South East
Umahi Reconciles With Political Ally
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State last Sunday evening reconciled with his estranged major political ally in the state, Julius Amah-Orji, popularly known as ‘Ochiliozuo .
The relationship between the duo cracked when Mr Umahi appointed Mr. Amah-Oji’s main political foe in Afikpo South Local Government Area, Eni Uduma, as the caretaker chairman of the council.
The final nail was driven into the coffin when the governor ensured that Mr Uduma emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the council for the forthcoming council polls in the state, a situation that infuriated Mr. Amah-Orji.
The reconciliation was made when Mr Umahi led members of the State Executive Council, state Elders Council and members of the House of Assembly, among other political stakeholders, to an Easter visit on Mr Amah-Orji at his country home in Nguzu-Edda community.
According to the governor, the visit was to bring reconciliation among diverse political interests in the area and ensure that no individual in his political group ‘abandons the ship’.
“Many people across the state, expressed misgivings over the outcome of our LGA elections primaries; but one thing I agree with the elders council, is that no one who fought the battle with us will be left behind.
“Amah-Orji has a right to be angry if he has reason to do so and we are here because he is very important to our winning elections no matter what people say.
“Humility which is very important in a man’s life brought us here as people can give any type of interpretation to this visit but I’m not ashamed to preach the gospel of love,” he said.
Mr Umahi described Amah-Orji as a consummate politician and leader with a good heart, noting that he worked assiduously to ensure his election as the governor in 2015.
“He gave us rooms in his several hotels in Lagos free of charge during our struggle to be elected, among other immeasurable assistance, as we are blessed in Ebonyi, to say sorry whenever we err.
“Our visit here should unite the people of Afikpo South LGA because the state is too small to be fragmented or fractured.
“I earnestly appeal to Amah-Orji and other political stakeholders of the council to embrace peace and love not because of elections but because they are the greatest gifts of God to man,” he said.
He thanked all those who accompanied him on the visit, noting that shelving their Easter celebrations was remarkable and a sacrifice for the desired unity in the state.
“When the names of two traditional rulers in the council: HRH Ugwuocha Obasi and Dickson Okorie were submitted to me for recognition, I stepped them down, insisting that Amah-Orji should be the one to submit them.
“He has done so presently and I direct the traditional rulers to come to my office on Wednesday and collect their staff of offices,” he said.
Franklin Ogbuewu, former Minister of Culture and Tourism and Chairman of the state Elders Council, commended the governor for his humility and noted that the visit has achieved its desired goal.
Mr. Ogbuewu, who was also Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Greece, noted that he counselled Amah-Orji and the governor separately and they heeded to his counsel.
“The governor noted that to prove that he has accepted what I told him, he will pay Amah-Orji an Easter visit which he did today to prove that we are still a united family,” he said.
Responding, Mr. Amah-Orji welcomed the governor to the area and conveyed his peoples’ warm felicitations towards his visit.
The governor finally performed the symbolic handing over of Mr. Uduma into Amah-Orji’s care, signifying reconciliation and harmonious relationship between the duo.
Sources close to Mr. Amah-Orji told NAN that in his displeasure over Mr. Uduma’s emergence, he resigned his appointment as member of the Ebonyi State University Governing board and the state elders council.
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.