he said.

Odo said that the NUT had done well to give the government over one month window to implement the new wage for workers in the two sectors.

“After a month and two weeks, nothing positive has emerged from government towards addressing the matter.

“Instead, the implementation is tactfully being delayed with unfulfilled promises that the issue would soon be over,” Odo said.

Also, the President of NULGE, Enugu State Chapter, Mr Kenneth Ugwueze, said that they needed the state governor to direct local government chairmen in the state to comply with the payment.

Ugwueze described the condition of most local government workers in the state as “pitiable”.

He said that most local government workers in the state were paid N18, 000.

He said that notwithstanding series of meetings with relevant authorities, reports of committees, consultations and appeals as well as a subsisting court judgment, the government had remained adamant.

Ugwueze urged workers in the local government system to prepare for the strike which he said would be total.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the governor on Information, Mr Steve Oruruo told NAN that he would go to the Government House to find out government’s plan to avert the impending strike before responding.

Also, efforts to reach the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Simon Ortuanya, failed, as he did not respond to calls and messages put across to him.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/ MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

 

Judiciary

Man, 53, bags 30 years for ingesting 72 wraps of cocaine

Cocaine

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 20, 2022 (NAN) The Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on Wednesday sentenced one Charles Ude, 53, for ingesting 72 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.7 kilogrammes.

Udeh, resident of No 5 Nkanunta Street, Meniru in Awkunanaw, of Enugu State was convicted to a two count charge for drug trafficking.

The father of five children was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Dec. 3, 2021 during an outward clearance of the Ethiopian Airline at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

According to the Prosecutor, Afum Obeta, Udeh was arrested by 12.30pm on Dec. 3, 2021 during screening at the airport and was placed under surveillance at the agency’s custody.

“While under observation for some hours at about 10pm, the convict excreted the substance at two different times which was discovered to be cocaine after forensic analysis.

During hearing, Udeh, who previously pleaded not guilty to the two count charge preferred against him later changed his plea and admitted committing the crime.

He said he was lured into the crime by a man called Schoolboy who capitalized on his poor condition of life adding that he was a first offender to the crime.

The convict, through his counsel, Mr Anthony Nnamoko pleaded for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, however, sentenced him to 15 years each of the two count charge which would run concurrently.

The judge ordered that the exhibits be destroyed under his watch within 24 hours. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

General news

Businesses dying over high cost of diesel, says NCCIMA

Business

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 15, 2022 (NAN) The Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA) says agriculture businesses in the area are dying over high cost of diesel.

The Director-General of the chamber, Mr Dan Ochi, disclosed this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Ochi, who is also the Managing Director, Global Farms, said the worst affected were the tomatoes and pepper production businesses that depended on diesel for irrigation purposes.

“We have stopped the production of our tomatoes and pepper because we can no longer run our irrigation machines at the current pump price of diesel.

“Our business started when the pump price of diesel was N200 but it is over N800 now and this does not in any way support business,” he said.

The director-general said companies that were into the production of fresh tomatoes, yellow and red pepper, popularly called ‘Nsukka Pepper’, had closed for business, leading to job losses.

“We have a greenhouse farm with an irrigation system where we produce tomatoes and pepper both in rainy and dry seasons.

“We supply to processing organisations. Sometimes we dry them and sell locally. We pump water from 650 feet deep because water is a major raw material for the production,” he said.

 According to Ochi, no amount of effort can make one to break even at the current high cost of diesel.

“We were producing one metric ton every month but most of our workers have been asked to go home,” he said.

He said that it was sad that most government policies were not supportive of small enterprises.

He described the business environment in the South-East as not encouraging due to several factors.

“The business environment in the South-East is poor. The road infrastructure is deplorable, coupled with extortion by various security agencies on the road.

“All these add up to increase the total cost of the goods,” Ochi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

 

Health

WACOL records 450 gender-based cases in 6 months

WACOL

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 14, 2022  (NAN)  The Founder, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Prof. Joy Ezilo, says no fewer than 450 cases of violence against women were reported to the organisation between January and June 2022.

Ezilo disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu while presenting the bi-annual report of the organisation.

She said that the cases reported included rape, defilement, incest, domestic violence, child custody, neglect and non-maintenance.

Others are denial of inheritance, harmful widowhood practices, malicious damage to property, forceful ejection, abandonment of spouses, early and forced marriage.

She also said that a significant number of complaints were reported by male victims who complained about emotional and physical spousal abuse and others.

 

Ezilo said that adult victims reported 433 while 17 cases involved minors.

“The cases reported by female clients amounted to 431 while the remaining 19 incidents were reported by male clients.

“In terms of disaggregation by age, 171 cases featured complainants between 25years and 34years while those between ages 35 and 44 are 151 cases.

“Fifty-four cases were reported by those between 45years and 49years. Similarly, 33 complaints were by those between 18years and 24years, while those above 60years were the lowest at 18 cases,” she said.

Ezilo said that about six incidents had no specific age bracket.

She said that no fewer than 194 people received legal aid services, 38 clients accessed psycho-social support while three persons received medical care within the period.

According to her,  the legal experts and counsellors in WACOL leveraged on their knowledge of alternative dispute resolution mechanism to resolve majority of the civil matters.

“This led to the settlement and reconciliation of spouses and families in dispute. However, few cases which failed at the arbitration were charged to court.

“All criminal matters were referred to the police for arrests and prosecution,” she said.

She said that the organisation had written about 181 petitions to the police and other relevant agencies requesting prompt prosecution of the reported incidents.

Ezilo said that no fewer than 62,000 women and girls had accessed free legal aid and assistance since 1998.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WACOL is a not-for-profit civil society organisation registered in Nigeria and operates across the West African subregion.

The organisation has gained national and global reputation as consistent advocates for the protection and promotion of the rights of people, especially women and young people.

It also works in the area of social reforms, policy formulation, and lobbying for the implementation of laws that promote the rights of women and gender equality. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
EOA/KOK
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General news

Eid-el-Kabir: Let’s embrace life of sacrifice, MACBAN tells Nigerians

MACBAN

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 9, 2022 (NAN) The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on Nigerians to embrace the life of sacrifice and tolerance.

The Chairman of MACBAN, South-East Zone, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki made the call in a Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah, governments and people of the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eid – el- Kabir is performed yearly by Muslims in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his only son to Allah.

Siddiki said that such sacrifice envisaged and upheld the universality of the human family which was the basis of accommodation and tolerance among diverse peoples.

“We pray for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians and for improved peace and understanding between our herders and their host communities in the South-East.

“We, sincerely, sue for better understanding and information management in order to avoid half-truths and outright falsehoods that can heat up the society,” he said.

The chairman urged state governments, traditional and religious leaders and opinion leaders not to relent in their advocacy for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“We plead for fairness and restraints in information management in order not to unfairly criminalise any group of people doing their legitimate business in any part of the country .

“This is as we maintain that criminals, wherever they are identified, should be made to face the full wrath of the laws of the land,” he said.

Siddiki said that the safety of  citizens was the primary responsibility of government.

“We appreciate the governments and people of the zone for the enablement to successfully do our business in the area and pray that the spirit of the season prevails and continues to instruct our lives and attitudes toward one another,” Siddiki said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/CHOM

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

 

 

Health

NYSC: 96 youth corps members get service extension, 19 abscond in Enugu

NYSC: 96 youth corps members get service extension, 19 abscond in Enugu

NYSC
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, July 7, 2022 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of 96 youth
corps members in the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 in Enugu State.

The Coordinator of the scheme in the state, Mr Sam Ujogu, made this known on Thursday in Enugu during the
passing-out ceremony of members posted to the state.

He said that 19 of the youth corps members who absconded from service would be re-mobilised afresh whenever they resurfaced.

He added that the sanctions were in line with the by-laws of the NYSC scheme.

He explained that two youth corps members in the stream died in a space of two days in the course of the national service.

He said “Bayode Akinola Feranmi died on July 4, 2022 while swimming in a hotel pool in Enugu, while Ilo Blessing Ngozi
passed away on July 5, 2022 after a protracted struggle with breast cancer.”

Ujogu said that the outgoing youth corps members conducted themselves creditably well during the service year.

He said “as you move ahead to assume greater responsibilities, do not forget the positive experiences you acquired during your service and stay in the state.

“In whatever position you find yourselves in the future, always endeavour to exhibit discipline and selflessness inculcated in you by the NYSC scheme.”

Ujogu commended the state government for the support and goodwill to the scheme.

He, however, appealed for greater support from the state government to enable the management of the scheme in the state to address their needs.

“We are in dire need of a utility vehicle that will enable us to carry out inspection of corps members who are serving all over the state.

“We wish to remind the governor about the promise to renovate and to construct access road to the orientation camp,” he said.

Responding, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said the state government was committed to improving the welfare of youth corps members
deployed to the state.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Chief Uwakwe Azikiwe, said that the state government was appreciative of
the contributions of youth corps members to national development.

On the 2023 general elections, the governor appealed to the NYSC members to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to enable them to
participate in the electoral process. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

 

 

 

Economy

NEPC trains 45 newly registered non-oil exporters in Enugu

Exporters

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, July 1, 2022 (NAN) The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Friday trained 45 newly registered non-oil exporters in  Enugu State on export procedures documentation, certification and other needs.

The Assistant Director, NEPC, Mrs Ngozi Ibe, said that the training was carried out under the Export Clinic of the council which was specially designed to build the capacities of trainees.

Ibe said that the training covered all the basics of non-oil export sector in the country.

“The clinic will unveil the myriads of benefits that exporters stand to enjoy in the course of exporting formally,” she said.

She said that the NEPC had over the years worked to achieve its mandate by coordinating and harmonizing export development and promotion activities in the country.

“The NEPC has taken the lead in all national export programmes and interfacing with international trade agencies on cooperation and capacity building.

“We recognise that international trade is quite different from local trading with several unique features and intricacies that set it apart.

“To this end, it is quite necessary for potential exporters and newly registered exporters to be guided through the process of exporting from Nigeria in order to maximize opportunities and avoid common mistakes,” Ibe said.

Also, the South-East Regional Coordinator, NEPC, Mr Arnold Jackson, said the mandate of the council was to spearhead the diversification of the Nigerian economy by expanding and increasing non-oil exports for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Jackson said that government had actively sought to facilitate export of commodities which he described as crucial for the economy.

The regional coordinator said that the council was always available to assist current and potential non-oil exporters to succeed.

In an interview, one of the participants, Mrs Nwamaka Eneh, applauded the council for their vibrant activities in the state.

Eneh said that she had never known about the activities of the NEPC until recently, adding that it was a new dawn for potential exporters in the region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EOA/ MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu