South East
Govt Promises Opportunities For Self-employment
Abia state government says it would continue to initiate and promote opportunities for gainful self-employment.
Governor Theodore Orji gave this assurance at the passing out ceremony of the 2008 Batch C National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state for their one year national service.
A total of 616 corps members passed out during the occasion held at the Orji Uzor Kalu Township Stadium, Umuahia where 15 corps members who distinguished themselves during their service year were honoured with state awards.
Abia State Co-ordinator of the NYSC, Ufot Etukudo, also used the forum to charge the out-going corps members to explore the private sector for job opportunities while those seeking to be self-employed should avail themselves of the NYSC Foundation economic package to get started.
Orji, represented by his deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas, urged the youths to look to the future with hope, saying opportunities and privileges await them. He added : “white collar jobs might not be there but rest assured that government will not relent in its efforts to initiate and promote opportunities for gainful self-employment.”
He pointed out that “active participation in the Youth Corps programme is a stage in the life of any patriotic and worthy citizen which affords him/her the opportunity to explore the labour market and face future challenges.”
The governor commended managers of the NYSC scheme for their commitment and undaunted efforts at cementing sustainable bonds among the youths for systematic building of a strong, united and better Nigeria.
He further remarked that NYSC programme has made indelible impact on the development of Abia state as well as Nigeria in general and encouraged the NYSC to strive to add more value to its services to humanity.
Chairman of Abia State NYSC Board and Permanent Secretary, Political, Charity Umezie, in her address, urged private sector players who employ the corps labour to brace up to the multi-faceted challenges posed by the scheme over the years.
Umezie said that rural communities would be transformed when people identify for execution, developmental projects that would uplift the rural areas especially in the areas of education, health services and industry.
”If NYSC’s untapped labour is well utilised, our rural communities will be transformed into centres of excellence,” she opined.
Earlier, the Abia State coordinator of NYSC, Etukudo, had charged the out-going corps member to look beyond the present uncertainties by applying their “practical and demonstrative willingness and abilities to move forward.”
”The present situation in the country makes it impossible for all of you to be employed in the public service,” Etukudo told the jubilant youths, urging them to explore the private sector while those of them wishing to set up their own businesses should grab the opportunity offered by the NYSC foundation.
The event featured parade by the out-going corps members, cultural dance by the NYSC cultural troupe and presentation of certificates to those who bagged the State Honours Award.
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.