Enyimba stadium: Abia completes initial payment, returns contractor to site

November 28, 2017 

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Contractor handling Enyimba Stadium, Aba, MoniMitchelle Sports Facilities Construction limited has promised to deliver the stadium before the new Nigerian league season starts on January 14, 2018.

Mr Ebi Egbe, the Director, disclosed this in Aba on Tuesday in an interview with our correspondent after inspecting the stadium with Abia Sports Commissioner, Dr Martins Okoji.

“We are back on site because it is a money play. Government has paid and so we are back to work. Enyimba is also my team so we are doing everything to return Enyimba home.

“But you know once there is a delay in contract, it gives rise to variation. But it will not stop us from doing what we need to do as contractors to assist the state”, he said.

Egbe said Abia government’s delay in fulfilling their contract had raised the cost of the work but promised to be working and talking with the government to ensure timely completion.

Egbe while conducting the commissioner round the stadium said two stairways needed reconstruction to avoid death as well as public conveniences and upgrading of its dressing rooms.

 He also noted that Enyimba stadium needed a Video Replayer Electronic Scoreboard and LED floodlights to attain FIFA standard which would drive usage traffic to it to the benefit of the state.

The Abia Sports Commissioner, Okoji said that he came to access the level of work done and what needs to be done at the stadium to return Enyimba FC to the stadium before January.

“Abians are interested, state government is interested, sports lovers are interested to see that Enyimba boys return to their stadium. 

“The state government is committed to seeing Enyimba stadium fixed. From what you, Monimitchelle has told us that you are going to commence work immediately, ensure much is done before the January 14, 2018 league kickoff”, he said.

Okoji urged the contractor to visit his office for discussion on anything that could hinder his timely completion of the work promising to forward such to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for immediate action.

He also charged him to deliver quality work that will leave Abia state people excited instead of disappointed.

The Abia State government gave out the contract to Monimitchelle limited to reconstruct the stadium and plant semi-artificial grass on it in December 2015 with mandate to complete it in 90 days.

However, the delay in the initial contract payment completion hindered the work resulting in Enyimba FC of Aba playing their league matches in Port Harcourt and Calabar stadia for two seasons.

Enyimba FC stadium which sits about 25, 000 spectators has a football pitch measuring 110 X 74 meters which is rated the biggest pitch in the world.

Aisha urge Nigerians to immortalize good people through living right

Nov. 23, 2017 

By Ijendu Iheaka

 

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari has urged Nigerians to immortalize good people who have died by emulating their virtues and living peaceful lives like they did.

She said that it was only by emulating their life styles that humanity can properly immortalize great people who have left legacies of a good life with them.

Aisha made the call at Ohanze-Ishiahia in Obingwa LGA on Thursday during the burial ceremony of the mother of the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, late Jemimah Nwakanma.

She praised late Mrs Jemimah Nwakanma, as a virtuous woman who served God and mankind with sacrifices to help humanity through the nursing profession adding that her life was worth emulating.

Aisha urged the family, Abia State and Nigeria to be comforted by the late midwife’s good motherhood example by which she trained children that have contributed greatly to national development.

Aisha was represented at the event by the Deputy National Women Leader of All Pople Congress (APC), Dr Mrs Tina Abike.

In his speech, the Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that her late mother-in-law was an epitome of courage, pillar of strength, compassionate care-giver and a gift to humanity.

He noted that the woman midwife the birth of over 3000 children and cared for them adding that if good testimonies could resurrect the dead, her mother-in-law would not have ressurected.

He regretted that mankind could do nothing about death but pray that they live well to meet them at the end of life in heaven adding that from her life style, she was hopeful of heaven at last

Earlier in his sermon titled “Adam, where are you”, Dr Bassey Udoh, President, Eastern Nigerian Union Conference, Seventh-Day Adventist Church said that man was accountable to God who created him.

He said that the life of the late woman showed she was conscious of who she was and where she was going hnce she served God and humanity sacrificially.

Udoh said the one question a man must answer was, where are you going to when you die adding that two eternities awaited humans, heaven or hell.

He therefore urged men to come to Jesus Christ who died and resurrected to save them and give them hope of life after death so that they could overcome the terrors of death and eternal hell.

The chief celebrant and former Deputy Governor of Abia state, Chief Acho Nwakanma thanked all who helped to make the occasion successful and prayed for their safety while going home.  

Some of the dignitaries at the event included the wives of governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mrs Martha Emmanuel, Anambra State, Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano, Ebonyi state, Mrs Rachael Umahi, 

Others are wives of governors of Enugu state, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, Ogun state, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, Lagos state, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and Imo state, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha.

Also present were Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Theodore Orji and Mao Ohuabunwa among others.

Exhibit local goods at Trade Fairs to boost patronage - Ikpeazu

November 21, 2017

By Ijendu Iheaka

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has charged Nigerian industrialists to exhibit their products at trade fairs r to create more awareness about their products and boost patronage.

The governor gave this counsel at the Abia State Polytechnic playing ground in Aba on Tuesday while declaring open the 3rd Aba International Trade Fair.

Ikpeazu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Henry Nwachukwu said that creating awareness about local products would increase their patronage hence the need for more publicity through fairs.

He said that the theme of the fair “Promoting Trade and Business interaction for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria” was timely as government seeks to make Aba Nigeria’s SME hub.

He thanked the Aba Chamber of Commerce for organizing the fair stressing that the idea would help to drive the vision of expanding the reach of locally made goods from the state.

The governor officially declared “the 3rd Aba International Trade Fair open to the glory of God and humanity”.

In his speech, the President, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), Mr Andy Obasi said the chamber had keyed into the vision and footsteps of Ikpeazu to develop Aba.

 He said the fair was part of the chamber’s effort to showcase locally made products to local and international markets to enable loacal industrialists reach out to more buyers.

Obasi expressed hope that the fair would benefit participants in building business contacts for future transactions and thanked all present for adding colour to the event.

The Fair’s Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr Chukwuemeka Okoroama said the fair was set up to promote business interactions necessary for growth of Nigeria’s non-oil sector which needed much attention now.

Okoroama said government should improve power, infrastructure, fiscal and economic policies needed to grow the sector which World Banks says accounts for about 89 percent of Nigeria’ GDP.

He called on government to make conscious and deliberate efforts to cause institutional and regulatory reforms necessary to remove obstacles to the growth of Nigeria’s non-oil sector.

Former Vice-President, ALex Ekwueme dies at 85

November 20, 2017


By Ijendu Iheaka


A former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme has died in a London hospital.

According to a statement from his brother, and traditional ruler of Oko Kingdom in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said Alex died in a London hospital at about 10 : pm Sunday night.

“Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme GCON.

“The sad event occurred at the London Clinic at 10:00 pm on Sunday 19th November 2017", the statement read.

The former Vice-President, sources said, collapsed on October 28 in his residence in Enugu.

He was subsequently taken to Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital Enugu, where he was admitted and treated for a chest infection for about two weeks.

 He was later flown to a London hospital where he died on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

Alex was born in October 21, 1932 in Oko and trained up to doctorate degree levels as an architect, a profession he excelled in and made a name for himself through his firm Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners.

In October 1, 1979, he became Nigeria's Vice-President in the 2nd Republic during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari.

He held the position until December 31, 1983 when the military coup of Mohammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon threw the regime overboard.

Alex Ekwueme was 85 years on October 10, 2017 when he celebrated his last birthday.

A Nigerian of note, and a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation during Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure said of Alex on his 80th birthday "Your name alone is suggestive – a good man – a man who keeps his word, a man of excellence.

"You are a pre-eminent Nigerian, distinguished in every respect, a man of character and discipline, a worthy ambassador of our nation and of God, fearless, courageous and upright".

Alex Ekwueme will be remembered for his uprightness in his political career and as a Nigerian who was exemplary in leadership.

Accion MFB opens branch in Aba, promises better deals

November 17, 2017

By Ijendu Iheaka

Mr Taiwo Joda, the Managing Director of Accion Microfinance Bank, has promised that the bank would provide cheaper funds in Aba to help residents grow their businesses.

Joda made the promise at the new branch office of the bank located on No. 5, Powerline street by Ariaria Market in Aba during the opening of the bank’s first branch in Abia State.

He said that the bank would partner Abia State Government to reduce poverty and boost the state’s economy.

“We want to help micro-entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses so that they could also act as catalysts for economic development in Abia,” he said.

Joda said that after the new branch in Aba, the bank would move to open branches in Delta and Edo States as part of its national expansion programme.

Mr Onyema Abarikwu, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Trade and Investment, lauded the foresight of the bank in opening its first branch within the ever-busy Ariaria Market.

Abarikwu, represented by Mrs Chinyere Nwosu, the Head, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Department in the ministry, said the bank’s presence would help to build Aba as a business hub.

He promised that with clear vision, the bank would surpass the performance of its competitors in the state and urged it assist residents by easing their problem of access to finance.

Mr Andy Obasi, the President of Aba Chamber of Commerce, thanked the bank for coming to the state and for berthing in Aba first, stressing that it was a good thing for businesses in the area.

He, however, urged the bank to fulfill its promises and also to reduce its lending conditions to ensure it reaped the best that Aba businesses could offer.

Obasi promised, on behalf of the chamber, to partner the bank, but urged it to exceed people’s expectations if it expected “good business from Aba business people”.

His Royal Majesty, Eze Isaac Ikonne, welcomed the bank and prayed for it to have profitable transactions as it served the financial needs of Aba businesses.

Ikonne, while cutting the tape to declare the bank branch open, urged the people to do business with the bank, stressing that the bank was a good bank to do business with.

Nigerian observers cheer at the removal of President Robert Mugabe

November 15, 2017

By Ijendu Iheaka

Observers from Nigeria are cheering at the removal of President Robert Mugabe from the leadership seat of Zimbabwe.

Although they said that the event had come far too late in the 37- years of bloody reign of the tyrant, R. Mugabe, they expressed hope that the change would usher in a new government with progressive ideas for weary Zimbabweans.

A Nigerian citizen said on the social media “The fall of Robert Mugabe should teach African leaders to quit the stage when the ovation is loudest. But unfortunately, they do not listen to the voice of reason and of history”.

The Zimbabwean Defence Forces (ZDF) has earlier said it had intervened to save the nation from a failing political, social and economic situation by securing the President Robert Mugabe and checking criminal in government.

The Army stated that it was not after Robert Mugabe but after criminals around him.

This  is was contained in an address read out to the world by a military officer on the state Television in Harare on Wednesday after the ZDF seized the Zimbabwean Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

The army said they had not carried out any coup and assured that after completing their mission, they would ensure the situation is normalized.

However, sources say they were holding the President Robert Mugabe under house arrest in his home in Harare.

"We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.

"As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy", they said.

Foreign observers are speculating that the “control of the government by the ZDF” will not go down well with the African Union and the 15-nation Southern African Development Community, a regional body.

Sources say that these two organs will not recognise any authority which launches itself to power through a coup d’etat. 

However, observers say that the ZDF would be seen as the saviour of the people of Zimbabwe if they could keep to their words and rid the nation of its political crooks.

They further counseled the Army to be selfless and quick in “completing their mission and quitting government” to pave way for a credible elections in Zimbabwe soonest.

ACCIMA seeks import tariff reduction at Port Harcourt Port

November 13, 2017

By Ijendu Iheaka


 Mr Andy Obasi, the new President, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture,(ACCIMA) said his executive would engage government with a view to reducing import tariff at the Port Harcourt Port.

Obasi said this during an interview with the our reporter in Aba on Monday.

He said the need for the engagement arose because the cost of moving goods from Lagos to Aba and its environs was impacting negatively on the cost of production.

According to him the same goes for the price of the finished goods.

The president also promised to encourage Igbo business men and women operating outside the zone to extend to or replicate their businesses in the zone to boost the economy of the zone.

He suggested the creation of ranching businesses in Abia to stop herdsmen/farmers clash in the area and Nigeria.

He said that his executive would liaise with the state government to draft policies which would help to rejuvenate businesses in Aba, the state capital and the state in general.

Obasi said Aba business environment needed industrial park to create enabling environment for the business people in the area and boost their productivity.

He called on the state government to ensure that the Ntigha Dry Port in Isiala Ngwa North would be realised to ease clearing challenges and constraints hitherto facing Aba importers.

Obasi promised to identify at least two raw materials in the area which Abia people had comparative advantage, harness and transform with value added for their benefit.

Obasi called for partnership between the government and private sector operators to advance the agricultural practices in the state to animal husbandry and processing of agricultural products.

The ACCIMA president urged the state government to consider formulating policies to encourage the use of liquefied natural gas by industries in the area, to reduce the cost of power generation.