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Group Tasks S’ East Govs On IPOB Sit-At-Home Order

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Governors of the South-East States have been called upon to  take immediate responsibility and joint action to stop parallel government leading to continuous sit-at-home in the zone.
 Members of a South-East Group, Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum, who made the call  in a conference held in Enugu on Wednesday also urged the  governors to convene an emergency meeting within themselves in the next 48-hour and follow it up with a multi-stakeholder consultative forum, with intent to generate actionable ideas that would douse rising tensions in the zone. 
 The leader of the Forum, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, had during the conference entitled “Disruptive Nature of Sit–At-Home Order and its Socio-economic Impact on the People”, noted  that the continued sit-at-home had dire economic consequences on businesses in the area. 
He maintained that many Igbos that depend on daily earnings now have to go hungry for some days of the week because of shutdown on businesses.
It would be recalled that about a month ago, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) issued out a weekly Sit–at-Home order, which they christened: “Ghost Monday”.
 The IPOB group, however, had allegedly said that it had suspended the order but hoodlums had already hijacked the situation terrorising the people with sporadic violence and fake/tailored viral social media posts.
 He noted that coincidentally also the NECO Mathematics and the WAEC English language examinations fell on Mondays and these came at extra costs to the students and their parents/guardians. 
 According to him, most students have to trek over 10-kilometer to get to catch up with their examinations, because the commuters were unavailable. 
Okenwa further regretted that a good number of candidates have to miss their examinations.
 The positions of the forum are as follows: “The region cannot afford to lose out on its economic viability, which largely depends on the Internally Generated Revenues, in the face of present economic crisis.
 “Continued compliance with the sit-at-home order will further stifle life out of the region’s economy. We cannot afford to lose out on the gains of the first day of economic activity in the region.
 “What is even more worrisome is the fact that the collapse of economic activities on Mondays is gradually being extended to other days of the week.
 
“This is a terrible development and a threat that might lead to complete collapse of economic activities in our region, should nothing be done to stem the tide.
 
“We would love to observe that whilst some in the region comply with the sit-at-home order in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of IPOB; others comply due to concerns for their safety.
 
“Though some of Ndi-Igbo, who fell within this category share some sentiments with the embattled IPOB leader, they are however more concerned with how the sit-at-home is fast diminishing their ability to take care of their families.
 ”We wish to observe with disappointment that the compliance of Ndi-Igbo to sit-at-home despite the assurances of some governors for indigenes to go about their businesses leaves us with the question:
 
“Is the sit-at-home instruction by the proscribed IPOB group more powerful than the go-to-work order by constituted authorities of the five states in the region?
 
“This indeed is suggestive of a leadership gap in the South-East and necessity is laid on the South-East governors to demonstrate to us that there is no parallel government in the zone,” he said.
 
He noted that some governors of the South-East i.e. Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra and Gov.Dave Umahi of Ebonyi have issued orders with corresponding threats of consequences of non-compliance.
 
“But, we wish to remind them that threat and the use of force cannot handle what dialogue is designed to handle.
 
“The level of low compliance to the governors’ directives despite threats confirms that a psychological operation to win back the hearts and confidence of the people will be far more reaching,” he added.
 
He said that the South-East governors must act fast to ensure that a region known for peace and economic progress does not descend further into anarchy.
 
“Dialogue and a possibly impressing on the Federal Government to consider amnesty for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB members in various cells across the country should be esteemed as an option”.
 
The forum have Nnenna Anozie as its Secretary; Mr Chiagozie Nwabuko (Abia State); Mr Wilfred Okeke (Anambra State); Prince Ozioma Ani (Enugu State); Mr Chima Vincent (Ebonyi State) and Mr Chidimma Ibemere (Imo State).

By: Canice Amadi, Enugu

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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