Interesting Tourist Sites in Igboland


Events Organisers And The Foreign Tourist Syndrome

ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM
— Jan 11, 2014 | 1 Comment

The continued crave for foreign compensation as a way of fulfilling promises by event organisers is said to have given away many tourist opportunities in the country. Though many have refuted the insinuations, others believe the the Tourism Ministry has not done enough to give the much needed publicity it deserves. In this piece ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM takes a look at the many tourist sites in Nigeria and the wearisome development in view of some events organisers on the subject matter.

Tourism in Nigeria centres largely on events due to the country’s ample amount of ethnic groups. It also includes rain forests, savannah, waterfalls and other natural attractions. The industry, unfortunately, suffers from the country’s poor electricity, roads and water quality.
Tourist sites in Nigeria include festivals and cultural celebrations such as Durbar festivals, the nation’s national parks such as Old Oyo, Yankari, and Cross River National Parks), and other geographical sites. By far the most outstanding tourist zone is the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
Tourism minister, Edem Duke, rightly described the Mambilla Plateau as Nigeria’s ‘Crown Jewel of Tourism”(Blueprint, 15 August 2012; Bami-Yuno: Beyond Rhetoric: Mambilla Plateau and Tourism in Nigeria, April 2013).
Tourist Sites and attractions:
According to online Nigeria, there are many tourist sites in and around the country. While some are known by everyone, the younger generations prefer the publicised ones and find them not interesting enough due to the little or no interest by the keepers of the sites.
For instance, Azumini Blue River Rose is located in Abia State towards its boundary with Akwa lbom State. The river has become a resort for tourists because of the pleasantness it offers. The attractive features of the river include its crystal clear blue water, canoe rides, and sandy beaches with such relaxation facilities as chairs and tables. At the beach also, BBQ grills are delicacies provided for picnickers but the much needed publicity to attract tourists are not there.
In an interview with the CEO and president, Miss Ambassador For Peace Pageant, Kingsley Amafibe, he stated that many would not understand the rationale behind sending most of their winners out of the country for tourist vacations because they don’t know what it means by encouraging people to visit their country.
“Our queens have always been taken to the best tourist historical locations in Nigeria and they are worthwhile. The problem about ours is that we lack good publicity to sell it to other parts of the world. When people continue talking about insecurity and making noise about it, it sends tourists away. One of our cardinal principles is to promote peace and tourism in Nigeria. Those responsible should work towards selling our tourist attractions to the world – providing good roads and electricity to enhance the looks. Other countries tourist locations are not better than ours. It’s just the way they packaged themselves,” he insisted.
He also added that “sometimes we feel that our tourist sites don’t have what it takes to interest anybody. If you have visited South Africa, from the airport, you will find out that there are so many things that will interest you. The government should build more tourist centres. My experience in South Africa was so interesting because many tourist sites are there and you don’t know which one to choose from. The system should be reorganised because we have all it takes to make Nigeria a better place,” he explained.
Also speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend is a ‎concerned culture and tourism expert based in Abuja, Mr Matthew Afolabi, who insisted that tourism is free and no one can be forced. In his words he explained that only when the facilities are there that people could love to visit a place. “Take the Obudu Cattle Ranch and Tinapa for instance, on CNN, BBC you see how they publicise it internationally. You don’t just dwell on local impulse thinking that it will work that way. You said Nigerians are running out of the country to sell tourist opportunities. Don’t blame them. There are no new things to want to love. The younger generations are going to be worst if much emphasis is not laid on making sure that the sites are preserved and loved.
“Insecurity is another problem hindering tourism in Nigeria. When you have places like Jos, Borno and the rest always full of restiveness, don’t you think it would hinder people from visiting those places? We urge the authorities to fashion ways of making Nigeria, tourist sites attractive so that right from the airport, anyone coming to the country the first time will not lack places to visit,” he advised.
In addition, The Long Juju Shrine of Arochukwu is a famous tourist destination with the cave of the famous long juju oracle as a particular attraction.
The cave is believed to hold the long metal pipe through which the gods speak to the people. A traditional religionist would find the oracle quite an attraction. It is, first and foremost, a religious centre with a well laid down administrative structure headed by a chief priest.

Yola Municipality:
Yola is the capital of Adamawa State in the north-eastern part of the country. The most striking impression about the town is its undulating topography of hill chains particularly the three sister hills which are so-called because they stand side by side and share the same height. The cultural manifestations of the town get to their climax between the months of March and May when the city celebrates its fishing festival at Lake Njuwa.

Ibeno Beach:
One of the numerous fine beaches in Nigeria is the Ibeno Beach in Akwa lbom State. A lover of water sport finds the beach which stretches to James Town on the Atlantic most inviting.

Ogbunike Cave:
Ogbunike Cave can be described as the very wonder of nature. The Cave, segmented into sections, is found in Anambra State, some few kilometres away from the Onitsha market town. There are different stories about the various sections that constitute the cave. The stories are better told by the native tour guides.

Rojenny Tourist Village:
In Anambra State, just at the outskirts of Onitsha market town is found Rojenny Village, one of the leading tourist resorts in Nigeria. Among the many attractions of the village are amusement park, joy rides and sporting / relaxation facilities.

lgbo Ukwu:
lgbo Ukwu is an ancient town which has remained an attraction to tourists because of its bronze artifacts. The bronze which was first noticed in 1938 was later excavated by Thurstan Shaw, an English archaeologist.
The bronzes which date back to about the 9th century are of high value because of their historic relevance.

Yankari National Park:
Yankari National Park has become the most developed wildlife park in Nigeria with a lot of attractions for visitors. The park is famous for its varieties of animals available for viewing round the year, though the animals are better watched between November and May period of the dry season when the animals converge around the Gaji River.
Baboons, water ducks, elephants, crocodiles, bush ducks, duikers, warthogs, hippopotamus are among the animals commonly seen at the park.

Wikki Warm Springs:
This is a famous attraction in the Yankari National Park. It is particularly prized for its warm water. It is available both night and day for tourists who cherish swimming.
The National Park is located in the south-eastern area of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi State in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.

The Hills of Benue:
This is located in the north central region of Nigeria, Benue State shares boundaries with Taraba State on the east, Plateau State on the north, Edo State on the west, Anambra, Enugu and Cross River States on the South. The entire land mass presents hills of various shades and touristic appeals.
lkyogen Hills exude mild weather condition which ensures steady green vegetation and a round-the-year grazing of animals in the area which is also known as Ikyogen Cattle Ranch.
Bassa Hills, like the Ushogbo Hills, are worth visiting especially for their satisfying scenery; and Swern Hills are valued for their historical linkages. The hills are believed to be the place for origin of the Tiv people.
Ushogbo Hills in Ushogbo town also offer clement weather condition that makes it most fulfilling spot for tourists and adventures.

Lake Chad:
Lake Chad occupies a strategic location serving not only Borno State of Nigeria where it is located but serving also the three neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroon and Chad. The lake, apart from serving the agricultural and economic needs of the people, attracts a great number of tourists. Of paramount interest to tourists are the boating opportunity and visits to the numerous fishing villages in the area.

Obudu Cattle Ranch:
Obudu Cattle Ranch is located in Cross River State towards the Nigeria-Cameroon border in the south-east. The ranch is over 1,524m, has temperate weather condition to ensure green vegetation and grazing of cattle round the year. It is a tourist delight as a result of its divergent attractions. There are a natural swimming pool, horse riding, beautiful waterfall to behold, gorilla camp, bird watching, sporting facilities and accommodation.

Agbokim Waterfalls:
Some short distance away from the Nigeria-Cameroon border is the very captivating sight called Agbokim Waterfalls. Situated in Cross River State, it lies less than 30km from Ikom and is highly recommended for picnics. The falls are pleasantly surrounded by green vegetation.

Silicon Hill:
Near the Nkpologu Campus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is found this very important mineral deposit. The hill which is more than 300 metres above sea level and almost half a kilometre long has silica, an important raw material for the manufacture of glasses. The surrounding environment is very captivating with hills, valleys and plains beautifully wrapped up such that one cannot ignore its breathtaking views and awe inspiring blend.

Mbari Cultural Centre:
This is the home of Mbari sculptural houses. These sculptures are robust art manifestations of the prevalent social life and a monumental art sacrifice to “ALA” the earth goddess. In Mbari, Imo State, there are very many objects like the terrorising beasts, the plastic forms of symbols of the prevalent deities among which is the “ALA” herself, the Amadioha (god of thunder), the Ogwugwu (forest god). Each deity with their mystical messengers such as snakes, monkeys, rams, tortoise and owls are properly represented. A number of symbolic models were sculptured or painted. These sculptures reflect the lgbo aesthetics. The Mbari Cultural Centre is an open air museum and found in Ikenegbu layout Owerri and at Eke-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise.
Oguta Lake Holiday Complex:
The holiday complex situates in Oguta local government area of Imo State about 40km away from Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The lake is of fresh water and is the second largest natural lake in the country after Lake Chad. To complement the complex water-based recreation services.

Birnin Kudu Rock Painting:
Birnin Kudu town lies in the south of Jigawa State. It is known for the presence of rocks. Fascinating are the ancient paintings on these rocks. The different paintings are eloquent information on the styles of the early settlers in the area.

NOK Village:
A trip to the Nok Village in Kaduna State launches visitors into physical romance with the so much talked about culture of the Nok people. The cultures have been known for over 2,500 years. The Nok culture is better appreciated appraising the excavations made by the numerous scholars and research. Terra cotta, heads of animals and human beings, and weapons of war are abundant on display.
Though the aforementioned might not be the only tourist locations in Nigeria, Nigerians and patrons should love more of their own and government should provide attractive facilities and upgrade dilapidated ones to enhance tourism.
In other words, more publicity should be given to the industry right from the airport. There should be people responsible for it.
Events organisers, according to popular opinion, are less concerned about their business because if the culture and tourism ministry has what it takes, there won’t be much movement from Nigeria for tourism.

http://leadership.ng/entertainment/311473/events-organisers-and-the-foreign-tourist-syndrome

You maybe wondering if these are pictures of Washington DC or Dublin; well these are pictures of Igboland, Owerri, Imo State to be precise. ALA IGBO WU OTU !!! K'ANYI GBAMGBO ME KO DI MMA

[size=48pt]Owerri is sexxxxxxxxxxxxxxy[/size]

More Pictures of Imo State, the Eastern Heartland. Imo State is for all Easterners, it is a beautiful, lovely, livable and hospitable place to be in Africa. All persons who loves good things should think of visiting and contributing to the growth and development of Imo State. ALA IGBO MARA MMA !!! ONYE AHANNA NWANNE YA MAKA IGBO WU OTU !!!

Chukwu gozie Ala Igbo.
Op,you are another spider.
I love how you handling thìs thread,and also how spider is handling Enugu thread.
May God bless you two.

Op,this Owerri pics reminds me of Europe.

Masters Energy to hire 3000 staff on Petrochemicals plant

By Anayo Korie

Ag Energy Editor

Masters Energy Group of Companies has set the ball rolling to address unemployment problem ravaging Nigerian youths, with plans to hire over 3000 direct workers at its multi-billion Petrochemical Complex located in Uturu, Abia state when completed and streamed up by the first quarter of 2015, the Vice Chairman /CEO of the company, Mr Vincent Ajala has said .

Ajala who addressed newsmen who paid a courtesy visit to company in Lagos over the weekend said, the plant has reached about 80 per cent completion, adding that when operational by next year it is expected to produce fertilizer, plastic products and other bye-products that will aid the production of consumer and producer goods in the country.

He explained that the product of the plant would be sold to both domestic and foreign markets which will go a long way to earn more income to the all the stakeholders .

The Executive Director and Company Secretary , Mrs Patience Dappa who spoke at the event explained that the main objective of building the Petrochemical complex was geared at creating more jobs in the catchment states of Imo, Abia, Anambra and Enugu where the plants were located ,adding that the project when operational will take some many people away from the labour market and engage in productive ventures aimed at improving national economy.

[b]The Masters Energy boss said work was also ongoing on the multi-billion Masters Energy integrated industrial complex in Isikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
Ogah further stated that the project would boost the economy of the state by attracting investments to the city.

He noted that seven companies comprising fertilizer plant, plastic plant, lubricant plants that produce engine oil, grease, hydraulic, transmission oil, and gear, noodles plant, and steel plant, all of which are at over 70 per cent completion were already springing up within his company’s industrial city in Abia State.
Ogah said he never knew his modest contribution in job creation and entrepreneurial growth in the country would merit any recognition, adding that he never solicited for or paid for any of the numerous awards he had received.
He noted that seven companies comprising fertilizer plant, plastic plant, lubricant plants that produce engine oil, grease, hydraulic, transmission oil, and gear, noodles plant, and steel plant, all of which are at over 70 per cent completion were already springing up within his company’s industrial city in Abia State.[/b]

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/masters-energy-hire-3000-staff-petrochemicals-plant/

http://sweetcrudereports.com/2014/02/18/masters-energy-targets-42000-workforce-in-2014/

WOW !!! This is good news to Ndi Igbo

RareDiamonds:
Masters Energy to hire 3000 staff on Petrochemicals plant

By Anayo Korie

Ag Energy Editor

Masters Energy Group of Companies has set the ball rolling to address unemployment problem ravaging Nigerian youths, with plans to hire over 3000 direct workers at its multi-billion Petrochemical Complex located in Uturu, Abia state when completed and streamed up by the first quarter of 2015, the Vice Chairman /CEO of the company, Mr Vincent Ajala has said .

Ajala who addressed newsmen who paid a courtesy visit to company in Lagos over the weekend said, the plant has reached about 80 per cent completion, adding that when operational by next year it is expected to produce fertilizer, plastic products and other bye-products that will aid the production of consumer and producer goods in the country.

He explained that the product of the plant would be sold to both domestic and foreign markets which will go a long way to earn more income to the all the stakeholders .

The Executive Director and Company Secretary , Mrs Patience Dappa who spoke at the event explained that the main objective of building the Petrochemical complex was geared at creating more jobs in the catchment states of Imo, Abia, Anambra and Enugu where the plants were located ,adding that the project when operational will take some many people away from the labour market and engage in productive ventures aimed at improving national economy.

[b]The Masters Energy boss said work was also ongoing on the multi-billion Masters Energy integrated industrial complex in Isikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
Ogah further stated that the project would boost the economy of the state by attracting investments to the city.

He noted that seven companies comprising fertilizer plant, plastic plant, lubricant plants that produce engine oil, grease, hydraulic, transmission oil, and gear, noodles plant, and steel plant, all of which are at over 70 per cent completion were already springing up within his company’s industrial city in Abia State.
Ogah said he never knew his modest contribution in job creation and entrepreneurial growth in the country would merit any recognition, adding that he never solicited for or paid for any of the numerous awards he had received.
He noted that seven companies comprising fertilizer plant, plastic plant, lubricant plants that produce engine oil, grease, hydraulic, transmission oil, and gear, noodles plant, and steel plant, all of which are at over 70 per cent completion were already springing up within his company’s industrial city in Abia State.[/b]

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/masters-energy-hire-3000-staff-petrochemicals-plant/

http://sweetcrudereports.com/2014/02/18/masters-energy-targets-42000-workforce-in-2014/

Donmarrius:
Chukwu gozie Ala Igbo.
Op,you are another spider.
I love how you handling thìs thread,and also how spider is handling Enugu thread.
May God bless you two.

Thanks bro !!! Your appreciation of my small efforts motivates me to do more.

RareDiamonds:
Imo State is the Joy and Beauty of Africa !!! Ala Igbo mara mma nke ukwu !!!!

^^^Na wah oh bros! You think you could ease up on the effusive praise.....just a li'l bit!?


PS- Nice pics though!

More investments are coming to Igboland

FG Plans Free Trade Zone for Enugu State

15 Aug 2014

John Iwori

The federal government and the Enugu State Government have concluded plans to site a free trade zone (FTZ) in the state. The FTZ is aimed fully maximising the full benefits of the international status of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.

In the same vein, the government is making the airport a transshipment air cargo port to service the West African sub-region as well as other South East states in the country.

The Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime who dropped the hint said President Goodluck Jonathan would soon grant his official approval for the project.

Speaking while the Executive Council of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) visited him in the state, Chime stated that the state was working towards harnessing the full potentials inherent in the new status of the Enugu airport.

He promised to partner with NAGAFF on sundry ideas put forward to his government so as to generate employment opportunities and grow the economy of the state.

Already, Jonathan had directed the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to move in and ensure the actualisation of the project.

The executive members of NAGAFF led by their National President, Chief Eugene Nweke, had earlier in his opening remarks sought the collaboration of the state government on establishing the transshipment hub; Inland Container Depot (ICD); e-commerce transaction in the air cargo industry, among others.

“We came to intimate you and the government of Enugu State of our desire to partner with your administration in the area of proper management, administration and operation of an International Airport, to maximize the benefits,” he said.

Calling on the State Government to encourage and sponsor some youths in the state to take up freight forwarding profession, Nweke emphasized the need for the state to invest in skill development, reminding them that degree programmes relating to logistics and supply chain management are now run by some national and private universities.

Nweke highlighted the benefits of the proposed FTZ and its allied transshipment hub in Enugu as boosting commercial activities by engendering the establishment of small and medium scale industries; improving the revenue base of the state; creating job opportunities, thereby reducing crime rate.

To further boost the revenue base of the state, NAGAFF urged the state government to introduce airport landing fee or cargo dues at the international airport.

His words: “From our vantage position, we say authoritatively that the South-East can boast of numerous big players in the logistics chain industry. They are more than willing to diversify their cargo traffic through other airports to Enugu because the Lagos Airport especially and the routes around it, are congested. So efforts should be geared towards making the Akanu Ibiam International Airport attractive to importers and freight forwarders to divert their cargoes to the airport."

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-plans-free-trade-zone-for-enugu/186356/

ISIPA Partners With Chinese Firm To Revamp Moribund Industries In Imo State
by 247ureports
March 25, 2014

The Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, ISIPA, has signed an
agreement with a China- based investment firm, Technotrade, to assist
small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and revamp ailing and
moribund industries in the state.

Addressing journalists after a meeting with the representatives of the
company in Owerri, the chairman and chief executive officer of ISIPA,
Hon. Harmony Aguoru said the agreement was geared towards uplifting
the fortunes of the small and medium scale industries in the state.

He said the state government was concerned that many companies
operating in the state closed shops soon after their establishment,
saying that such a situation was not good for industrial development
of the state.

Part of the partnership deal, Aguoru said, was to find out the reasons
some companies were not doing well in the state with a view to
providing assistance for them.

He disclosed that the agency was making an arrangement to link
industrialists in the to such intervention agencies of the federal
government as the Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA),
Nigeria Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank and other financial
institutions that coul aid them to perform optimally.

Aguoru added that the agency had now opened a data base of the sectors
where the state has comparative advantage to enable investors cue in
without difficulties, adding that the agency had decided to play
advisory roles to investors.

The ISIPA boss also hinted that through the partnership of
Technotrade, the state had now established a liaison office in the
city of Kenjeng, China where Imo businessmen could seek for
investments in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture and general
services.

With the relationship, he said, there would be an economic summit
tagged ‘Imo-China Investment Summit’, which he said would hold in
Kenjeng in the middle of this year.

Speaking also, the leader of Technotrade Global Services, Mr. Chris
Igwe said the company was coming to the state to assist the government
in revamping the SMEs sector, by ensuring that they get the labour,
cash flow and chain supply in cluster development.

He also said the firm would want to address the investment flow from
each council area so as to enable the ISIPA ascertain where certain
industries should be cited.

With the support of the people of the state, he said, their intention
was to make the state a one-stop investment centre.

http://247ureports.com/?p=50430

Anambra, ACA begin construction of Onitsha Mall
October 6, 2014 by Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi

Construction works have begun on the Anambra State Government and African Capital Alliance-sponsored Onitsha Mall and will be completed by the second quarter of 2015.

According to the promoters, the project is motivated by the need to drive retail business in the eastern part of the country and the recent trends in retail market growth in Onitsha in particular.

They added that there was a growing demand for modern retail outlets in an underserved market with a budding population of over 1.5 million people as well as the presence of oil and gas firms owing to the recent discovery of oil in the area.

The investors said despite its growth, the city and its environs had no world-class retail centre.

The representative of ACA, Mr. Obi Nwogugu, stated at the Onitsha Mall Retailers Forum held in Lagos recently the mall would attract private capital into Anambra State.

Nwogugu said the mall would be anchored by popular South African retail outlet, Shoprite, with 52 inline shops, and would offer a serene shopping experience to retailers and customers.

According to him, the Onitsha Mall will feature 12,100 square metres of net lettable space, 24 hours electricity and security, parking bays that can accommodate 500 vehicles, six local and international restaurants, central air conditioning, Automatic Teller Machine gallery and space for banks.

“Anambra State was ranked second in telecommunications disposable income and highest in commercial and microfinance banks branches in Eastern Nigeria, and attracted investment worth $120m from South African Breweries, which is currently planning to double its investment due to the success of the business,” Nwogugu explained.

According to him, the Onitsha Mall is a development project sponsored by African Capital Alliance and the Anambra State Government, with Diamond Bank Plc as the debt financier.

“In terms of safety of lives and property, the state has recently made significant investment in security equipment and personnel in the city, which has created an enabling environment for business to thrive,” he said.

The Project Manager, Pro-M Limited, Mr. Chuka Okoye, said the construction work was being handled by Akiota Works Limited, which took over from the former contractor, Technics Construction Company.

According to him, the project will be completed before the opening date of May 2015, while all proposed tenants are expected to start occupying their spaces from February 1, 2015, with an 30 to 60 days for shop fit-outs.

Okoye added that the mall would be managed by Broll Nigeria Limited upon completion.

http://www.punchng.com/business/homes-property/anambra-aca-begin-construction-of-onitsha-mall/

UPDC begins construction of Asaba Pineville Estate
October 13, 2014 by Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi

UACN Property Development Company has announced the commencement of construction work on its Pineville Estate, a one-hectare piece of land in the Asaba GRA.

The Managing Director, UPDC, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran, said the estate would be completed in 15 months and would have first class infrastructure and facilities for families who valued comfort.

According to him, the choice of Asaba as a destination for the company is informed by UPDC’s strategic thrust of extending developments to other parts of the country aside the main cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

He added that there was also the need to fill the 400,000 housing deficit in Asaba, which accounts for about 2.5 per cent of the housing deficit in the country.

Ogunniran said, “Asaba has been identified as one of the emerging real estate markets due to the current rapid growth and industrialisation. There is also relative security and public perception of safety is a boost for urbanisation and a demand driver for residential and commercial real estate.

“The high level of economic activities in neighbouring Onitsha also has a positive impact on both the residential and commercial real estate markets.”

According to him, Pineville Estate features a contemporary design of 20 housing units, including four units of five-bedroom detached houses and 16 units of four-bedroom semi detached houses.

“It will be a fully serviced estate. With the public introduction of the Pineville Estate, we have had official endorsement from the state government and it has encouraged us to do more,” he added.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, said the city would experience a turning point in real estate development with the construction of the estate.

Utuama said, “I commend UACN Property Development Company for its choice of Asaba. This is a turning point for property development in the state. Your partnership with both the people and the state government should not end with this ceremony.

“Your presence will further expand and deepen the partnership between UPDC and the state government. It is really ennobling when private sector organisations complement the government in the pursuit of sustainable development.”

He said the construction of the estate marked yet another milestone in the quest to improve the housing condition of the people of the state.

“This is, therefore, coming at the right time considering the rising demand for housing as a result of the ever increasing population of our urban centres, especially Asaba, the state capital. The entrance of UACN Property Development Company will stimulate socioeconomic development in the state,” the deputy governor said.

http://www.punchng.com/business/homes-property/updc-begins-construction-of-asaba-pineville-estate/

Imo State the Eastern Heartland Maintains Academic Excellence

Academic and interllectual excellence still remains the offshoot of scholars at every level of education in Imo state. Recently high school students from the state bagged the highest position in the final round of the zonal school competition.
Imo state governor has congratulated the students who have done the state proud by winning the first position in the south eastern zone in the national school quiz organized by the Nigeria national petroleum corporation NNPC for the 2014 zonal finals of the competition. In a release signed by the senior special assistant to the governor on media Mr Sam Onwuemodo, Governor Okorocha also congratulated the schools that produced the students and their parents, adding that the students were good ambassadors of the state.

The governor said the excellent performance of the students and the NNPC organized school quiz was an additional testimony to their enviable results of the qualitative free education policy of the state government which has also spurred private schools in the state to work very hard to retain their students and to attract new ones.
The NNPC organized national school quiz competition which to place at Ibeku High school Umuahia – the Abia state capital had the students’ knowledge tested in English language, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics.
Imo state came first with sixty points, while Anambra state came second with fifty points, Enugu state came third with forty five points, Ebonyi state came fourth with thirty points and Abia state bagged the fifth position with 25 points. The students who represented the state in the competition are Adadalam Obinna Tony and Aputazie Ijeoma Sylvia both from Living Word Academy School Nkwerre. Okezie Emmanuel Tochukwu is of the Christ the King Grammar School Okigwe.

It has been notable for the state to be leading in public examination and academic competition to the country in recent times and the state government says it would leave no unturned to sustain the tempo in the overall interest of the state in particular and the society at large.

http://heraldnewsmagazine.com/eastern-heartland-maintains-academic-excellence/

Exclusive :Can Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu’s 140 Million Dollars Investment In Awka Survive? Niccus Employers Cry For Help!

Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former House of Representative Member and Evangelist as well as an Industrilaist weekend broke a cheering news that his multi million dollar investment in Awka is set to be commissioned, but Anambrarians are receiving the news with a pinch of salt based on the agonies of those working at Niccus Industries Limited. Discover yourself below:


Odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports that Ukachukwu is a dogged fighter even in politics and all he had laid his hands on even in beating mercilessly political opponents but that announcement is with a hiccup.

As a former gubernatorial aspirant in the state under PDP and later Hope party, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu was outstanding and marches money for money and force to force with all major contenders. He could have been in the senate now representing Anambra South senatorial zone but for smartness of Chief Chris Ubah that outshine his own smartness and his brother Senator Andy Ubah is there now.

At a stakeholders meeting at the Governor’s lodge weekend Prince Ukachukwu announced that his $140m investment in Awka would soon be ready for commissioning while he was perfecting plans to cite more industries in other parts of the state.

He commended the governor for demonstrating a deep sincerity of purpose and assured him of his support as well as his belief in his ability to deliver on his promise to Ndi Anambra, odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports exclusively.

But the fears stemmed from the investment at Onitsha Niccus industries limited manufacturing over 21 domestic products including ladies sanitary towels , baby diapers , pencils , medicated , Antiseptic , Toilet and Bar soap, plastic bottles and bottled water.
Others are Instant noodles , Jute sack and Ghana must go bags , converted papers and cartons , can juice as well as Polythene and shopping bags
Niccus Industries limited is located at Nkpor Junction and before now was beehive of activities employing over 6,000 direct and about 1,000 indirect staff .

But today staff are owed several months of salary and the place is a ghost of itself with many resigning and going without their entitlements.

It was alleged that the manager who happens to be a relative of the Prince ran the place aground as one could not reconcile the business acumen in Prince and Princess estate as well as many international schools that are a huge success to the Niccus delima which is an irony, odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports further.
Niccus is a subsidiary of SNECOU Group of companies.

But the Managing Director of Niccus Industries Limited , Pastor Oguine told odogwuemekaodogwu.com that all hope was not lost to resuscitate the factory back to its footings as every efforts have been put in place by the chairman Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu to revamp the ailing factory.

He blamed the previous governments in the state of being responsible for the predicament the factory is suffering because the Chairman of the company Prince Ukachukwu is in politics , his efforts were allegedly frustrated leading to the suffering of the over 7,000 staff in the company.

He decried the pains and agonies thousands of workers there went through because of adverse government policies without knowing that it would not be the Chairman of the company that would suffer the pains but the masses employed there. He hoped soonest all the agonies would be in the past.

And because the MD was skeptical of odogwuemekaodogwu.com , he was not troubled further about some salient points about Niccus like how many years staff were owed salary and stuff like that.

http://odogwuemekaodogwu..com/2014/06/exclusive-can-prince-nicholas.html#_

Nice developments!

nice one rarediamonds, it appears our sisters have more sense than us the male folks who would rather choose to fight each other than promote igboland as u r doing. God bless ur efforts

shady26:
nice one rarediamonds, it appears our sisters have more sense than us the male folks who would rather choose to fight each other than promote igboland as u r doing. God bless ur efforts

Thanks bro !!! I am a male. This thread is to promote unity among Ndi Igbo on Nairaland.

I can not and will not relent in emphasizing that our future isn't only in large industrial investments, but it the rise of millions of small medium industries that can prosper from contracts with these mega plants and government. Supplying them with parts, chemicals, equipment and so forth. We have mastered to formula of small to medium sized commerce. It's rare to find a people so intimately entrenched in global commercial trade at all levels outside of alaigbo. we must now focus individually and collectively on mastering the formula of up start industry so that our children will have room to master the art of science needed to make the industries they inherit a global force.


The model provided buy Innoson should be the template. Import, then master the art of disassembling and assembling in the country so that you can fit more per container and profits will boom. In due time learn to make interchangeable parts at home. Import a percentage of parts that you cant duplicate or no location can duplicate. Sell the parts individuals at home can duplicate and use a fraction of the sales money to pay the duplicator for the goods and or his service. After time expand the amount of products you can make or get at home more cheaply until your rich enough to place a manufacturing and assembly plant in your village. With Industry you can place your operations in your own village unlike commerce where its safer from marauding almajiri and agberos, oppressive lagosian tax and demolition policies and big city cost of living cost of operation and hassle.


On the political level we must assure that rural igboland is a tax haven. In the near future government budgets will be majority IGR and we can't allow over taxation or double taxation to starve out business like in Lagos. We have to fight for oil states like abia imo and now anambra to get their 13% allocation like niger delta states so that tax doesn't become a necessity.

With parts being made as close as nnewi, onitcha, orlu, and aba it will be infinitely cheaper to follow this course to wealth at home than in Lagos. The seaport in Awka Ibom will be finished in no less than 6 years. We should push for rivers and calabars ports to be international as well to keep the cost of importing low and movement fast due to competition.


More important than anything we should refocus or reclaiming port harcourt which was stolen during the war from igbos with the help of less than loyal igbos. PH has the consumer market and port needed to make manufacturing a success and has historically been igbo territory until 40 years ago due to treachery. PH was a melting pot for all igbos and such a place in needed for our unity and advancement.

Ikengawo:
I can not and will not relent in emphasizing that our future isn't only in large industrial investments, but it the rise of millions of small medium industries that can prosper from contracts with these mega plants and government. Supplying them with parts, chemicals, equipment and so forth. We have mastered to formula of small to medium sized commerce. It's rare to find a people so intimately entrenched in global commercial trade at all levels outside of alaigbo. we must now focus individually and collectively on mastering the formula of up start industry so that our children will have room to master the art of science needed to make the industries they inherit a global force.


The model provided buy Innoson should be the template. Import, then master the art of disassembling and assembling in the country so that you can fit more per container and profits will boom. In due time learn to make interchangeable parts at home. Import a percentage of parts that you cant duplicate or no location can duplicate. Sell the parts individuals at home can duplicate and use a fraction of the sales money to pay the duplicator for the goods and or his service. After time expand the amount of products you can make or get at home more cheaply until your rich enough to place a manufacturing and assembly plant in your village. With Industry you can place your operations in your own village unlike commerce where its safer from marauding almajiri and agberos, oppressive lagosian tax and demolition policies and big city cost of living cost of operation and hassle.


On the political level we must assure that rural igboland is a tax haven. In the near future government budgets will be majority IGR and we can't allow over taxation or double taxation to starve out business like in Lagos. We have to fight for oil states like abia imo and now anambra to get their 13% allocation like niger delta states so that tax doesn't become a necessity.

With parts being made as close as nnewi, onitcha, orlu, and aba it will be infinitely cheaper to follow this course to wealth at home than in Lagos. The seaport in Awka Ibom will be finished in no less than 6 years. We should push for rivers and calabars ports to be international as well to keep the cost of importing low and movement fast due to competition.


More important than anything we should refocus or reclaiming port harcourt which was stolen during the war from igbos with the help of less than loyal igbos. PH has the consumer market and port needed to make manufacturing a success and has historically been igbo territory until 40 years ago due to treachery. PH was a melting pot for all igbos and such a place in needed for our unity and advancement.

We can succeed, grow and develop with or without Port Harcourt if we get our acts and our policies right.

Ebonyi State at the Dawn of Infrastructural Transformation
Posted on Monday, 16 June 2014, 12:05 am by The City Reporters in COLUMN with 0 Comments

By Jeff Amechi Agbodo
Gov Martin Elechi

Gov Martin Elechi

Ebonyi is one of the new generations of states which came into existence in October1, 1996. The State is generally well known for its agricultural and solid mineral endowments. Over the years, the famous Abakaliki rice has become an emblem of identity of the area following the commercial cultivation of local rice there which is in great demand all over the country. Ebonyi State took its name from the Ebonyi River which traverses the entire state like a troubadour.

Although Ebonyi State prides itself as “the salt of the nation”, time was, when many visitors to the state chose to call it “the dust of the nation” owing to the copious haze of dust which trails any movement through the bad roads across the state. Incidentally, bad roads were only a small part of the development challenges which confronted Ebonyi state at its creation. Like many other states in the country, Ebonyi state continues to grapple with the challenges of education, healthcare and water delivery and rural electrification among others.

Remarkably, 17 years after its creation, the State has greatly changed for the better. In particular, the last 7 years has witnessed a new burst of energy and activity especially in the area of infrastructural transformation of the agrarian state. The subsisting infrastructural rebirth of the state is the product of Governor Martin Elechi’s effort to match his words with action. It would be recalled that in his inaugural address to Ebonyi people in May 29, 2007 following his swearing-in, Governor Elechi had outlined a pragmatic development blueprint for the State anchored on infrastructural development and attitudinal change. After 7 years in the saddle, the verdict of the people is that the state government has kept faith with its promises with the following sectors in view.

ROADS AND BRIDGES:

If there is one sector where the government has made the greatest impact in the last 7 years, it is probably in the area of construction of roads and bridges. Following a comprehensive and ambitious programme of action, the Ebonyi landscape was virtually turned into a theater of construction with the construction of an initial 19 bridges and 164km access roads. The scope of the project, codenamed Ebonyi Unity bridges and access was later expanded to 36 bridges, and about 200 kilometer-access roads connecting all the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. The challenge of constructing roads and bridges in Ebonyi State is heightened by the topography of the state interspersed with undulating hills and valleys, crisscrossed by the Ebonyi River which traverses all parts of the state.

A remarkable feature of the infrastructural development drive of the state is that in many places, the construction efforts actually represent the very first time in history in which the people of those areas witnessed alphalted roads and concrete bridges since the world began.

Another significant feature of the infrastructural drive is that the state government is not limiting itself to the usual demarcation of duties in terms of state and federal roads. It is for this reason that the state government took the responsibility of constructing the 42 kilometer Abakaliki-Oferekpe road with 6 bridges. The state had undertaken the dualization of part of Abakaliki-Afikpo road and Abakaliki-Enugu expressway which recently extended to the gate of the state university which are federal roads.

Today, to the joy of the project communities and other road users, such roads as the Okposi-Uburu-Nkerefi road, the Onicha Igboeze internal roads, the Amagu-Nwezenyi road, the Abakaliki Urban roads and many others have been completed and in use. The bridges at Ezzama, Idembia, Noyo, Onuebonyi Echara, Agba, Akaeze, Unwana and Ukaba along with their access roads have been completed to mention only a few.

According to Governor Martin Elechi, “the emphasis on roads and bridges is borne out of the recognition that it is the primary condition upon which the development of other sectors depends”. There is no doubt that with the on-going infrastructural transformation of the state, Ebonyi is on the threshold of a new socio-economic era.

INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE:

[b]One of the most outstanding feats of Ebonyi State Government in the last 7 years is the recovery of 948.7 hectares of former army land in Abakaliki capital city. Through a land exchange deal with the Nigerian Army, the state government acquired a new geographical space for the development of a modern satellite town known as the Ocho Udo city. The development of this new city is already in progress with the construction of an ultra- modern secretariat complex of 11 blocks of 4 storeys each. This gigantic project was awarded to a foreign construction firm Marlum Nigeria Ltd which has been completed awaiting furnishing. Also in progress at the Ocho Udo city, is an international market covering a land space of 54 hectares with 5,600 lock up stores. It is expected that when the project is completed which is currently at 90 percent completion, the old Abakpa main market will be relocated to this new facility to decongest the Abakaliki city centre.

Another vital institutional infrastructure undertaken by the Elechi’s administration is the construction of an ultra-modern Staff Development Centre in Abakaliki. The project is designed to take care of the training needs of all categories of the state workforce to enhance their capacity for optimum productivity; the centre had trained at least 4,000 workers so far while the training is ongoing in batches. The project which has been completed at the cost of N255 million and equipped with furniture, gadgets and multi-media appliances worth N200 million.

Furthermore, the state government also constructed a new Deputy-Governor’s lodge and new Chief Judge’s quarters in Abakaliki.[/b]

EDUCATION:

Upon its creation in October 1996, Ebonyi state was acknowledged as the only educationally disadvantaged state in the South-East geopolitical zone. Aware of the importance of education as a driver of development, successive administrations in the state have placed education at the commanding height of their priorities. The state government’s education drive received a major boost under the civilian administration of the former Governor Dr. Sam Egwu following the introduction of the free and compulsory primary and secondary education initiative.

Under the incumbent administration of Chief Martin Elechi, the free education scheme has been sustained in addition to the introduction of the return to boarding school programme. Under this initiative, 27 secondary schools were selected for the pilot scheme and were provided with academic infrastructure and requisite boarding facilities at the cost of over N800 million. These 27 pilot schools, spread in the 13 local Government Areas of the state, are further complemented with 3 technical schools including building of the Girls Technical School, Agba and vocational colleges located at the 3 senatorial zones of the State.

In addition to the extension of bursary awards to disabled students from the state, the government is also shouldering the sponsorship of undergraduate and postgraduate students in various foreign universities. Apart from the primary and secondary levels of education, tertiary education has also received serious attention from the state government. In this regard, the government has sustained the funding of Ebonyi State University and the state college of Education Ikwo. This has accounted for the smooth running and infrastructural development of these institutions. The state government provided 6 luxury buses to the state university to ease the student’s transportation problem. Also there is ongoing construction of pilot model hostels for both male and female students as well as the provision of faculty buildings and the security fencing and transmission of water into the campus at Ezzangbo in readiness of single campus system.

WATER AND HEALTHCARE DELIVERY:

In times past, Ebonyi State used to be associated with guinea worm and other water borne diseases. Such state of affairs has changed with improvements in hygienic water supply to the people through the provision of hand pumps and boreholes in the rural areas. However, upon his assumption of office, Governor Elechi adopted a holistic approach to evolve a long term solution to the problem of water supply. In this regard, the administration embarked on the rehabilitation of the existing Ezilo water scheme at a contract sum of N788.4 million.

The administration also initiated the establishment of additional 2 gigantic water schemes. These are the Ukawu water scheme awarded to an Israeli water Engineering firm and the Oferekpe water scheme awarded to another Isreali water Engineering firm. Each of these water schemes is designed to produce 100 million cubic litres of water per day and will be reticulated to all parts of the state to put a permanent stop to the problem of pipe borne water supply. The governor had said that the Oferekpe water reticulations to various local government areas and communities would be completed by his administration but will ensure that the water will be used in Abakaliki before his exit. While these new water schemes are on course, the state government is also maintaining existing water installations such as the old Abakaliki water-works and the Ogberehi and Unwana water schemes.

In the health sector, the Elechi administration has, in the last 7 years, demonstrated a keen understanding of the linkage between health and development. In pursuit of its policy of public-private partnership, the government initiated the programme of extending financial grants to selected non-governmental mission hospitals in the state. So far, the sum of N1.92billion has been disbursed to 6 of such mission hospitals viz: Mater Mesericordiae Hospital Afikpo, the Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu, Mile 4 Hospital Abakaliki, Sudan United Mission Hospital Izzi, St. Vincent Hospital Ndubia and Rural Improvement Hospital, Ikwo. Interestingly, the State Government’s stimulus package to these hospitals has breathed a new lease of life into the institutions whose operations were previously constrained by a combination of obsolete equipment and the dearth of skilled manpower.

These programmes are complemented by the efforts of the wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Mrs. Josephine Elechi whose war against Vesico Virginal Festula (VVF) has been acclaimed nationally and internationally. Under the scheme, Mrs. Elechi constructed a VVF repair centre in Abakaliki, in which over 300 patients from across the federation have been repaired, free of charge. Other health intervention programmes of the Governor’s wife include the safe motherhood project, Orphans and Vulnerable Children programme, relief for people living with HIV/AIDS and the Breast and Cervical Cancer project. Indeed, the health sector has faired admirably in 3 years of Elechi’s administration.

While it is difficult to comprehensively itemize the achievements of Ebonyi State government in the last 7 years, its strides in the agricultural sector deserves special mention. Apart from floating a tractor Hire service with the procurement of 200 brand new tractors, the government has also maintained a regime of incentives for Ebonyi farmers by way of soft loans, subsidization of fertilizer and distribution of improved agricultural inputs. To boost youth participation in agriculture, the state government undertook the sponsorship of 73 Ebonyi farmers to a training programme in Songhai Benin Republic. The trained youths have been given financial assistance of N 266 million to set up their agricultural outfit of their choice.

In order to decongest the Abakaliki rice mill, the state government has established 3 modern rice mill cluster one in senatorial zone which has started milling rice in Ikwo, Izzi and Osso Edda respectively. The modern rice milling machines worth N1.4 billion were supplied from Satake Corporation of Japan.

With the numerous achievements of the present administration in Ebonyi State in all sectors of the economy including the establishment of a new stone crushing estate at Ezza Umuoghara at the cost of N650 million, the construction of new digital radio and television stations at the cost of N2.4 billion among others, it is safe to say that Governor Elechi has kept faith with his promises.

The former Senator representing Ebonyi Central District, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said that this year’s democracy day was the penultimate in the tenure of Governor Martin Elechi and was a fitting occasion for him to essay out for the people of the State the status of his stewardship in the course of the 7 years that he has been at the helm, saying that Elechi is always a confident performer.

His words: “Unlike the past when lack of exposure and inexperience hampered governance, Chief Elechi brought experience, knowledge, seriousness and disciplined mind to his administration’.

“He avoided the cosmetic efforts of the past and focused on substance infrastructure, structural and systemic reforms and genuine education policy that will long endure and deliver statewide benefits. I doubt that he will abandon any elephant projects. He unlocked the door of genuine development with the key of imagination”.

The senator said of course there is room for improvement because resources are scarce and human needs are unlimited, adding that it’s only a fool that will come to the conclusion that everything that can be achieved has been achieved.

According to Onwe, “but in summation, he can handover next year and retire or embark on another endeavour in his life confident in the knowledge that he has truly done his best for his people. We the writers of history will take it on from there. This is just an interim assessment. We will do the full report card in one year to come”.

If the governor should be given another opportunity to serve the state in any other capacity after his second term in office in 2015 if he wishes, it is left for the people of the state to decide but despite all odds, the governor has delivered the dividends of democracy to Ebonyians.

Jeff Amechi Agbodo, wrote from Abakaliki

http://thecityreporters.com/ebonyi-at-the-dawn-of-infrastructural-transformation/

Obiano moves to tackle power challenges, inaugurates state power and building lab committees

By News Express on 22/07/2014

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Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has inaugurated the State Power and Electricity Committee. This is in furtherance of his promise at inauguration on March 17 to work aggressively to address the challenges of power supply in the three industrial hubs of Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka so as to generate enough electricity to power the entrepreneurial dreams of the people.

The seven-man committee inaugurated over the weekend at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia is chaired by the leader of Distributing Power Business of General Electric Company for the Sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Chike Okonkwo. Other members of the committee are Alex Amakom, Joe Ndiagwalukwe, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Chief Chinedu Emeka, Mr. Yeye Adejegba, Obiora Nwizu, and Mr. Kingsley Aja.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, Governor Obiano charged the committee among others things, “to provide an accurate estimate of current power supply, consumption and projected demand in the state across various consumer groups and recommend suitable power generation and supply solution, taking into consideration, Anambra State’s climate, environment, landscape, and scale of development.”

He told the team to recommend short and medium-term implementation solution to achieve 100 percent power generation and supply across to industrial clusters and commercial markets in the State within nine months, and to liaise with Enugu Distribution Company to achieve ensure enough power generation and supply across to all urban residential centres.

Furthermore, Obiano enjoined the team to recommend potential investors and partners who shall implement the set objectives under Build-Operate-and Transfer (BOT) basis as well as develop a comprehensive understanding of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan, particularly as it relates to the state and recommend suitable and strategic locations to site new industrial parks, clusters and economic free trade zones in the state. The governor also directed the Committee to power street lights in Onitsha and Awka within 18 months, and ensure regular lighting across four major roads in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka within six months.

Responding on behalf of others, the Chairman, Mr. Okonkwo, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve. He noted that improved power supply is imperative for improved revenue generation. Okonkwo assured that the team would put in their best to meet the expectations of the government and the people. The committee would serve for 18 months in the first instance which is renewable subject to satisfactory performance and approval of the governor.

In the same vein, Governor Obiano inaugurated the Technical Committee on the State Building Materials Testing Laboratory with Mr. Hypolite Onyekwena as Chairman and Mr. B.O. Okafor as Secretary.

Speaking while inaugurating the 9-man committee, Obiano said the team’s terms of reference include to advise the state government on national and state policies on standard, specification and quality control on building and civil engineering materials, and designate, establish and approve standards in respect of building and construction materials as well as provide necessary measures for quality control in conformity with Standards Organization of Nigeria Act.

He also charged them to determine the overall policy of the laboratory with particular reference to financial, operational and administrative programme of the laboratory and the Committee and its execution, and enjoined them to also comply with directives from the Commissioner for Works on its various functions. Obiano urged them to carry out their assignment diligently to assist government to combat the challenges of incessant building collapse in the best interest of the state and country.

In a vote of thanks, the chairman of the committee, Dr. Onyekwere, assured that the members team would use their wealth of experience to deliver on their mandate.

The committee will serve for a period of two years in the first instance which is renewable subject to satisfactory performance and approval of the governor.

http://newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=6736&title=Obiano-moves-to-tackle-power-challenges,-inaugurates-state-power-and-building-lab-committees

Calabar, Ilorin, Maiduguri airports record zero passengers in Q1, says NBS as Owerri Becomes 4th Busiest Airport After Lagos, Abuja and PH
0
By ISAAC ANUMIHE, ABUJA on October 24, 2014 · Business

Against the backdrop of the growing interest by state governments to build new airports despite not being economically viable, the National Bureau of Statics (NBS) has revealed that about seven international airports in Nigeria have recorded no passengers at all in the first quarter of 2014 while Lagos and Abuja airports recorded highest.

The airports with zero patronage include International airports in Calabar, Ilorin, Kaduna, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Minna and Katsina.

However, a total of 3,416,977 passengers travelled using Nigerian airports in the first quarter of 2014. Out of this number, 2,352,224 or 68.84 per cent of them travelled locally, whereas 1,064,753 or 31.16 per cent travelled overseas.

Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, was rated the busiest airport in the country with 1,683,375 passengers or 49.27 per cent followed by Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with 907,989 passengers, or 26.57 per cent.

According to the NBS report, this was very similar to the share of 68.81 per cent observed for domestic passenger traffic on average in 2013.

“The above ranking is observed for both domestic and foreign bound passengers too. For domestic flights, Murtala Muhammed Airport had 898,896 passengers or 38.21 per cent of the total and Abuja had 701,249 passengers or 29.81 per cent of the total. Port Harcourt had a significant number of 274,186 passengers or 11.66 per cent of all passenger traffic, while Owerri Airport in Imo State had 75,356 passengers or 3.20 per cent of the total.

International passenger traffic is even more dominated by Lagos, with 784,479 passengers or 73.68 per cent of all overseas bound passengers passing through this airport. Abuja still ranks second, although with a lesser number of 205,740 passengers or 19.42 per cent of the total. Only Kano and Port Harcourt international airports had portions of the total of over 1 per cent, with 37,261 passengers or 3.50 per cent of the total flying through Kano and Port Harcourt,” the report said.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=87651

Anambra to Expand Agric Investment Base

Oct 17, 2014Our CorrespondentAgric0

TASK Anambra takes proactive steps to boost investments in agric sector

The Anambra State government is keen on expanding its agricultural investment base. To this end, it has put in place innovative incentive packages that will enhance the profitability of agro-investments sited in the state. Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Nnamdi Mekoh, disclosed this when the organisers of Agra Innovate Nigeria Conference and Exhibition paid a courtesy call on Anambra State officials in Awka, the state capital, recently.

The commissioner said that Anambra, under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano, had taken steps to ensure a conducive environment for agribusinesses to thrive. “Our agricultural policies are formulated with the investor in mind and there is no question that this sector is a key focal area for the Obiano administration,” Mekoh said. He commended the organisers for considering Anambra as one of the key sub-national destinations in the build-up to the main event in November.

On his part, Business Development Director of Afrocet Nigeria, Mr George Pearson, said that the event, which would take place between November 18 and 20, 2014, comes on the heels of a string of notable reforms that have placed Nigerian agriculture in good stead to become a global player in food production. Chief Executive Officer of AgroNigeria, Lead Media Advisor to the event, Richard- Mark Mbaram, said that Agra Innovate Nigeria is a clear recognition on the part of global agro-investors of Nigeria’s rising status in agricultural productivity. He said: “This event marks a paradigm shift in the relationship between Nigerian agricultural economy and foreign investors.

Whereas utilisait was Nigerians who would travel to host events abroad to woo investors, now the reverse is the case owing to the unparalleled successes which the present administration has recorded in agricultural transformation.” Further reinforcing the stance of the Anambra State government, Managing Director of the newly-inaugurated Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Joe Billy Ekwunife, expressed the interest of the agency in partnering with the project.

“It is particularly interesting that over 40 globally acclaimed agribusiness brands have signed up to participate in the event,” he said. Also in attendance at the meeting were critical members of the Anambra State Economic Management Team, including Mark Okoye, Senior Special Assistant on Investment to the state governor, as well as Mike Ogbuekwe, the governor’s SSA on Agriculture. It will be recalled that the state governor had only recently returned from a courtesy call on the country’s agriculture minister as part of his efforts geared towards positioning the state as a major agro-economic player in the country.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/anambra-to-expand-agric-investment-base/

Abia State to Distribute 600,000 Cocoa Seedlings to Farmers

Oct 03, 2014Dele AlaoAgric0
Abia to distribute 600,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers

TARGET State moves to become leading cocoa producer

Abia State government has began moves to make the state a leading cocoa producer. Governor Theodore Orji, recently inaugurated the 2014 free distribution of 600,000 improved cocoa seedlings to farmers in the state. The governor, at a brief ceremony held at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, said that the distribution of seedlings was part of government’s initiatives to reposition cocoa production in the state. “I want Abia to occupy a leading position in cocoa production in Nigeria in the next few years,’’ he said, adding that the measure was geared toward making cocoa one of the mainstay of the state’s economy.

The governor said that a monitoring team would be inaugurated to supervise the effective utilisation of the seedlings by the farmers to ensure higher productivity. Orji said that the good features of the seedlings included their early maturing and high yielding prospects. According to him, other efforts aimed at increasing agricultural production in the state include the recent N2 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility for agro-based small-scale industrialists in the state. He recalled that the 2012 CBN facility of N1 billion disbursement to farmers in the state was to encourage farmers and ensure food security. The governor said that the Liberation Farms, set up in each of the three senatorial districts of the state had helped to train farmers in modern farming techniques and gave the assurance that government would continue to train and retrain farmers to ensure value addition to their produce.

He urged the people of the state to “go back to land,” warning that although the nation’s oil wells would one day dry up, “agriculture will never dry up.” Orji urged cocoa farmers to be more committed and not to allow cocoa farming to die, given its huge prospects in the transformation of the economy of the farmer, the state and nation. On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Chijioke Onwutuebe, said that the distribution of free seedlings by government started in 2012 with 350,000 seedlings.

Onwutuebe said that the number was increased to 450,000 in 2013 and urged cocoa farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their fortune. Also, the Director of Agriculture in charge of the statewide development of agriculture, Mr Sam Odoemelam, said that the Ministry of Agriculture would intensify efforts to increase the state’s capacity in cocoa production. Odoemelam listed the five major cocoa producing local government areas of the state as Bende, Ikwuano, Arochukwu, Umuahia South and Ohafia.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/abia-to-distribute-600000-cocoa-seedlings-to-farmers/

Imo Lifts Embargo On Employment

Posted by admin on Oct 24th, 2014 and filed under South East. .

Rochas Okorocha of
Imo State, yesterday announced the lifting of embargo on employment into the state civil service.
Okorocha who announced the lifting of the embargo while addressing permanent secretaries in the civil service who visited him at Government House, Owerri, explained that the recruitment would be made from workers already involved in the Youth Must Work Programme and in accordance with the civil service guidelines.
A statement by Jane O. Amucha, on behalf of Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, said the governor also disclosed that buses would be provided to convey civil servants to and fro their offices, free of cost, thereby easing transport burden.
Governor Okorocha pointed out that while politicians in other parties were concerned about elections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, was committed to executing more projects, completing and commissioning existing projects for the betterment of the state.
“There will be more projects and we will be stronger than when we started,” he said.
He thanked the permanent secretaries for working as a team and remaining dogged in their belief in the “Rescue Mission” government, not allowing political opponents to use them to fight government while he commended them for “being part of the success story in the state.”
Okorocha directed the Head of Service, HoS, to submit a list of senior officers who would be deployed as principal officers to supervise certain government projects and ensure proper maintenance.
Speaking on 2015 elections, Okorocha stressed the need to give Ndi-Igbo its rightful positions at the federal level and called on the people of the South-East to support any Igbo man vying for the presidential seat.
He insisted “I will neither allow the Igbos to be forgotten as a people nor tolerate the long years of marginalization Ndi-Igbo have suffered in Nigeria.”
Earlier, Imo State Head of Service, HoS, Mr. Calistus Ekenze, said they came to present birthday gifts to the governor as well as thank him for approving the celebration of the 2014 Civil Service Week in the state.
Mr. Ekenze explained that the celebration, which kicked off yesterday, would feature many presentations, starting with a march past competition among the Deputy Governor’s Office, House of Assembly and Ministries. He also appreciated the contributions of some sponsors in providing cash and items for a successful event.
The HoS used the occasion to invite Governor Okorocha to the grand finale holding on November 6, revealing that an award will be conferred on the governor by Imo workers on that occasion.

http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2014/10/24/imo-lifts-embargo-on-employment/

Well done Nwanne, may God give you more strength to keep doing this noble cause for the Igbo nation. But can you also diversify a little and maybe post articles on Anioma areas. Little minding those who try to paint us as land grabbers, can you also add Etche, Obigbo and Egbema areas of Rivers state - at least these ones don't deny their Igbo origin. Simply make it more encompassing. Also articles of Igbos doing us proud in the diaspora might be a good thing to talk about. My own little suggestion though.