South East
Chime Advices Corpers To Identify With Host Communities
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), deployed to Enugu state for primary assignments have been charged to identify with the problems and aspirations of their host communities during their service year.
The state Governor, Barrister Sullivan I. Chime, gave the charge in an address on the occasion of the closing ceremony of orientation course for the 2011 batch ‘B’ Corps Members at Awgu Camp.
Represented on the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, Governor Chime, reminded the corps members that they were moving to their places of primary assignment to put into practice the pledge during their swearing-in for the assignment to serve in any part of the country deployed.
He, therefore, urged them to accept their postings to any community in good faith and work diligently to actualise the aim of the scheme.
The state chief executive also implored the corps members to maintain the laudable footprint and commendable conduct of their predecessors during the 2011 general elections in the country.
He reiterated the disposition of his administration to corps members’ welfare, especially those that performed creditably, urging them to rise to the duty of protecting the unity and peace bequeathed to the country by God.
In an address, the Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, Enugu State and State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Chijioke Agu, commended the corps members for their dedication and participation in the course activities.
Commissioner Agu added that their zeal and attendance to all the programmes of the orientation exercise showed that they were ready to apply the skill and training to contribute to the growth and development of Enugu State and Nigeria in general.
The chairman reminded members trained as vanguards for the fight against HIV/AIDS and the realization of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that the rural communities were looking forward to benefit from their trainings.
According to him, the society had high expectations from them, advising them to strive at all times to live up to expectations.
Mr. Agu further assured the corps members of the readiness of the state and local government councils to create favourable environment for them to discharge their responsibilities.
Speaking, the Coordinator, NYSC, Enugu State, Elder Joshua Olowookere, also charged the corps members to maintain high levels of discipline and commitment exhibited during the orientation course in their places of primary assignment.
He advised them to desist from engaging in acts capable of denting the image of the National Youths Service Corps, and commended the state government for the support the scheme is enjoying in the state.
Olowookere disclosed that the posting of the batch is 70 per cent rural based for rural transformation of the state governor’s agenda
In a brief remark, the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Council, Hon. Uche Anioke, represented by the deputy, Mr. Tony Udegbu, urged the corps members to respect the culture and customs of their host communities and assured them of a conducive atmosphere for the discharge of their duties.
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.”
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.
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.