NEWS
Enugu Community Begs Mbah to Demarcate Boundary over Age-Long Dispute
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
Natives of Ikolo Community in Igbo-Etiti Council area of Enugu State, South East Nigeria, have called on the state governor Peter Mbah to as a matter of urgency, expedite action in demarcating the disputed boundary between them and sister community, Aku Community in the same local government area, saying the disputed boundary has so far claimed properties worth over 700 million naira.
The Community posited that they are optimistic and believe strongly that the demarcation by the state boundary committee being headed by the state Deputy governor, Ifeanyi Ossai will no doubt resolve the lingering communal conflict. They claimed that their community was allegedly invaded recently by “Aku Community over an allegation against one Chibueze Anidiobi, a herbalist by some people from Aku. It was alleged that three persons from Aku who had gone to Chibueze’s house in Ikolo to get herbs for sick women could not return to their houses on August 2, 2024″.”The matter was reported to the police by the Aku people to Ogbede, police station. Anidiobi was invited by the Divisional police officer (DPO) Ogbede and detained.Mr. Anidiobi told the police that on the said date August 2, 2024 that he was not at his Ikolo residence, but at Nsukka that day.”The police informed the two parties that there was a need to track the whereabouts of the alleged victims. In an attempt to exonerate himself from the allegation Chibueze paid a sum of three hundred thousand naira (300,000 000) to Ogbede police for the tracking of the phone numbers of the alleged missing persons””While the police investigation was ongoing, the people from Aku numbering about 300 came to Ogbede police station and insisted that the police Authorities should release Chibueze for them. The police had to use force to dispass them”.Addressing newsmen in Enugu on the ugly situation, President General (P-G) of the Community Chief Jude Odo, alongside their traditional ruler, His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Gabriel Ezeugwu, their lawyer, Chijioke Darlington Ezeh, and other community leaders, pleaded with the governor to come to their rescue as the development has turned their people to refugees in their own father’s land.Odo claimed that what is happening in Gaza (Palestine) Strip is a child’s play to what is happening in the Ikolo community, alleging that over 1000 people have been displaced and rendered homeless as a result of the raging dispute, stressing that they now live in a refugee camp under uncertainty.Ezeh, in his contribution stressed the need for police to carry out a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the disappearance of some persons as alleged by the rival community, so as to avoid arrest of innocent natives.The lawyer also urged the police to release the result of the tracking exercise it carried out to determine the whereabouts of the missing individuals, insisting that if not properly handled, innocent persons may end up suffering for sins they never committed.Recalling how the communal crisis between the two warring communities started the Ikolo President General, gave an insight into “the settlement of Augustine Agu in Ikolo (brief history of the land dispute):He stated that it was interesting to note that other towns and villages, in other surrounding communities in Igbo-Eiti and beyond have emigrated from Ikolo community, adding that they still bear the name Ikolo or have the same deities as Ikolo community.Chief Odo further averred that the aborigine of Ikolo people is not in doubt, having settled where the Ikolo community is situated before Leleagu, and Aku people dating back to 9th Century BC.He pointed out that they have been decimated, ruined and completely disgraced, noting that their hearts were filled with sorrows, and agonies.”We humbly pray to the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Peter Mbah,to kindly order the Aku people to stop the killings of Ikolo indigenes, and save our people from further arrest;”Request His Excellency, to save us from these continual catastrophic attacks by coming to demarcate a boundary between Ikolo community, and Leleagu/Aku community;The Community also, urged the governor “To come to the immediate rescue of the victims of the displaced persons whose homes and properties were burnt;In his brief comment, the traditional ruler of the community corroborated all that the P-G highlighted in his speech, appealing to the state governor to use his good office in expediting action in the matter so as to save his subjects from the hands of their perceived enemies, Aku people.Igwe Ezugwu added that the terrible situation got to a point where some persons made an attempt to abduct him from his palace, but was saved via God’s intervention, disclosing that he has since reported the matter to the police.The Monarch and his people also expressed displeasure over the unsatisfactory manner the police in the locality have been handling the ugly development, especially as it Concerns issue of tracking of the phones of the alleged victims.NEWS
Buni Approves Employment of 424 Health Workers
Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, has approved the employment of 424 health professionals to bolster medical facilities across the state.
Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Damaturu on Tuesday.
He said 205 of the employed workers were Nurses and Midwives, who graduated from the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu.
“Similarly, the governor has approved the employment of 219 Health Technicians with specialty in different fields to meet the professional requirements of the state’s hospitals.
“The newly employed health workers are to be deployed to both rural and urban areas towards providing efficient health services to people across the state,” Mohammed said.
The governor’s aide noted that the employment was in line with Buni-administration’s policy of providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people.
He charged the new workers to be loyal, disciplined and dedicated to their duty to justify government’s investment as well as confidence reposed in them.
Mohammed said the governor assured that healthcare service delivery would continue to be on the priority list of his administration.
“Buni noted that government would continue to provide hospitals with required facilities, medical consumables, and qualified staff for continuous improvement of healthcare delivery in the state,” he assured. (NAN)
NEWS
Xmas: Diocese of Yola Donates Gifts to Inmates
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Yola, Bishop Stephen Mamza, on Tuesday donated some gifts to inmates at Yolde-Pate Correctional Centre in Yola-South.
Speaking at the Correctional Centre, Mamza said that the donation which was made in the spirit of love would make the inmates feel the impact of Christmas being a period of joy, happiness and peace.
“We are here to rejoice with the inmates, tomorrow will be the Christmas for all of us Christians and humanity for the whole world, the time we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“It is a period of joy, happiness and peace because Christ have dropped peace and joy into the world for us.
“To make the inmates feel the impact of Christmas, we have decided to bring some Christmas gifts that you needed in order to live a little comfortable in the centre,” the diocese said.
Mamza, therefore, called on the inmates to take advantage of being in the centre to change positively and contribute to the development of their communities after their jail term.
He also assured them that the ongoing construction of the Chapel in the centre that he had started would be completed and put to use soonest.
In his remarks, ACC Williams Cham, the Control in charge of the Centre, expressed their appreciation to the diocese for supporting the well-being of the inmates under their custody and assured him of judicious distribution of the items to them.
The donated items includes 672 bathroom slippers, 180 pieces of Izal disinfectants, 1,080 bottles of vaseline Jelly, 720 pieces of soaps, a carton of medicines and 40 medium size mats, among others. (NAN)
NEWS
Archbishop Martins Tasks FG on Economy
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to do more to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
Martins said that the government should introduce and implement more favourable policies to reduce economic hardship.
The cleric made this known in his Christmas message to Nigerians.
The message was signed by the Director of Social Communications of the archdiocese, Rev.
Fr. Anthony Godonu.Martins said that there was the need for a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive as a strategy to reduce unemployment and poverty.
“This is more urgent than ever,” he said.
He emphasised the need for leaders to prioritise the welfare of the masses above private and parochial interests particularly in addressing hunger, unemployment and insecurity.
The cleric expressed sadness at the death of Nigerians, including children, due to stampede in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra State, in their quest to access food palliatives.
He urged the Federal Government to come up with more short-term measures to cushion the effects of policies deemed to have positive results on the long-term, such as fuel subsidy removal.
“In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured.
“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity.
“May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness and fill our hearts with love, compassion and kindness.
“As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised.
“May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he said (NAN)