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Sport

African Games: DOS says Ebonyi proud of gold medal-winning weightlifting products

Products
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 1, 2019 (NAN) The Ebonyi Youth Development and Sports Ministry on Sunday expressed its pride at the performance of its weightlifting products who won medals at the just-ended 12th African Games in Morocco.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that weightlifting contributed the highest haul of Team Nigeria’s medals with 16 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze totaling 47 medals.

Emmanuel Utobo, the state’s Director of Sports, told NAN in Abakaliki that the state’s athletes who were part of the medals’ haul included Chika Amalagha and Joy Eze.

“Eze won three gold medals in the female 65kg category, making her that category’s best on the continent, while Amalagha won one gold and two silver medals in the female 54kg category.

“The state is proud of both athletes because we discovered and adequately harnessed their talents and brought them into national and continental limelight,” he said.

The Director of Sports attributed the weightlifters’ feat to the enabling environment and support provided to sports men and women by the state government.

He added that this had enabled them to strive in their chosen career.

“The governor, David Umahi, through his robust sports policies provided adequate facilities for the athletes to train while enhancing their welfare.

“The coaches have also been adequately motivated to effectively impact the required techniques and tactics into the athletes,” Utobo said.

He said even though the athletes presently have stints with Rivers and Delta respectively, there were possibilities that the state government would host them on return from the games.

“We will adequately inform the state government of this on the athletes’ return from Morocco,” the Ebonyi Director of Sports said.

NAN reports that Team Nigeria finished in an impressive second position at the Games with 46 gold, 33 silver and 48 bronze for a total of 127 medals.(NAN)
RCO/OLAL
===========

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Defence/Security

Gov. Umahi petitions S/African govt over murder of Ebonyi indigene

Gov. Umahi petitions S/African govt over slain Ebonyi indigene

By Douglas Okoro
Petition
Abakaliki, Aug. 4, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has petitioned the South African government over the gruesome murder of Mr Benjamin Simeon, an indigene of Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state but resident in South Africa.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, expressed great sadness over the gruesome murder of Simeon by yet to be identified gunmen in Johannesburg.

In the petion addressed to the South African High Commission in Nigeria, he called for a full scale investigation into the killing of the Nigerian citizen with a view to unmasking the killers and bringing them to justice.

The statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Uzor, the governor requested in the petition for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder.

According to the statement, Simeon was allegedly shot by yet to be identified gunmen on Aug. 3, 2019, at Verona Street in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The deceased, was until his death a law abiding Nigerian citizen resident in South Africa where he was going about his normal business as a taxi driver.

He had dropped his passengers shortly before he was allegedly shot dead by his assailants.

Umahi also called on the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, to intervene in the matter to ensure that the South African envoy acts on the petition and the urgent need to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.

Umahi said the murder of the 43-year-old indigene of Ebonyi had thrown the state into mourning, while pleading that he must not die in vain.

“Unraveling the circumstances surrounding this heinous murder of Simeon presents to the fore, the need for the South African government to undertake requisite thoroughness and transparency to ensure that justice is served.

“We call on South African government to ensure that justice is not only served to Simeon but also served to the Nigerian government, Ebonyi and the family of the deceased.

“The loss of a highly talented and law abiding citizen of Nigeria who was going about his legitimate business in South Africa aptly challenges us all to call on the reserves of our cherished African brotherhood.

“In the face of the foregoing, the least that can be done for him and his family now is to prove that he did not die in vain by vigorously probing his murder and ensuring that the killers face justice,” the statement read in part. (NAN)
ODO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

2019: SDP promises aggressive infrastructure, institutional reforms in Ebonyi

Chief Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo,

Reforms
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Jan. 5, 2019 (NAN) Chief Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi has promised aggressive infrastructure and institutional reforms in Ebonyi if elected in 2019.

Chibueze-Agbo, a former Commissioner for Education in Ebonyi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki.

He decried infrastructure and institutional decay in the state and gave the assurance that an SDP government would pursue aggressive reforms towards re-positioning various sectors of the economy.

He said his reforms would focus on five key areas of education, health, social empowerment, security and agriculture.

He said: “The development of a state or a people is not measured by the number of buildings, flyovers, concrete pavements, electric bulbs on the streets; neither is it measured by the number of painted walls, glass tunnels and vehicles.

“Development is also not measured by the number of motorcycles, number of individuals working as governor’s aides.

“Developed people are recognised by the sophistication of their democracy; obedience to rules and order, by the opportunities and awareness, by the peace they enjoy.

“People must be free to express their views on issues without fear of attack, intimidation, molestation and deprivation.

“SDP government will deepen democracy, free the oppressed masses of the state and make them happy if voted into power.

“Our government if given the opportunity will give Ebonyi people the passport to prosperity.

“The SDP government in Ebonyi under my watch will make available N120,000 to every Ebonyi adult.

“N20,000 will serve as a seed grant which is non refundable while the remaining N100,000 will serve as a soft loan payable within 6 months.

“N20,000 will serve to cushion the effects of the hardship of the past four years,” he said.

Chibueze-Ago, therefore, urged the electorate to vote his party so as to turn around the political, economic and social fortunes of the state. (NAN)
ODO/OSA/IS
==========
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Health

Ebonyi Govt totally bans sale of tramadol, codeine substances

Ebonyi Govt totally bans sale of tramadol, codeine substances
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Ban
Abakaliki, July `3, 2018 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government has totally banned the sale of tramadol and codeine-containing products in chemists, pharmacies and other health facilities in the state.
Dr Sunday Nwangele, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. David Umahi on Health Services, announced this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.
Nwangele who said that the ban took immediate effect, added that restriction has also been placed on the sale of antibiotics and analgesics Over The Counter (OTC) in these health outlets.
“Henceforth, issuance of antibiotics and analgesics will be strictly on doctor’s prescription as this directive will be adequately monitored,” he said.
“OTC drugs are not affected by the restriction as is obtained in the country, African continent and other parts of the world.
“The OTC drugs such as paracetamol, minimal dosage of Ibuprofen, aspirin, among others, are basic analgesics and drugs used to treat fever but we are talking of serious analgesics.
“These analgesics are orally administered, injected into the muscles or veins and can also be steroidal or non-steroidal.
“This is the area doctor’s prescription comes in because such drugs such as tramadol are greatly abused and they reflect in the brain.
“The state government is aware of the devastating effects of these drugs especially on the youths which have led to increase in crime and other social vices,” he said.
He said that the government also regretted the failure of Ebonyi indigenes to pass the medical screening of various security and paramilitary outfits, during job recruitment.
“We discovered that they fail because they test positive to hepatitis B surface-antigens, as the government will soon commence public screening over the issue.
“The date of the screening will soon be announced but our people especially youths are advised to conduct individual screening to ascertain their hepatitis B surface-antigens status.
“This will enable us effectively manage those already afflicted by the disease and properly prepare those who test negative, to undergo the outfits’ screening,” he said.
Nwangele further said that the government has also declared war on adulterated kerosene and other petroleum products across the state by placing total ban on their sales.
“The government, however, sympathises with the family which lost its dear ones at Ezza South Local Government Area due to kerosene explosion.
“The governor further directs his special assistant on petroleum pricing and distribution to liaise with relevant security agencies and petroleum products-dealers in the state to enforce the directive.
“The government will deal decisively with individuals or groups who sell tramadol and codeine-containing products, flout the restriction on sale of antibiotics and analgesics and sell adulterated petroleum products.
“The committee set up to check the sale of fake drugs and other substandard products are working assiduously with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“It is our desire that the committee and these agencies work together to achieve a total stoppage to the sale and usage of fake products in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
RCO/VOE/MST
Edited by Vivian Emoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Ebonyi APC holds peaceful, successful LG congress

Ebonyi APC holds peaceful, successful LG congress
By Douglas Okoro
Congress
Abakaliki, May 12, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government Congress Committee for Ebonyi, Chief Nicholas Adekunle-Ajayi, has described the exercise as successful and peaceful.
Adekunle-Ajayi stated this at the party’s secretariat on Saturday in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the congresses held across the 13 local government areas of the state.
He said that the huge success recorded was an indication of acceptance of the party in Ebonyi and commitment of party faithful to install an APC government in 2019.
Adekunle-Ajayi who monitored the exercise in five local government areas in company of the state party Chairman, Chief Eze Nwachukwu, and other party chieftains, described the congresses as peaceful, credible and successful.
He expressed delight on the large turnout of party faithful and their peaceful conduct at the congresses.
He said: “I score Ebonyi APC local government congresses so far so good is a huge success.
“We visited five local government areas cutting across the three Senatorial zones as a case study and what we found there was the enthusiasm of the people as a united members of a progressive party to make a change in Ebonyi.
“They were well coordinated and I have not seen it in the history of this country, highly mobilised and ready to take over governance in Ebonyi state for good.
“I equally know with what I have seen that if election is conducted in Ebonyi today that APC will win with about 70 per cent of declared votes.
“I want to thank and commend the APC family and urge them to maintain the peace and unity existing among members.
“We must get it right and we have gotten it right and from here we will move and Ebonyi will produce governor of APC extraction.”
Meanwhile, the state party chairman has applauded members for making the congresses resounding success in the various local governments.
Nwachukwu commended them for their peaceful conduct throughout the exercise, noting that no violence was recorded in any part of the state.
He said that the consensus arrangement freely adopted by stakeholders, leaders and aspirants in their different areas made the congresses largely peaceful, credible and acceptable to all.
“We visited five LGs where we monitored the congresses and observed to our delight very orderly, peaceful and enthusiastic party members who took part in a peaceful LG congress.
“We have laid a foundation for a peaceful transition of power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to an APC government in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.
Dr Paul Okorie, an APC chieftain from Ohaozara local government area of the state, also told newsmen that the exercise was wonderful and very peaceful.
He explained that the successful outcome of the exercise would make those who are still in doubt that Ebonyi APC has become one united family.
Okorie, who once served the state as Commissioner for Works, Transportation and Environment, said that the successful conduct of the congresses would make the party come out stronger and better.
Okorie who is also a governorship aspirant commended the leadership of the party for ensuring peaceful, credible and transparent congresses.
“The exercise has been wonderful and we are happy about it and our consensus arrangement made the exercise devoid of tension and friction, ” he said.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the congresses in Abakaliki, Ishielu, Ohaozara, Ezza South and Onitcha local government areas reported that the exercise was peaceful, transparent and orderly. (NAN)
ODO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Ebonyi Govt to complete female hostel at Enugu NYSC camp

Ebonyi Govt to complete female hostel at Enugu NYSC camp
NAN-HG-10
NYSC
By Emmanuel Acha and Aminat Igiekhume
Enugu, Jan. 18, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has pledged to complete the 500-bed female hostel at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in the state during the 2018 fiscal year.
Ugwuanyi, who made the pledge during the swearing-in ceremony of 2017 Batch ‘B” stream 2 corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu, on Thursday, said he would also complete the renovation of male hostel.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the immediate past administration in the state initiated the construction of a 500-bed capacity female hostel at the camp.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Sports, Mrs Ngozi Ani, the governor assured that allocations to the female hostel and the renovation of the abandoned male hostel had been captured in 2018 budget.
Ugwuanyi also assured corps members that the state government would take steps to address their challenges and needs in the camp.
He urged the corps members to discard prejudices they may harbour about the state, adding that residents of the state are hospitable.
“Enugu State is peaceful and has been declared as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. Her people are hospitable and you are safe in any part of it,” he said.
Ugwuanyi assured that the state stipends of the corps members would be paid promptly, adding “I want to assure you that your stay here will be most rewarding and memorable”.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Ikaka, described the orientation experience as unique, saying it is a programme combined for those deployed to Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
Ikaka said that 1,982 made up of 1,096 for Enugu state, 454 for Anambra and 432 for Ebonyi were participating in the programme.
He said that the corps members while in camp would be given the opportunity to imbibe a sense of duty and responsibility.
The coordinator commended the state government for its support to the NYSC scheme and for welfare of corps members.
“We are very much aware of the limited resources available to the state government. However, we are appealing for your intervention in renovating the dilapidated buildings in the camp,” he said.
Ikaka also appealed to the state government to provide an operational vehicle to facilitate inspection of corps members serving in the state.
He said that the NYSC management in the state was appreciative of the support it receives from the Director-General of the scheme, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure.
“Our D-G has shown solid commitment towards reduction to the barest minimum the perennial water scarcity we experience during orientation courses,” Ikaka said.
Meanwhile, some of the corps members have appealed to the state government to increase their stipends.
A corps member, Ms Chinyere Okafor, expressed her delight at her deployment to Enugu, but said the stipend paid by the state government needed an upward review.
Okafor said that the state government needed to consider the high cost of living including the high cost of accommodation and transportation in the city centres.
NAN reports that corps members serving in the state capital are paid a monthly stipend of N1,000 while those in rural areas receive N4,000 as against the flat rate of N10,000 paid by the last administration.
Mr Ibrahim Abubakar also said he had longed to experience the scheme and had enjoyed his stay in the orientation camp. (NAN)
EOA/AIO/OSA/MST
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Ebonyi community imposes penalty on FGM practice

Ebonyi community imposes penalty on FGM practice
NAN-HG-5
Penalty
By Uchenna Ugwu
Abakaliki, Jan. 3, 2018 (NAN) The traditional rulers council of Agbaja Autonomous Community, Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi, says the Izzi clan had established penalties against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The Chairman of the council, Chief Emmanuel Nwojiji, said the decision was to ensure total compliance, adding that FGM is a practice that ought to be outlawed completely from the society.
Nwojiji made this known on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the functionality of the proscription earlier made by the custodians of culture in the area.
According to him, the penalty includes payment of N50,000 cash and other items.
He said steps had been made to enlighten people in churches, markets and community meetings on the sanctions and laws introduced against the act.
“At Amagu in Izzi, we have made people to know the harmful effects of the cutting and as well educate them that one can still fulfil the rite of womanhood without involving cutting.
“We have also constituted task force members who move from one house to another in ensuring that the act is eliminated in our community,” Nwojiji said.
He added that a seven-man committee was inaugurated to monitor adherence of the people over the prescription earlier made.
NAN also reports that the monitoring committee, which comprised traditional rulers, women leaders, youth leaders, school teachers and religious leaders, among others, will follow-up the proscription.
NAN also gathered that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Fistula Care Plus collaborated with Family Succor and Upliftment Foundation to push for FGM elimination in the community.
The foundation, a pet project of the wife of state governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, organised the meeting to follow-up the public proscription.
The Country Project Manager of USAID, Mr Eyeme Efem, said that the partnering agencies came to ensure that the programmes were well inducted and to ascertain people’s adherence to the law. (NAN)
UVU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Oyegun receives Elechi, 6,000 others into APC in Ebonyi

NAN-H-46
APC
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Nov 17, 2017 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has received former Governor of Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elechi and his wife Mrs Josephine Elechi into the APC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 6,000 other former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including former Deputy National Chairman of the Party, Chief Solomon Onwe joined Elechi in defecting to the APC.

Odigie-Oyegun while receiving the decampees applauded them for choosing to leave their former party to join the APC, saying that APC was known for its adherence to internal democracy and discipline.

He said that APC was in control of 24 States out of the 36 States of the federation and expressed optimism that Anambara would be won by thr APC after the Nov 18 gubernatorial elections.

He said that APC was set to take over the Ebonyi Government House in 2019 and expressed confidence in the ability of the party to wrestle power from the ruling PDP due to the quality and calibre of personalities in the party.

He described Elechi and Onwe as men with great political clout and sagacity, stressing that their entry into the APC would boost the chances of the party in 2019.

“They have not only come; they have not only joined but they have come with a retinue of quality supporters.

“It is my view that with the quality of men and women we are having that Ebonyi APC is finally ready to chase out the PDP from the Government House.

“You are now part of the APC family, we welcome all of you and together we shall match to victory come 2019,” Odigie-Oyegun said.

Elechi in his address said that he defected to the party along side thousands of his supporters due to alleged injustices and lack of internal party democracy in his former party.

He applauded the National chairman of APC for upholding justice and internal party democracy in APC, pledging support and commitment of the decampees to ensure landslide victory for APC in the 2019 general elections.

Elechi, who accused the Gov. Dave Umahi’s PDP led government of insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary Ebonyi citizens, said that APC government would right the wrongs and restore value to governance in the state.

He critised the Umahi administration for its intolerance to credible opposition views, attack on press freedom, crippling the economy with needless loans and penchant for abandoning existing projects in preference for unrealizable elephant projects.

“The change we all clamour for is finally here with us; we are heralding the dawn of a new era in the Ebonyi body polity.

“The APC has come to salvage the decaying political values caused by the mis-governance of one man who has lost focus of what political leadership and governance entails.

“A man who prefers to embark on unrealizable elephant projects that have no direct bearing on the lives of the people.

“We built an international market with about 8,000 lock-up shops which is still not given out to the market men and women who need these shops and our Governor embarked on construction of shopping mall.

“The Governor abandoned Oferekpe gigantic water scheme and we hear that he is now embarking on construction of tunnel while our children are out of school due to the inability of parents to pay their school fees and pensioners being owed months of arrears, ” Elechi said.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s fight against armed insurgency, corruption and driving the country out of economic recession.

In his address, the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, described the defection of Elechi and his supporters as historic.

Onu, while congratulating the decampees for their decision explained that the party members were happy to welcome them into the fold.

He said: “You deserve the best, the best is for you. We welcome you into the family where you rightly belonged.

“Nigeria is on a journey to greatness to assert her importance among the comity of nations.

“I urge all Nigerians and Ebonyi people to continue to support the administration of President Buhari.

“I commend you for choosing not only to identify with the change revolution but also to participate through your defection in causing the change to happen,” Onu said.

Earlier, the APC Acting chairman in the state, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, welcomed the party’s National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), saying that the visit would strengthen the party ahead of 2019 elections.

He said that the State chapter had laid to rest the crisis that engulfed the party and was united as one indivisible family now.

He described the defection of Elechi and his supporters into APC as further confirmation that Ebonyi is an APC state, adding that the party had become more strengthened and repositioned.

Nwachukwu reaffirmed the support of the APC in Ebonyi to the second term reelection of Buhari, maintaining that members would throw their weight behind the project.

“We are happy to receive your Excellency, our indifaguable National chairman and your team to Ebonyi.

“The galaxy of people including the former Governor of the state you are receiving and welcoming into our great party is clear testimony that Ebonyi is APC and that we are ready to take over the Ebonyi sit of power.

“We support your leadership of our great party and are pledging our unalloyed loyalty to your leadership.

“We also reaffirm our support to the 2019 reelection of Mr President, the leader of our party and we appeal to him to present himself for reelection,” Nwachukwu said.

NAN reports that decampees included Chief Edward Nkwoagu, Labour Party 2015 governorship candidate, some former Senators, former House of Representatives members, Commissioners, Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries and local government chairmen who served under Elechi. (NAN)
ODO/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Health

Ebonyi traditional rulers terminate law to end FGM prevalence

Ebonyi traditional rulers terminate law to end FGM prevalence

NAN-H-5

Mutilation

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abalkaliki, June 21, 2017 (NAN) The Traditional Rulers of Izzi clan in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi have resolved to end the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice in the state.

 

The Chief Custodian, Mr Nkwuda Nshii of Amegu Autonomous Community and his counterparts, made this known during a Public Declaration of Abandonment of FGM in Izzi clan.

The Izzi clan in Amegu, Abakaliki, on Wednesday agreed to banish some traditional laws which have been encouraging FGM practice in the area.

They noted that other areas with high FGM prevalence include Ohaukwu, Afikpo North and Ohaozara local governments.

The custodians of Izzi culture said that they took the decision based on enlightenment they received on the health implications of the practice on women and girls.

The traditional rulers in partnership with Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, a pet project of the governor’s wife, Mrs Racheal Umahi, were targeting similar declaration to end the act in the entire state.

They stated that the rite been an aged long practice in Izzi land had caused much health hazards on girls and women, urging the people to stop the practice henceforth.

“We, the Ishiukes have publicly declared that nobody or law in Izzi clan will indict any one for not performing the practice as a rite of passage to womanhood.

“Henceforth, church wedding stands as the only rite of passage to womanhood for Christians while those who believe in culture and tradition are free to perform every other aspect of rite of passage, if they wish but not to mutilate.

“Therefore, it stands that we have today expunged and outlawed the practice of FGM from the culture of Izzi clan and mandated traditional rulers to publicise it in their individual domains,” they declared.

Mrs Umahi said that the decision of the traditional rulers had convinced her over their total support in her campaign to end the practice in the state.

“Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation is seriously working with other clans and local governments to make and implement similar declarations to end FGM.

“We are targeting similar programme for Ohaukwu, Afikpo North and Ohaozara council areas where the prevalence is high.

“I thank the Ishiukes, traditional rulers and the leadership of town unions of Izzi land for their support to end the trend,” she said.

She commended the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other agencies which are collaborating with her project in facilitating the campaign against FGM and other harmful practices.

The Chief Medical Director, National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Dr Sunday Adeoye, said that there is no single benefit in the practice irrespective of the belief attached to it.

On their part, Director of the foundation, Mr Chukwuma Elom, representative of UNICEF, Mr Amose Kudzala, and representative of USAID, Mr Iyeme Efem, pledged to ensure that the menace is completely eradicated.

They urged the wife of the governor not to relent in her effort in combating the practice which had spoken volume of her.

“This is impressive to see the traditional rulers on their feet to ensure the eradication of the practice,’’ they said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured presentation of N165 million cheque for sustenance and empowerment of repaired Vasico Virgina Fistula (VVF) patients. (NAN)

UVU/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FGM: Monarch drums support for Ebonyi Gov’s wife campaign

FGM: Monarch drums support for Ebonyi Gov’s wife campaign

NAN-HG-2

Mutilation

Ishiagu (Ebonyi), June 20, 2017 (NAN) A traditional ruler, Ezego Moses Okafor-Ngele, has called on Nigerians to support the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Okafor-Ngele, traditional ruler of Ishiagu autonomous community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, made the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ishiagu.

He lauded the efforts of the wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi, to end the practice of FGM in the state.

The traditional ruler, who decried the age long harmful practice, said it was time Nigerians and the entire communities in Ebonyi joined hands with wife of the governor to end the obnoxious practice.

Okafor-Ngele who noted that the traditional institutions in the state had a great role to play in the war against female genital cutting, also appealed to traditional rulers, community/village heads and other recognised traditional authorities to support the crusade.

He said that so many innocent lives had been lost through bleeding and infection, while many victims of the ugly practice had been subjected to permanent pains, misery and fistula related ailments due to the harmful practice.

Okafor-Ngele said that the practice had been drastically reduced in some communities due to the untiring efforts of the Mrs Umahi in raising public awareness, especially rural women, on the inherent dangers in female circumcision.

The monarch however said that the occurrence of the practice was still endemic in some rural communities in the state.

While describing the current action of Umahi against the practice as “commendable’’, he promised to replicate the campaign in his domain.

“The current sensitisation campaign aimed at getting communities to officially abandon the practice of female genital mutilation by the wife of the governor is a good development and highly commendable.

“The practice has resulted to many untimely deaths, fistula ailments and even problem of child birth to victims of this heinous practice.

“Traditional rulers as custodians of the people’s culture, tradition and customs have a very important role to play in this regard; hence I am calling on my colleagues to join hands with Her Excellency to achieve 100 per cent success in this fight.

“We must encourage our subjects to abandon this harmful practice, openly denounce the practice and abolish the tradition where it still exists,’’ Okafor-Ngele urged.

He called for the sustenance of the ongoing campaign and enforcement of the state law against those caught indulging in the exercise. (NAN)

ODO/ORO/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola