Abandoned Day-Old Baby Recovered In Anambra Community

A one-day-old infant, abandoned at Ozalla village, Isuofia in Aguata local government area of Anambra state, has been safely recovered.

According to a statement issued by the Anambra state police command through its public relations officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, the baby was brought to the Isuofia police station by a woman who found it at her doorstep on August 13.

The statements read in parts: “On August 13, 2020 at about 9:20am, Miss Ginika Okoromike of Ozalla village isuofia reported at Aguata police station in company of a staff attached to Ozalla-Isuofia community Health Centre, that on the same date at about 6:am, a day old baby girl was wrapped up in a cloth and abandoned at the corridor of her house by unknown person. All efforts made to trace the mother of the baby proved abortive.


According to Mohammed, the recovered baby was in good health condition and would be “handed over to the social welfare for proper care while effort was ongoing to trace the parent in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident please.”

https://orientdailynews.com/ge....opolis/anambra/aband

 

orientdailynews.com

Abandoned day-old baby recovered in Anambra community - Orient Daily News

A one-day-old infant, abandoned at Ozalla village, Isuofia in Aguata local government area of Anambra state, has been safely recovered. According to a statement issued by the Anambra state police command through its public relations officer, SP Harun

Man, 68, Rapes Minor In Delta

Operatives of the Ughelli North vigilante group in Delta state, on Wednesday evening, arrested a 68-year-old farmer for allegedly raping two minors in the presence of their father.

Delta state police commissioner, Hafiz Muhammed Inuwah, who confirmed this to journalists in Asaba Thursday, identified the suspect as Isaac Friday who, in collusion with three others now on the run, allegedly raped the two minors in the presence of their father whom they dispossessed of the sum of N280,000 at gunpoint, He added that the suspect was being detained at the ‘A’ Division Police station in Ughelli North local government area for further investigation.

Sources said that the robbed father had been returning with his daughters from a burial ceremony where he was given the money as the family’s share of the burial of a prominent chief who died in the area.

A vigilante officer who gave his name as Gabriel ( surname withheld) who also confirmed the incident said that the hoodlums allegedly raped the victims after entertaining themselves with food and alcohol drinks the man and the children were going home with, adding that “the suspects were armed with locally cut to size guns. They ordered them into the bush, raped the two minors while their father was tied to the stick with guns pointed at him. The suspects also took phones from them.”

Their father, Mr Edwin Adjekeh who spoke to journalists in the area said “At gunpoint the suspects demanded the money N280,000 for the family. They later turned to my children who were just 14 and 15 and started raping them in my presence. They ate the food and took the drinks were carrying before they ran into the bush. I immediately alerted the vigilante group members who chased them. Unfortunately, three escaped and one was arrested on the spot and was later handed over to the police.”

https://orientdailynews.com/cr....ime/man-68-rapes-min

 

orientdailynews.com

Man, 68, rapes minor in Delta - Orient Daily News

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Operatives of the Ughelli North vigilante group in Delta state, on Wednesday evening, arrested a 68-year-old farmer for allegedly raping two minors in the presence of their father. Delta state police commissioner, Hafiz Muhamme

Mixed Reactions Trail Anambra Igwe Suspensions

Reaction now trail the suspension of 12 traditional rulers in Anambra state, following the charge unlawful travel to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja without consultation clearance with the state government.

The state government, had, in a circular placed one-year suspension on the affected traditional rulers. The circular, titled “Suspension of Twelve (12) Traditional Rulers in Anambra State,” and dated Tuesday August 11, 2020, was signed by the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and community affairs, Mr. Greg Obi.


The affected traditional rulers include Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam and Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle.

Others are Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.

Reacting to the development, the exiled traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Dr Chukwemeka Ilounoegbunam, described the incident as unfortunate, wondering the gut with which people insult traditional rulers. “People are accusing the governor whose signature appears nowhere. What reports say is that traditional rulers wanted to see the president, but were prevented.

“The question is, how did they know what the traditional rulers wanted to say to the president and who gave them the information since we had not even talked. You now see the politics in it.”

When asked if the traditional rulers council forbade traditional rulers from travelling outside the state, he said, “It is not true. As we speak, there are many traditional rulers living in Abuja, Lagos and outside the country. The fact is that we should be seen to be residing in our communities, which doesn’t mean you should sit down and fold arms like a statue in your community.

“They have to feed their families and those with businesses have to do them because the government doesn’t give them a living wage. If it is established that they are not given a living wage, for example, but only the monthly N175, 000.

“I have left my medical practice to serve my people. I welcome visitors from all over the world, while also providing kola nuts as custom demands. Check how much this costs and the balance you will be left with to feed your family.

“Government knows that we must go around to do business because they don’t even give us any maintenance allowance. The traditional rulers have to travel to places to ensure they live, if that is permitted, why are you saying they must get permission every time they go out when you know the whole issues with protocols, bureaucracy. So, if you have emergency business dealings, what do you do?”.

Igwe Ilounoegbunam, then, criticised the law purported to have guided the state government’s decision, saying that it was unfounded and unenforceable. “There is no such law prohibiting traditional rulers from travelling. “I call on my subjects to be calm because we are the victims in this battle but we have committed no crime. God, in his own time, will restore sanity and you will see us smiling again. We are law-abiding citizens.

“The state government has just taken their certificate, that doesn’t mean you cease being the traditional ruler. The community selected you and crowned you and not the government.

“After all, some are given certificates years after their enthronement. That is why I said everyone should keep calm. A mistake has been made somewhere and it will be corrected”, he said.

Also speaking, a human rights activist and public affairs analyst, Comrade Ifunanya Nze, posited that what the government did was in order and very correct. “The suspension of the monarchs is in order. The government went through the rules and regulations guiding the traditional rulers. We should not politicise everything. If anybody violates the law of the land, let the law take its course.

“And mind you the government did not just suspend them; it went through the traditional rulers’ council and it was based on their advice and recommendations. The institutions, including traditional and religious, are all under the government. The suspension will bring sanity to the institution”, he added.

Another legal expert and journalist, Mr. Tony Uche Okafor, said the suspension was ill-advised, and negated the fundamental rights of citizens for freedom of movement and association. He said, “Besides, when someone commits an offence, it is natural and morally correct for you to ask him his own side of story before you punish him.

“All these processes were not taken and, for me, the government was despotic and autocratic in taking such action. If I were the traditional rulers, I will contest it in court. That is not the character of democracy”.

Contacted, the commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said the reason for their suspension of the traditional rulers was a decision of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, noting that the state government was only implementing the decision. “Again, there is a directive that no traditional ruler anywhere in Nigeria can leave his tent without clearance. So, why did they go to Abuja in the first place? In what capacity did they go; as officials of the council which they are not? Were they given the mandate to go represent the traditional rulers’ council?

“Let me tell you, some communities have not had traditional rulers for 30 years as we are talking. Have they died? Let’s be more logical. All this childish, puerile sentiments are just silly. What they did is evil and no level of settlement will pacify the people of Anambra state on this matter”.

Asked if the decision was politically motivated, Adinuba added, “No, the traditional rulers disgraced the people of Anambra state. Did you see the type of money they were sharing? If any of them remains (your) traditional ruler, will you be proud to see him in that silly drama?

On Governor Willie Obiano’s birthday, about two of them called him to claim they had gone there as spies. Those were their words. Why will a traditional ruler call himself a spy or stoop so low? They have degraded their stool, their community and the people of Anambra state”.

This reporter also contacted Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam and Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, but both declined comments on the suspension for now.

For his part, the traditional ruler of Nawfia, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, called on his subjects to remain calm and not to go violent as a result of the suspension.

He said, “The state government has to look at the Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that guarantees the freedom of movement. The only person that can restrict your movement is the court of competent jurisdiction.

“So, visiting the president without knowing our reasons and, even when they know, it is our right to do so. Therefore, the law of 1981 is a nullity when it comes to the constitution. That’s all I can say.”

Orient Weekend further reports that the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, had strongly condemned the traditional rulers’ trip, undertaken without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, noting that it violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office.

The commissioner explained that the suspension of the monarchs followed the recommendation of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka on Tuesday.

Commissioner Greg Obi had, in the circular, indicated that “the affected traditional rulers were “lured to Abuja by a controversial billionaire on a chest-thumping mission to demonstrate his ambition to turn Anambra state into his private fiefdom,” adding that “the suspension may be lifted at the end of one year, renewed or upgraded in the intervening period depending on government’s review of the conduct of the errant royal fathers.” He characterised their action as “leaving their respective domains without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, the traditional rulers” which “had violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office.”

It will be recalled that the traditional ruler of Ukwulu community in Dunukofia local government of the state, Igwe Peter Uyanwa was, on July 24, issued a 12-month suspension by the state government over alleged security reports and petitions against him by some of his subjects.

https://orientdailynews.com/ge....opolis/anambra/mixed

 

orientdailynews.com

Mixed reactions trail Anambra Igwe suspensions - Orient Daily News

By Gabriel Chy Alonta Reaction now trail the suspension of 12 traditional rulers in Anambra state, following the charge unlawful travel to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja without consultation clearance with the state government. The state govern

Buhari Finally Receives Anambra Monarchs At Presidential Villa, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday played host to some traditional rulers from Anambra state, slammed one year suspension by the state government for alleged misconduct.

The monarchs, led to the Presidential Villa by the billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, were received by Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who thanked them for coming.

The 12 traveling monarchs that included HRM Eze Dr Nkeli Nzekwe, HRM Igwe Chuba Mbakwe, HRM Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, HRH Igwe Anthony Onwekwelu, and HRH Igwe Chukwuma Bobo Orji, disclosed that the purpose of their visit was to thank President Buhari for his administration’s development strides in the South East and pledge their loyalty to him as well as plead for more.
Reacting to the development, the suspended traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Dr. Chukwemeka Ilounoegbunam, described the incident as unfortunate, bewildering and an insult to the traditional institution. He argues: “Government knows that we must go around to do business because they don’t even give us any maintenance allowance. The traditional rulers have to travel to places to ensure they live, if that is permitted, why are you saying they must get permission every time they go out when you know the whole issues with protocols, bureaucracy. So, if you have emergency business dealings, what do you do?”.

“There is no such law prohibiting traditional rulers from travelling”, he stressed while appealing to his subjects to remain calm, insisting “we have committed no crime.”

On the way forward, Igwe Ilounoegbunam sounded optimistic that the pendulum of victory will swing in their direction. “God in his own time will restore sanity, and you will see us smiling again. We are law abiding abiding citizens. The state government has just taken their certificate, that doesn’t mean you cease being the traditional ruler. The community selected you and crowned you and not the government.

“After all, some are given certificates years after their enthronement, so, their certificate just mean government will not do business with you. It doesn’t mean that the community won’t do business with you. That is why I said everyone should keep calm, a mistake has been made somewhere and it will be corrected”, he said.

For his part, the traditional ruler of Nawfia, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, argued that “the state government has to look at the Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that guarantees the freedom of movement that cannot be restricted. The only person that can restrict your movement is the court of competent jurisdiction.

“So, visiting the president without knowing our reasons, and even when they know it is our right to do so, therefore, the law of 1981 is in nullity when it comes to the constitution,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, had dismissed speculations that state government was witch-hunting the monarchs, disclosing that their suspension was purely a decision of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.

He said: “There is a directive that no traditional ruler anywhere in Nigeria can leave his tent without clearance. So, why did they go to Abuja in the first place? In what capacity did they went, as officials of the council for which they are not? Were they given the mandate to go represent the traditional rulers council?

According to Adinuba the conduct of the affected traditional rulers was a disgrace to the people of Anambra state. “Did you see the type of money they were sharing. If any of them remain traditional ruler, will you be proud to see him in that silly drama? All this childish, puerile and sentiments are just silly. What they did is evil and no level of settlement will pacify the people of Anambra state on this matter”.

The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, also condemned their trip without notifying either the state or their respective local governments, noting that it violated the code of conduct prescribed for their office.


According to an official statement released by the Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the embattled traditional rulers listed the landmark projects embarked upon by President Buhari in their region to include “the Second Niger Bridge, that had been presented as an impossible task by previous administrations, but now becoming a reality under your keen watch,” the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, among others.

“The people of the South East are, indeed, grateful, as we have never had it so good, and on their behalf, we say DAALU (thank you),” the royal fathers were quoted as saying.

They also hailed President Buhari for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in government and declared that as custodians of the heritage of the people, they felt it was incumbent on them to “come and express our appreciation on behalf of the entire people of the area, and to urge Your Excellency to do more for the Zone.”

Gambari who welcomed them to the seat of power, however stressed that their controversial visit would encourage President Buhari to do even more for the south east region and the country as a whole. “As it is generally said in most parts of the country, when you thank somebody for what he has done, he is encouraged, and does more. This is an incentive for the President to do more for the country, and also for the South East,” Professor Gambari said.

Meanwhile, reports monitored by Orient Daily indicates that Prince Arthur Eze had rewarded the 12 traditional rulers from Anambra state that accompanied him to visit the presidency with a brand new Lexus -LX570 each. The exotic car gift came barely 48 hours after the monarchs were suspended by the state government for the Abuja trip.

Anambra government, had, in a circular titled “Suspension of Twelve (12) Traditional Rulers in Anambra State,” dated Tuesday August 11, 2020 and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Greg Obi, accused the monarchs of unlawful travel outside the state without due consultation.

The affected traditional rulers include, Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam and Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle.

Others are, Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simeon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr Chukwuemeka Ilounoegbunam of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.

https://orientdailynews.com/ge....opolis/anambra/buhar

 

orientdailynews.com

Buhari Finally Receives Anambra Monarchs at Presidential Villa, Abuja - Orient Daily News

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday played host to some traditional rulers from Anambra state, slammed one year suspension by the state government for alleged misconduct. The monarchs, led to the Presidential Villa by the billionaire oil magnate,

*The Awakening Instagram Contest for the month of August is here !!*

Do you want to win cash prizes this August? If yes, then participate in the contest.

The process is simple, creative and captivating.

Upload an audio or video related to the theme; spoken word, poetry, speech, drama, rap, skit, music etc,

August Theme, “Increasing Youths Participation In Agriculture”

Very important: The presentation must be made by you.

Tag @theawakeningp in your upload and use #youthsparticipationinagriculture

A review will be made before a repost on @theawakeningp page.

People will LIKE to vote.
The post with the most votes wins.

NB: we will only count votes from people following us, so ask your supporters to follow and LIKE.
Your upload should be between 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Entry deadline is 24th August. Voting begins after that.

GOODLUCK!!

*Comments and Calls from #theawakeningp on 12th august*

Caller1:If I want to go into agriculture which loan should I go for. What advice do you have for someone who wants to go agriculture and wants to go for a loan?

Mr.Alex: There is a disparity here, As a beginner in the field of agriculture you don’t even need a loan to start. Fundamentally you need loan but based on climate you are actually putting yourself into a long term liability struggle that is going to come after it because you are not even sure of the climate, you are not even sure of what your output will be like. Once in a while government will introduce some grants, some loan schemes and when they do then you can cue in because they are the one that took a step at first. But you cannot just as a beginner ,as a wanna-be, who hasn’t done anything in agriculture approach Bank of Agriculture for loan.

Caller2: My dad has been into local farming for years now with 15 plots of land. He is mainly into planting of yam but it seems not be yielding to any benefit for years now. Please what would be your advice to him?

Mr.Alex: There is a reason why the business is not working, he should find that reason and solve it, then you will start making good profit.
In the other hand the Reason might be geographical, in Agric you talk about yield, If he doesn’t have access to fertilizer and the kind of soil where he is farming is not helping the strength of the yield. Then not much we can do about that,He can just use the 15 plots of land for something else otherwise he will be stock in that struggle.

Lyrics: It is not everything that we are passionate about that we should do till we die. At some point you should be able to tell yourself “yam is not working lets try something else”.

The price of success...

#paytheprice

Lyrics: What do you think our problem is with Agricultural Value chain?.

Mr.Uka: First of all the Agricultural Sector is highly deglorified.Lets not even talk about the fundamental problems we have in regards to Social Amenities, Availability of infrastructures that is required for businesses to grow normally.
There are areas where we are having problems and as long as those problems remains unsolved it will be difficult to get young people involved in agriculture and the more we are not getting young people involved in agriculture the more complex our problem gets. It means that an entire generation is going to be lost, so not getting involved in agric you don’t want to know the amount of setback that is. You have a culture coming from one generation to another and in an entire generation that culture suspends. That means the following generation is going to find it more difficult to get in.Infact that is part of what we already have happening now. One of the Major problems we are facing just as Mr. Chima stated previous is Basic Knowledge of Agriculture in our Schools. If you check the primary School text book with secondary school Agricultural Text book its all saying same thing. What is been thought in schools is different from what we have in reality

Lyrics: Let talk Evolution a little bit. I think we have evolved. We have a generation now who are more into follow “wetin oyibo dey do” and to the best of their own knowledge “Oyibo no dey farm”.

Mr.Uka: You said to the best of their own knowledge baa. That’s to show you that the Knowledge is faulty because they are not informed.Oyibo dey farm big time mehn.the amount of energy and resources that go into farming on the oyibo side would make young person here in Nigeria say that “this is an oil well. And this because he does not know that if people come together pull resources together to go into this agriculture that we are despising here he will get tons of money from it. That re-establishes the point I am trying to make. The point I am trying to make is the problem first of all is Lack of knowledge, there is too much ignorance about the subject matter as far an average Nigerian youth is concerned.

Lyrics:What would be your advice to someone who has 3 million for example, looking for a way to invest it?.

Mr.Alex:When the guy is thinking that he has 3 million for instance and doesn’t want to go and farm.the guy doesn’t know what farming because if he does he would borrow more 3 million and invest into farming. This where is issue starts, Agriculture is badly branded in Nigeria as per say. There is a big prospection problem with that sector. And we cure that Perspection Problem Alone.

Lyrics: So how do we cure it?

Mr Alex: For instance we are having this conversation. There’s a lot that the civil society need to do .By doing Massive Orientation by the Government.For example there is an agency in government by name National Orientation Agency(NAO).

Lyrics:The Orientation Agency I think they are doing very well but the Orientation wey them dey give and the orientation wey we dey get no be same thing. In the sense that wetin dem dey give us no be wetin we need.

Mr.Alex: If they are not giving you what you need that means they don’t have communication capacities which isn’t a good quality at all.Ability to reach the people with messages that is designed to achieve certain results. So if they are not able to speak in a language that you cant understand are they Ghanian Agency?or America Agency?.if they are Nigerian Agency that they should be able to speak in the language that an average Nigerian will be able to understand.

Firstly,We have to speak the language that people will be able to understand.

Secondly, we need to create and ecosystem that makes it possible for youths to know not just how harvest but also how to take to places where needed.
As long as Oil and politics are the highest paying ventures in this country, what are you going to tell the Average Youth?.He will rather go for thuggery rather than farming.
Female :With Agriculture itself not doing well would you still advice a young person to go into other Value Chains in Agriculture like Beef Packaging,Marketing.Etc

Mr.Alex: There is an aspect of this value chain that is highly neglected and that is the processing and packaging aspect of it.Because whether we like it or not there are Big Players in Agriculture. For example Obasanjo that has the biggest Water farm in West Africa .
When we export raw material what end up exporting is job Opportunities. In UK for instance as of the last time I checked they consume 6 million bottles of cashew daily. And some other countries like USA. CANADA, United Fly Emirates. And they don’t grow cashews. All the cashews they consume are exported in there. They come here to buy and they have given us that very mindset of selling raw materials to them, mindset that we are the growers. These people are taking us technically Backward and we have accepting due to ignorance and lack of exposures. For instance if you open a cashew Factory here in Nigeria. You have created job opportunity for some youths in Nigeria.The Driver who supplies the cashew ,Factory Worker in different Units. The Graphics designer who will design the logo for the industry.Etc

This is week 2 and we are exploring the opportunities for youths in the agricultural value chain. Nigeria is blessed with arable land and which has spread across the country this includes 3.14 million hectares of land, The country has weather conditions that favor all the year for planting. Undoubtably agriculture is Nigeria single largest economic sector, the sector contributes 25% of Nigeria GDP and account for about 48% of Nigeria’s labour.

The potentials of agriculture in Nigeria has not been fully exploited as there is still a huge demand gap between the supply of agricultural produce and industrial activities.

Another Promising sector of Nigeria Agricultural sector is that opportunities are bound across the various value chains ,this opportunities raised from mechanized food production and preservation ,beef processing and packaging, processing of cash crops, commodity trading and transportation, market research ,production of feeds and vaccines and development of irrigation facilities in ensuring that significant number of young persons in Nigeria who are currently without Employment become there is a need to explode various of opportunities that exists between the country’s agricultural value chain.

We are going to be discussing the opportunities for youths Agricultural Value chain.

And to discuss this we have here our Guest “Mr. Alex Kaduna” ,He is a HR Expert and Entrepreneur and also "Mr. Uka Francis" Chattered Administrator Recruitment and Training Consultant