South East
Igbo Youth Honour Ekweme, Onu, Two Others
Satisfied with their contributions to the Igbo nation, the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), has presented Awards of Excellence to some prominent Igbo leaders, amongst whom are ex- Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Minister designate, Dr. Ogbonannya Onu.
Others are foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, renowned novelist and traditional ruler, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ike, as well as Nollywood icon, John Okafor, (Aka Mr. Ibu)
Presenting the awards to the Igbo leaders at the 16th National Convention of the organisation in Enugu, its founder, Evangelist Elliot Uko, said IYM does not believe in leadership that is measured by acquisition of wealth rather, the contribution to development of ones fatherland.
The IYM boss, explained that the movement had promoted Igbo culture since 1999 when it was established, adding that it encouraged students to take-up Igbo language in their study.
He called on Nigerians to support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its effort to rid the country of the cankerworm of corruption.
Uko, expressed the support of the movement for those found guilty in the proper judicial process to be jailed until they returned the stolen money.
The IYM President, stated that the theme of this year’s annual convention “ Ibuli Asusu Igbo” meaning, promoting Igbo language was carefully chosen to encourage and propagate the interest in Igbo language.
He said that IYM would continue to fight for true federalism which would restore confidence in the unity of Nigeria as well as give the citizenry a sense of belonging.
Uko said that the movement would also continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign against corruption and terrorism.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Dr. Onu, who applauded IYM for the recognition, said that the language of a people had a significant influence and shape not only their identity, but also strengthen their participation in the development processes.
He however, lamented that the society had witnessed the erosion of cultural values over the years, noting that many of the things people did in the past that earned them respect and acclaim had unfortunately been discarded.
“Today, our society is faced with the danger that the Igbo language may not survive for long. It is sad that most of our children find it difficult to communicate in our native language. The attraction of foreign values has become almost an obsession that has weakened our self-confidence and injured our self-esteem.
“We cannot rediscover ourselves if we do not reclaim our cultural heritage. It has become important because a people without culture is a people without self-confidence. If a people lack self-confidence then such a people lose the will, determination and drive to successfully engage the development process in the pursuit of the common good.
In his remarks, Ekwueme, expressed happiness and encouraged the young ones to embrace Igbo language so that it should not be swept under the carpet.
The former Number two citizen, advised parents to re-introduce Igbo speaking in their various home as it would play a role in their children’s way of life.
Our Correspondent reports that the event also featured a debate and quiz competition on igbo language, sponsored by immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, among secondary schools students.
In the competition, Miss Ndidiamaka Ezugwu of Government Secondary School, Enugu took the first position to smile home with N50,000 while Miss Njideka Jideonwu of Trans-Ekulu Girls’ Secondary School placed second to pocket N30,000.
IYM, honored Ekwueme with the award of visionary leader for inspiring leadership to father land, while Ike was given an award of role model for exemplary and consolidated leadership.
Onu, was recognised with the award of decency in politics and honorable in perseverance, just as Okafor, was given an award of role model for commitment and inspiring dedication.
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.
