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Tag: Imo

  • NLC Announces Two-Day Warning Strike in Protest Against Fuel Subsidy Removal Consequences

    NLC Announces Two-Day Warning Strike in Protest Against Fuel Subsidy Removal Consequences

    By Daniel Edu

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has officially declared a two-day warning strike set to commence on Tuesday, September 5, to express their dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s handling of the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidies.

    During a press conference held at the Labour House in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the strike on Friday. This decision came following discussions and resolutions reached by the NLC National Executive Committee (NEC) during their previous meeting.

    The labor union has accused the Federal Government of neglecting ongoing negotiations and failing to implement resolutions from prior engagements with the government.

    On August 2, organized labor staged a protest against what they perceived as anti-people policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), along with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliated unions, organized demonstrations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and various states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

    These protests followed a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, demanding the “immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies, including the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the rise in public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salaries for university lecturers and workers.”

    The union also called for an upward adjustment of the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N200,000, citing the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidy on the well-being of Nigerians, as stated in the President’s May 29, 2023, inauguration speech, where he mentioned the end of subsidies.

    Despite multiple discussions between the Presidency and the unions regarding measures to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians following the removal of petrol subsidies, no concrete solutions have emerged.

  • Rev. Pam flags Off 2023 Easter Pilgrims in Imo

    Rev. Pam flags Off 2023 Easter Pilgrims in Imo

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has flagged off the 2023 Easter pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan in Owerri, Imo state capital.
    Rev. Pam noted that the 2 23 Imo Easter Pilgrims flag off is in line with the Commissions policy of doing flag -offs in states with the highest pilgrims.

    The event which took place on 28th April, 2023 at the Government House Chapel, Owerri attracted high profile personalities and major stakeholders, especially the clergy and the Christian community.
    He commended the gesture of the Executive Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma as unprecedented for having sponsored the highest number of pilgrims in recent time, adding that Imo state as the first in the federation.

    The highly excited Executive Secretary of NCPC said he was happy to identify with the governor whom he described as the “Chief Mobilizer of pilgrims”for the Commission.,

    He averred that NCPC encourages sponsorship of pilgrims and the pilgrimage activities of the Commission helps to encourage spiritual growth and promote national unity.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for advancing the cause of pilgrimage in Nigeria for both Christian pilgrimage and Hajj.
    He urged the intending Pilgrims to pray for the state and the country in the Holy land while admonishing them to ensure they come back to the country after their pilgrimage experience as the Commission would not tolerate any case of absconders.

    Chairman of Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Fr Gilbert Alaribe in his remarks thanked the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his generousity in sponsoring 1000 intending Pilgrims to Israel and Jordan.

    He explained that since 2014 Imo State had not sponsored christians to the Holy land, stating that no past administration in the state had ever sponsored these number of christians to the Holy land.

    The Chairman commended Gov. Uzodimma for including and sponsoring less privileged Christians in all the rural areas in the state in the pilgrimage exercise.

    He urged the intending Pilgrims to pray for the Governor, for his good health and for lasting peace in the state.

    Governor Hope Uzodinma stated that from the beginning of his administration he had promised to continue to support evangelism and Christian pilgrimage activities because according to him, ” without God nothing works”.

    The governor thanked God for opportunity given to his people to visit the Holy land, he stressed that the Holy land had a way of affecting the lives of the people positively.

    Governor Uzodinma said the intending Pilgrims were representatives of the people as such they were expected to go to the Holy land of Israel on behalf of the people of the state.His words, ” you are going as a representative of the people”.
    He urged the intending Pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria by conducting themselves well in Israel.
    He cautioned the intending Pilgrims to shun abscondment and ensure they come back to the country.

    He said, ” you must come back with others so that you do not spoil our record, because what we say is what we do.”
    The first batch of intending Pilgrims of Imo State made up of about 300 were airlifted through the Port Harcourt International Airport direct to Amman, kingdom of Jordan where they are expected to spend three nights before proceeding to Israel.

  • Police Reveal Identity of Imo INEC Office Attackers

    Police Reveal Identity of Imo INEC Office Attackers

    The Imo State Police Command has said the attack on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, the state capital, was carried out by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mike Abattam, made the confirmation in a statement on Tuesday.

    Three gunmen and a policeman died in the attack carried out in the early hours of Monday. One other policeman was injured.

    The PPRO, said one other policeman died from the attack.

    Abattam said, “On 12/12/2022 at about 0330hours, armed bandits suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB and its armed affiliate, ESN, in their numbers, came to the INEC’s office along Port-Harcourt Road, New Owerri, shooting sporadically, and threw improvised explosives into the premises of the INEC from a petroleum filling station that share fence with the commission.”

     He added that, “At the INEC office, two offices were affected by the explosives and petrol bomb; however the main building remains intact.

    “The corpses of the neutralized hoodlums and that of the two police operatives, who paid the supreme price, were evacuated and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri and another operative who sustained bullet wound on his leg was rushed to the hospital for treatment and is in stable condition.

    “Meanwhile, concerted efforts are being made to arrest the fleeing suspects since they cannot go far, due to the various degrees of injuries they sustained in the gun duel.”

  • Obi Holds Mega Rally In Imo, Vows To End ASUU, Doctors’ Strikes

    Obi Holds Mega Rally In Imo, Vows To End ASUU, Doctors’ Strikes

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his running mate, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed on Tuesday vowed to end strikes by medical doctors and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if elected in 2023.

    Addressing a crowd of supporters at a mega rally in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Obi said Baba-Ahmed as his running mate, they will ensure that power is given back to the people especially youths and women. He also said job creation, investment in agriculture and prioritisation of exports will be top in their agenda.

    For the LP presidential candidate issues of ASUU strike, decay in the health sector and corruption will be a thing of the past.

    This is the first major campaign rally of Obi in Imo, and as the 2023 elections draw closer, the party in the state said more programmes will be initiated to woo the electorate ahead of the elections.

  • Another INEC Office Burnt To Ashes in Imo

    Another INEC Office Burnt To Ashes in Imo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that its office in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State has been set ablaze by arsonists.

    The development comes two days after suspected arsonists razed another office of the commission in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

    On November 27, 2022, an INEC office in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was set ablaze by unknown gunmen in Ebonyi State.

    The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, confirmed the latest incident in a statement on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

    According to him, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that the commission’s office in Oru West Local Government Area was attacked at about 4.00am on Sunday 4th December 2022.

    “The attack affected the Conference Room where office furniture and fittings were destroyed. However, other critical facilities were not affected,” Okoye said.

    He also recalled that on Thursday, December 1, 2022, INEC office in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State was also attacked.

    “Overall, this is the 7th attack on our facilities in five states of the federation in the last four months.

    “Once again, the commission expresses its concern on the consequences of what appears to be a systematic attack on its facilities across the country on the conduct of elections in particular and electoral activities in general.”

    He said the attention of the security agencies had been drawn to this latest incident for investigation and prosecution.

  • Hoodlums Set Ablaze INEC Office In Imo, Abduct Construction Workers

    Hoodlums Set Ablaze INEC Office In Imo, Abduct Construction Workers

    Hoodlums have set ablaze an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State, kidnapping some construction workers who were later rescued. 

    “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, reported that our office in Orlu Local Government Area was attacked. The incident occurred yesterday Thursday 1st December 2022,” INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said in a statement on Friday.

    “The building, which is undergoing extensive renovation following an earlier attack, was vandalised and partially set ablaze. Three out of seven construction workers were abducted but later released.”

    Okoye said the damage would have been more extensive barring the response of the police personnel who were quick in mobilising their men to the scene.

    “This is one attack too many. The Commission once again expresses its concern over the spate of attacks on its facilities and the negative consequences on our preparations for the 2023 General Election,” he added.

    Attacks on INEC offices have become commonplace across Nigeria with the nation set for the polls early next year.

    In November, several INEC offices were attacked with the Commission warning of the threat of intensifying campaign violence ahead of the election, adding that it had tracked at least 50 attacks in the last two months.

  • Four Catholic Rev Sisters Kidnapped in Imo

    Four Catholic Rev Sisters Kidnapped in Imo

    Gunmen wreaking havoc in parts of southeast have abducted four Reverend sisters of the Catholic Church in Imo State.

    A statement issued by The Sisters Of Jesus The Saviour (Generalate) disclosed that the women of God were abducted at the Okigwe-Umulolo area of the expressway.

    Sister Zita Ihedoro, the Secretary-General of the religious body, asked all religious faithful to pray for the quick and safe return of the victims.

    The statement which was tagged “sad news” read, “sisters Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu are kidnapped.

    “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great pain that we bring to your notice the kidnapping of four of our sisters mentioned above.

    “The sad event of their abduction occurred around Okigwe-Umulolo area this morning shortly after the sisters were on their way to thanksgiving mass of our sister.

    “We implore for intense prayer for their quick and safe release. May Jesus the savior listen to our prayers and may our mother Mary intercede for the unconditional release of our dear sisters.”

  • Gunmen Invade Police Station, kill 4 officers in Imo

    Gunmen Invade Police Station, kill 4 officers in Imo

    Four Nigerian Police Officers were killed on Friday night, August 5, when unknown gunmen attacked the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters in Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State.

    The assailants invaded the area shooting sporadically before gaining access into the station.

    According to a police source, the incident has triggered tension in the entire local government.

    He said the gunmen burnt some vehicles in the station and destroyed other valuable items.

    “There was an attack in the station and we learnt that about four officers were killed. The total damage cannot be ascertained at the moment,” he said.

  • Police Arrest Suspected Killers Of APC Chieftain Gulak, Others In Imo

    Police Arrest Suspected Killers Of APC Chieftain Gulak, Others In Imo

    Police authorities in Imo State say they have arrested one of the suspected killers of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Gulak.

    Mr Mike Abattam, the Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Police Command, disclosed this while briefing reporters on Monday in Owerri, the state capital.

    The suspect identified as Anosike Chimobi from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) of the state was apprehended one year after Gulak’s death.

    Gulak, a former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was murdered by a group of armed men on May 30, 2021, during a visit to Imo State.

    He was reportedly trailed from his hotel room to the spot where he was killed around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, close to the Sam Mbakwe Airport Road in Owerri.

    Parading the suspects alongside others, Abattam said Chimobi had been on the trail of the command since the killing of Gulak last year.

    He stated that the suspect escaped during a gun battle between police personnel and his gang members at Aboh Mbaise shortly after the murder of the APC chieftain where five of the suspects were killed.

    Chimobi, who also spoke with reporters, claimed to be a commercial bus driver and not a member of the criminal gang.

    He said Gulak’s killers approached him to convey them in his vehicle and he attempted to resist, but later gave in after they threatened to kill him.

    The suspect admitted that he drove the criminals to the spot and blocked Gulak’s vehicle which was on its way to the airport.

    According to him, they shot the APC chieftain after he resisted the demand by the gunmen that he should come down from the vehicle.

    Chimobi explained that the assailants later ran into a team of security operatives who shot repeatedly at the other vehicle conveying them until it somersaulted and caught fire.

    The command’s spokesman said that the police have also arrested other suspected criminals who have been terrorising communities in Imo.

    He explained that among those paraded were members of the gang who burnt the home of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor.

    Some of the items recovered from the suspects paraded by the police include guns of different calibre, assorted charms, and a live snake, among others.

  • CBN approves N2bn for artisans in Imo

    CBN approves N2bn for artisans in Imo

    The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has approved the sum of N2 billion to the Imo State government for the empowerment of artisans in the state.

    The Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Ford Ozumba, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Owerri, while announcing the Imo 2022 Entrepreneurial Product Expo in partnership with CBN.

    He said the Imo State government approached the CBN and was considered qualified to get the approval for the CBN loan.

    The Commissioner explained that; “The project was conceived to expose artisans of the state origin to trade, assist them to use their knowledge to migrate into the digital socio-formation, create structures and systems that would engage the youths into productive sectors as well as for them to train others to alleviate poverty and contribute in the efforts to improve the economy of the state.

    “The money is in partnership with CBN, the CBN has approved N2billion for Imo State. The money is not with us. It is in the bank. It will be disposed to youths in the trade. It is a loan from the CBN. The CBN has a facility for this project. We approach them and they said Imo was qualified. The money will be given to artisans. These artisans are already made.

    The artisans have associations we are working with So, as part of the activities for this project, we have a project starting on the 10th of May 2022, a weekly event, the first Imo State innovation and entrepreneurial exhibition in Owerri.

    “The state is blessed with several talented artisans and accomplished industrialists whose products such as solar energy and cold rooms compete favourably with foreign products but which are not exposed to the outside world for patronage.

    “We want to put our people on exhibition to showcase their talents, skills, ingenuity and creativity and with a well designed structured technology to expose this to the international community. They would be motivated to export their products and help our economy to grow,” he said.