South East
Industrialisation: Chime Bemoans Lack Of Fund
The collapse of flourishing industries in the South Eastern part of the country over the years has been attributed to lack of funds, mismanagement and other ancillary support necessary for their growth and stability, the governor of Enugu State, Barrister Sullivan I. Chime, has said.
The Governor who made this known while speaking at the official opening of the South-East zonal office of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Enugu, last Monday observed that in Nigeria, as in other nations, businesses need access to funds and other services rendered by each country’s Bank of Industry to boost their overall productive capacities and resultantly create employment opportunities.
He, noted that the presence of the bank in Enugu was a bold step not only to revive dead or ailing industries in the South East but also to promote new businesses and encourage existing ones.
“We are quite optimistic that business concerns in our zone will benefit from these services and that clearly underscores our enthusiasm over today’s event”, explaining that the state Government on its own part has continued to provide the enabling environment that would attract prospective investors and keep existing ones in the State.
According to him, “I shall remain faithful to our vow to create the platform that will make it possible for businesses to thrive. In a few days, renowned retailing conglomerate Shoprite, will commence trading operations here in the Coal City as a prelude to the commissioning of the Enugu Shopping Mall, the biggest in the country”.
He added that with industrial estates and parks already designated and an Enugu Free Trade Zone awaiting necessary approvals, the Bank of Industry must gear up for the anticipated upsurge in industrial activities.
The Governor further reasoned that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the Enugu Monorail project signalled that “our daybreak has come to herald the economic rejuvenation of not just Enugu State but the South-East zone and the Nigerian nation at large”.
He, therefore, commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mrs. Evelyn Oputu, for her sterling performance in office, adding that the opening of the zonal office was another landmark achievement for the bank.
In her address, Mrs Oputu disclosed that the bank has since inception disbursed over N150 billion to industrialists in the country, adding that about N20 billion of that amount went to industrialists and entrepreneurs in Enugu State.
She stated that the Bank was established as part of the reform agenda of the government to boost the economy, pointing out that it currently operates in all the six geopolitical zones of the country and Lagos.
The Bank’s Chief Executive explained that the South East Zonal office which was originally located at Aba had to be moved to Enugu when the environment in the former became very uncomfortable for its operations.
She pointed out that the choice of Enugu as the Headquarters of the zone was based on the favourable incentives provided by the state government especially in the areas of security, office accommodation and commitment of the state Governor to boost the economy of the state.
Also in his speech, the Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Jude Akubuilo, described the establishment of the zonal office of the Bank in the state as a remarkable landmark that would help boost her economy.
He noted that the Bank had helped so many industries in the country and beyond and was now poised to help the state government to revive some of the ailing industries and also implement the 4-point agenda of the present administration in the state.
South East
Corpse Of Woman Found In Ebonyi Hotel Room
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
South East
Senate Passes S’East Dev Commission Bill
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
South East
2019: Oyedepo Predicts Peace In Nigeria
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.
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