South East
Anambra Floats N1bn Loan Small Businesses
In a bid to empower youth,
eradicate poverty, create job and improve the welfare of the people, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has earmarked over N1billion for loan to small scale entrepreneurs in the state.
The loan was part of Obiano’s poverty alleviation programme in the state for petty traders, cottage industrialists, artisans, and those in the Agricultural sector.
Preparatory to the assessment of the loan, the state through its agency, the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) organized an empowerment workshop for all small entrepreneurs in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Obiano who was represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke at the workshop while addressing the expectants beneficiaries of the loans told the people of the state to exercise patience as his administration would make sure that development reaches to every nook and cranny of the state.
He noted that no part of the state would be given attention more than others and urged those that have interest for the loan scheme to feel free to access it with little interest and a surety.
The Chairman of the occasion and APGA chieftain in Idemili Local Government Area, Mr Raphael Asha Nnabuife, who was once a transitional chairman of the council commended Obiano for rolling out huge amount of money as loan for small scale entrepreneurs in the state.
He urged the petty traders, artisans, farmers and industrialists in the area to embrace the micro loan scheme, and promised to provide N15 million for those that would access the loan from the council area as their surety.
Okeke commended the developmental initiatives of the state governor, whom he noted, had introduced various programmes to improve the welfare of the masses.
He also urged the members of the public to support the administration that has a human face.
He noted that the sensitization workshop organized by Anambra State Small Business Agency in conjunction with Idemili North Chapter of APGA was in the magnanimity of Governor Obiano to eradicate poverty in the area, and urged the people to avail themselves of the opportunity.
Nnabuife explained that he was guaranteeing N5million for small scale loan seekers who are petty traders, house wives, and artisans who wanted to collect loan ranging from N50,000 to N500,000 and an additional N10million for people who wanted to invest in small scale industries who could employ about two to 10 people, but don’t have collateral for such loans.
Other APGA chieftains who donated money to surety interested beneficiaries included Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi, the party candidate for Idemili North and South constituency who pledged N5million; Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu, former deputy chairman of APGA in the state N2million; Chief Tochukwu Megbuanaeze, member representing Idemili North Local Government Area in the Anambra State House of Assembly who donated part of his salaries, among others.
The Managing Director of ASBA, Mr Clem Chukwuka, in his remarks, explained the modalities for the loan scheme and the importance for the people to access it, noting that the state government had put up the loan scheme to ameliorate the suffering of the people, as well as improve the welfare of the poor.
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.