The Southeast Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to take urgent steps to call to order, policemen deployed to enforce the ban on interstate travels at the borders in the southeast region. They are accusing the Policemen of collecting huge amounts of money to allow movements at the borders, thereby sabotaging efforts by the government at various levels to curb the spread of the virus. The call is coming on the heels of numerous allegations of bribery and corruption against the border policemen which have gone unheeded. In a letter to the…
Author: Elochukwu Benjamin
Despite all efforts by governments at various levels towards handling the coronavirus pandemic, a Professor of Alternative Medicine, Peter Katchy believes little result has been achieved because the Nigerian government was not prepared for the emergency. Katchy was speaking with TNC correspondent in Awka, on the development and efforts by the government to curtail the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has continued to rise across the country with the death toll presently at 150 in less than two months. This is coming against the backdrop of a series of lockdown directives by both the Federal…
A multiple Road Traffic Crash involving Seven vehicles on Monday along Obosi-Nkpor road has resulted in the death of a woman while four others sustained injuries of varying degrees. Among the vehicles involved Mack (Tanker) conveying cooking gas, with registration number AKD246XV, a Mitsubishi Diana with registration number GDD259ZE, a Toyota Pickup registration number NEN402ZD and a Mercedes Benz Truck with no visible registration number, belonging to Rico Pharmacy Industries Ltd. Others are a Tricycle, a Toyota Camry and a Scania Truck. According to eyewitnesses, the crash which occurred at about 11.51am when the Mercedes Benz Truck lost its brakes…
A Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to assist in the free movement of food and farm inputs across Anambra State, especially during the COVID-19 period, has been inaugurated in Awka, the State capital. The Joint Technical Task Team is saddled with the responsibility of collaborating with relevant agencies in the State and Local Government Areas to develop a mechanism that will facilitate the free and unhindered movement of food, livestock and agricultural inputs without compromising the security and health of people of the state and the nation. The Task Team has as its Chairman, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr.…
The five governors in the South-East geopolitical zone have been given a 14-day ultimatum to set up Covid-19 testing centres in their respective States that will allow for massive testing of their citizens. Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE), issued the ultimatum Monday, during a briefing in Enugu State. According to the group, if the Governors remain adamant after the expiration of 14 days, they would be compelled to mobilize members of the human right community in the zone to protest the insensitivity and gross neglect of the people’s health. The chairman of Board of Trustees, Dede…
The suspension of this year’s Egwu Imo Awka by Anambra State Government has been greeted with approval by some non-indigenes of Awka, Anambra State Capital. The state government had in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu on Sunday, banned the Imo Awka Festival, an annual cultural celebration by indigenes of Awka. The statement had said the suspension was taking into cognizance, the prevailing federal government curfew order, the state government’s order on public gatherings, World Health Organisation (WHO), and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines on preventing the spread of Covid-19. “The…
Rivers State Government has announced the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas for two days only, with effect from Tuesday 12th May 2020. Governor Nyesom Wike announced this in a State-Wide broadcast on Sunday night. He said that the total lockdown will be lifted on Tuesday 12th May, 2020 and Wednesday, 13th May, 2020. Governor Wike said the lockdown will be reinstated on Thursday, 14th May, 2020. “We have given due consideration to the propositions on the way forward by well-meaning citizens of the State, and after a cautious review of the…
Anambra State Government has received 1,800 bags (50kg) of rice and 2,400 cartons of tinned tomatoes from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The items which came in today is part of Federal Government’s palliative to Anambra residents to cushion the effects of the lockdown and consequent economic hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during the exercise, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouk represented by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Human Services, Mr Charles Nwanelo, said the gesture is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s directive to provide welfare packages for vulnerable…
Anambra State Police Command says it has arrested a 28-year-old man for allegedly raping a 36-year-old woman with the aid of an improvised gun. The suspect, Emeka Okeke alias ‘Aso rock’, had earlier this week, with a toy gun, threatened his victim to submit to his sexual demands or he would shoot her to death. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed said the suspect is a notorious offender who recently returned from the correctional centre Awka over an alleged case of manslaughter. According to the statement, “On the 7th of May, 2020, a 36…
100 beds, 100 Units of Foam, pillows, mattresses, fridges, bedsheets, were among the numerous items recently donated to Umueri General Hospital by Fidelity Bank PLC through the intervention of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State. Umueri General Hospital, the first General Hospital built through communal effort in Umueri, had hitherto been lying in ruins as a result of the inter-communal crisis of 1995 and 1999 in the area. Governor Willie Obiano in his speech while on an inspection tour of the facility, thanked the management of Fidelity Bank PLC for fulfilling their promise. He also disclosed that the Bank was…
In furtherance of government directive on the use of face mask by the citizenry, the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano has launched Operation Wear Your Face Mask to promote public adherence to the use of the mask as a protection against the Coronavirus pandemic. Mrs Obiano performed the launch at Aguleri, supported by the leadership of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Women Wing. It is expected that the ASATU women representing the 181 communities of Anambra state, will carry the gospel to their various communities across the State. Addressing the select group…
Anambra State Government says it has waded into the communal clash between Omor and Umumbo communities in Ayamelum council area to avert further bloodletting and destruction of property. As at Wednesday, the death toll from the conflict between people of both Communities had risen to 7 with security agents deployed to maintain peace and order. In a statement Thursday, on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment C-Don Adinuba, Said the conflict negates the strenuous efforts of the state government in making the state not only safe and secure but also socially harmonious. “Anambra State…
A fatal crash between two motorcyclists has resulted in the death of one person and injury to the other on Niger Bridge, Onitsha. The incident happened Wednesday evening along the pedestrian lane on the bridge. The bridge was blocked by security agencies enforcing the lockdown and the commercial motorcyclists had resorted to using the pedestrian lane to do brisk business crossing people from both sides. According to an eye witness, the two motorcyclists had collided face to face while negotiating past each other on high speed. He revealed that one of the victims was taken to an unknown medical facility…
No fewer than 7 persons have been allegedly killed, many others injured and houses torched in a clash between Umumbo and Omor Communities in Ayamelum Council Area of Anambra State. The clash TNC gathered, was as a result of a dispute between both communities as to who will cultivate on a particular expanse of land known as ‘E7’. The land at ‘E7’ was said to have been jointly donated by both communities, for the Defunct Lower Anambra Irrigation Authority to develop for Agricultural purposes and part of compensations paid to the communities. Investigations reveal that farmers from both communities pay…
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has announced a 24-hour total lockdown and a dusk to dawn curfew in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas as part of the State Government’s measures to check the spread of coronavirus. In a broadcast earlier in the week, Governor Wike said the lockdown is until further notice. He said on no account should there be any vehicular movements or gathering of more than two persons in these Local Government Areas, except those on essential services with appropriate authorization. “All shops, trading or business activities, including currency exchange, in these Local Government Areas must…
As parts of efforts to cushion the harsh effects of the lockdown on citizens of the state, the Anambra State Chapter of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), over the weekend distributed palliatives to women in rural parts of the state. The exercise which took the State FIDA team led by the Chairperson, Professor Ogugua Ikpeze to Umueri Community in Anambra East LGA and Ogidi in Idemili North LGA, also witnessed awareness talks on the Coronavirus. From Umuopu village, Umueri to Ajilija village, Ogidi, the story was the same as over 200 rural women got the palliatives which included…
A security guard attached to Coca-cola market, Onitsha has stabbed a 22-year-old boy to death. The incident happened today in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Southeast zone. The suspect, identified as Ibuchi Nwoju aged 26, from Asa village, Abia State, was said to have stabbed the victim, one Cletus Chisom of Ekekwe street, Agada layout, Obosi, in Idemili LGA, on the chest, following an altercation. The victim it was gathered, had become unconscious following the huge loss of blood and was rushed to a nearby Goodnews Hospital, Onitsha. He was however confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital by…
As World Press Freedom Day is celebrated globally, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra state chapter has berated officials of the state government for deliberately keeping citizens of the state in the dark by denying journalists access to information vital for the wellbeing of citizens. This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the NUJ state chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ifesinachi and the secretary, Mr Emma Udeagha during the occasion to mark the 2020 World Press Freedom Day, (WPFD) in the state. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on the 3rd of May every year, to raise awareness on…
A young man in his early thirties, Aaron Nnamdi has died in a fatal road accident along Onitsha-Nteje Expressway. The late Nnamdi died at about 2 am Saturday in a head-on collision while driving back from an undisclosed journey in his Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number, GGE339FU. According to a report from the Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra state, Pascal Anigbo, the accident involved the victim’s car and a Mercedes Benz 911 with registration number, XA588ENU driven by one Mr. Tony Nwawoukwu. He attributed the cause of the crash to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking, revealing…
Federal and State Government should make family planning an integral part of COVID19 sensitization, to help minimize the negative post-pandemic economic effects. Economists have predicted very negative fortunes for the global economy as the lockdown initiated to check the spread of the virus, has crippled many economies especially the mono-product ones like Nigeria. Since the lockdown, statistics has been a spate in the incidence of pregnancies, as couples are confined to their homes. This development, if unchecked, may worsen the threat of population explosion which Nigeria is already facing, the Anambra State Coordinator, Family Planning, Barr. Stella Ekweozor said. According…
In its bid to strengthen the enforcement of closure of its borders, Anambra State Government has deployed all its appointees and youth leaders in the state to complement efforts by the security agencies. It is coming on the heels of allegations that security agents deployed at the state borders are endangering the lives of residents of the state, as they collect money to allow movements into the state. The new initiative is aimed at supporting existing efforts of the Police and other agencies and not to replace it. It also became imperative due to the porous and informal nature of…
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, John Abang has debunked an online report claiming that he withdrew the Police orderly attached to a Judge in the state for awarding damages to the tune of twenty-five million naira against the Police. Justice T. U. Oguji had delivered the judgment on Monday 27th of April, 2020 and awarded the sum of N25 million as damages in favour of an Onitsha based lawyer, Ogbonaya Jacob Obasi for the assault on him by the Police. In the judgement delivered in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the applicant, with the SUIT NO: O/…
Family members of another suspected case of COVID-19 have cried out for help at Aviation quarters within Kano metropolis. The outcry is coming two weeks after the suspected case was allegedly ignored by health workers despite several attempts to ascertain they are his Coronavirus status. The family alleged that the case, who is their father, was initially admitted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for about 4 days without medical attention and was smartly discharged. According to them, thereafter he developed COVID-19 related symptoms with difficulty in breathing and other underlying illnesses such as diabetes, pneumonia and high sugar level. In…
An anti-corruption group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda, (HEDA Resource Centre) with her partners, has expressed deep concern that the palliatives being distributed by Federal and State Governments in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak may not be reaching the poor. HEDA has been compiling information from across the country on the impact of government palliative interventions. It said it constantly receives reports that many of the vulnerable poor are excluded from the palliatives being shared by the various tiers of government while in some instances, the deliberate distribution of materials has been restricted to only members of the ruling…
A Sienna Bus loaded with bags of weed suspected to be cannabis Sativa has been intercepted in Ogbodiukwu community in Umuahia South council area of Abia state. The vehicle was impounded by the Abia State combined team of the COVID-19 TASK FORCE and youths of Ogbudiukwu. Also recovered from the vehicle was the cash sum of one hundred and twenty thousand naira. Confirming the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations in the State, Alfa Jibril said that the DPO in charge of Umuopara, Helen Nze Had led a team to hunt for the driver, who abandoned his vehicle and…
Civil and Public servants including primary and secondary school teachers in Anambra State, are to resume work on Monday 4th of May, 2020. Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu disclosed on behalf of the State Government in a statement in Awka on Thursday. The Statement is coming days after the State Governor, Willie Obiano announced the easing of the lockdown in the state with the reopening of food and drug markets, churches, bars and restaurants. Professor Chukwulobelu said the workers which include teachers will resume on Monday but pupils and students will remain at home and follow Anambra…
Public servants in Anambra state have been mandated to provide face masks for themselves or risk sanctions from the government. The State Head of Service disclosed in an exclusive interview with TNC in Awka. The initiative is in line with the State Government’s directive to Anambra citizens to ensure that they always make use of face mask each time they need to leave their homes. Udu said wearing of face mask was one of the preconditions for entry into any government office, noting that public servants were asked to get it as part of their contribution towards the fight against…
Enugu state yesterday confirmed a new positive case of coronavirus. The new case brings the tally to 3, the total number of Covid19 cases in the state with two persons discharged. The State Commissioner for Health, Ikechukwu Obi gave the confirmation today while briefing newsmen in Enugu. According to him, the case has a positive travel history and had travelled out of Enugu on the 28th of March 2020 and returned from Jos, Plateau State on 14th April 2020. “This confirmed case developed symptoms on Tuesday 21st April and reported to a frontline health centre in the state on Saturday…
Succour today came the way of a teenage mother who was detained by a hospital where she gave birth because of her inability to pay the bills. The 17-year old mother simply identified as Ogechi who was delivered of a baby boy, told TNC that she was impregnated while hawking oranges for her mother. She said after she was delivered of the baby boy through a caesarian section in a hospital in Awka, the hospital detained because her mother was not able to offset the hospital bills put at #140,000. It, however, took the intervention of a philanthropic organization, Silent…
There are still movements into Anambra State through its borders, despite the directive by the state government to security agencies to ensure full closure of the borders. The disclosure was made by the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Christian Madubuko when he monitored the State borders in the company of Anambra State House of Assembly Special Committee on COVID-19, to ascertain the level of compliance with the directive on their closure. The border closure which was announced by the State Governor, Willie Obiano was to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. When the monitoring team arrived Amansea junction,…
