The Abia State House of Assembly has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Executive Order 10 granting financial autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary arms of government, describing the move as a very important watershed in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Speaking on the issue at plenary session on Wednesday, the lawmakers in their contributions said the signed Executive Order will strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, 22nd May, 2020 signed Executive Order 10 of 2020 granting financial autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary.
The lawmakers unanimously expressed commended Buhari for signing the Executive Order 10 of 2020 in compliance with Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), saying “this will help to deepen our collective resolve to run a truly democratic society at all levels”.
The founder of Victory Life Ministries International, Bishop Mike Bamidele has said that COVID-19 is evil from hell. He warned that nobody should blame God for it.
The cleric said the churches would continue to support the government with prayers for an end to the virus, adding that government should be commended for their efforts so far in containing the spread of the disease.
The cleric said COVID-19 is real and urged people to continue to abide by preventive measures.
The cleric, Bishop Mike Bamidele, who disclosed this in an interview, offered special prayers for health workers, journalists, security operatives and others in the front line of the battle against the virus.
He said the Pentecost day celebration this year will be to pray for comfort for those who are bereaved and healing for those who are under any kind of diseases particularly the COVID-19.
Bishop Bamidele said this year edition of Pentecost Day Celebration would hold online because of the restriction on public gatherings imposed by the government to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Bishop Mike Bamidele urged Christians across the globe to join through online and social media platforms and receive blessings. The cleric said Christians would not know COVID-19, saying that whoever has faith in Christ would not be infected.
“COVID-19 vanishes immediately you believe that it is gone.
“If you have faith that it would not come to you, COVID-19 would not locate you. COVID-19 has vanished if you believe so.
“No pastor can predict the end of the Coronavirus. Those who had earlier predicted the end to the virus but which did not come to pass needs to check the spirit that they are operating with.”
“There is no specific date the virus will end but the day any man is healed by exercising faith in God is the day the virus will end. For me, an end has come to the virus the day Jesus died on the cross,” the bishop said.
He reiterated the need for the United Nations to give recognition to Pentecost Day.
He also urged Osun state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola to take a lead in declaring Pentecost Day as a public holiday in the state just as Hijirah Day and Isese Day marked annually by Muslims and traditionalists in the state were honoured with public holidays.
He said “The Pentecost Day was the 50 days after Jesus resurrection, it should be declared as a public holiday so that Christians can enjoy the celebration.
“If the state government could declare a public holiday for Muslims to celebrate Hijrah and the Isese Day for traditional worshippers, the same should be declared for Christians to celebrate Pentecost Day”
The Abia State House of Assembly has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Executive Order 10 granting financial autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary arms of government, describing the move as a very important watershed in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Speaking on the issue at plenary session on Wednesday, the lawmakers in their contributions said the signed Executive Order will strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, 22nd May, 2020 signed Executive Order 10 of 2020 granting financial autonomy to State Legislature and Judiciary.
The lawmakers unanimously expressed commended Buhari for signing the Executive Order 10 of 2020 in compliance with Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), saying “this will help to deepen our collective resolve to run a truly democratic society at all levels”.
The Abia state House of Assembly has expressed displeasure over what it called the hijack of Ubani market in Umuahia by non-traders, saying it fuels the practice of street trading.
At the resumed plenary on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji who drew the attention of the lawmakers to the development of matter of urgent public importance wondered why the market built by the state government is not fully utilised.
Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji
“They said that some of them that have shops in those markets that were demolished were not given any shops at the new ones.
“If you go to Ubani Ibeku market, you will find out that about 50 per cent are closed up meanwhile people own those shops”
“The essence of moving those markets was to end street trading. It is now time for us to unravel the owners of those shops perpetually locked up and give it to those who will make immediate use of them.
“I appeal to my dear Colleagues to help on this matter because Umuahia is the capital city of the State and it is good I bring this issue out to the floor so it can be discussed“, he said.
In a statement made available to ABN TV by the media unit of the Assembly said the Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike, in his contribution to the Matter, urged the House to look into the case critically.
Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike
“Mr Speaker, you have spoken the mind of every Umuahian. Mr Speaker, I had cause to visit the Ubani Market during this Lockdown, Mr Speaker, what I saw bewildered me. You will some shops that have been under lock and key for over a year.
“Mr Speaker, the entire Umuahia North Has spoken through you and we are saying that the needful be done, and be done urgently. Let some punitive measures be meted out to the owners of such shops so that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be thinking to do same“, he said.
The Minority Leader of the House, Hon Sir Abraham Oba, on his part called on the House to expedite action on the Matter as presented by the Speaker.
“Mr Speaker, the only way out is for Government to take over all the locked up shops and give same to those in immediate need of it“, he opined.
The Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon Barr Jerry Uzosike, on his part urged the House to apply all the necessary legislative and political will to arrest the situation before it becomes a norm.
Hon. Jerry Uzosike
“It seems to me that in all the streets of Umuahia, you see any new building, there is a warehouse.
“Mr Speaker, there is an urgent need for the political will to move these traders back to Ubani, what happened was that most of these traders moved into Ubani while some refused and because nothing happened to those who refused to move people who ordinarily needed to go to Ubani now purchase at the metropolis.
“There is need for a political will to move these traders back to Ubani”, he concluded.
The Member representing Obingwa West, Hon Barr. Thomas Nkoro, in his support to the motion called on the House to review the allocations at Ubani Market.
“Let the allocations at that market be reviewed to accommodate the original owners of shops at the demolished markets“, he said.
The Speaker, while thanking the members for their contributions maintained that the shops.were hijacked by non traders.
“It is my considered opinion to call on the State Government to implement the law banning street trading in Abia State.
“Secondly, is that allocation of the stores at Ubani Market be looked into by the House Committee on Trade and Investment of the House“, he remarked.
The Assembly therefore mandated the House Committee on Investment to investigate and find out the real owners of the shops in a bid to ascertain whether those people that paid actually got the shops for which they paid.
It also urge the State Government to end the menace by implementing the Law banning street trading.
Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has congratulated Abia children on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day.
In a statement signed by the Speaker and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday, he said children are a heritage of the Lord and that they deserve all the care and protection they need to maximally fulfill their potentials.
He also urged parents/guardians to ensure that they keep the children/wards safe in this pandemic era.
“On behalf of my Colleagues at the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, I restate our commitment to ensuring that our children actualise their dreams in a peaceful, progressive and prosperous society through legislations that protect and promote their interests”, he said.
The Abia state House of Assembly has expressed displeasure over what it called the hijack of Ubani market in Umuahia by non-traders, saying it fuels the practice of street trading.
At the resumed plenary on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji who drew the attention of the lawmakers to the development of matter of urgent public importance wondered why the market built by the state government is not fully utilised.
Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji
“They said that some of them that have shops in those markets that were demolished were not given any shops at the new ones.
“If you go to Ubani Ibeku market, you will find out that about 50 per cent are closed up meanwhile people own those shops”
“The essence of moving those markets was to end street trading. It is now time for us to unravel the owners of those shops perpetually locked up and give it to those who will make immediate use of them.
“I appeal to my dear Colleagues to help on this matter because Umuahia is the capital city of the State and it is good I bring this issue out to the floor so it can be discussed“, he said.
In a statement made available to ABN TV by the media unit of the Assembly said the Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike, in his contribution to the Matter, urged the House to look into the case critically.
Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike
“Mr Speaker, you have spoken the mind of every Umuahian. Mr Speaker, I had cause to visit the Ubani Market during this Lockdown, Mr Speaker, what I saw bewildered me. You will some shops that have been under lock and key for over a year.
“Mr Speaker, the entire Umuahia North Has spoken through you and we are saying that the needful be done, and be done urgently. Let some punitive measures be meted out to the owners of such shops so that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be thinking to do same“, he said.
The Minority Leader of the House, Hon Sir Abraham Oba, on his part called on the House to expedite action on the Matter as presented by the Speaker.
“Mr Speaker, the only way out is for Government to take over all the locked up shops and give same to those in immediate need of it“, he opined.
The Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon Barr Jerry Uzosike, on his part urged the House to apply all the necessary legislative and political will to arrest the situation before it becomes a norm.
Hon. Jerry Uzosike
“It seems to me that in all the streets of Umuahia, you see any new building, there is a warehouse.
“Mr Speaker, there is an urgent need for the political will to move these traders back to Ubani, what happened was that most of these traders moved into Ubani while some refused and because nothing happened to those who refused to move people who ordinarily needed to go to Ubani now purchase at the metropolis.
“There is need for a political will to move these traders back to Ubani”, he concluded.
The Member representing Obingwa West, Hon Barr. Thomas Nkoro, in his support to the motion called on the House to review the allocations at Ubani Market.
“Let the allocations at that market be reviewed to accommodate the original owners of shops at the demolished markets“, he said.
The Speaker, while thanking the members for their contributions maintained that the shops.were hijacked by non traders.
“It is my considered opinion to call on the State Government to implement the law banning street trading in Abia State.
“Secondly, is that allocation of the stores at Ubani Market be looked into by the House Committee on Trade and Investment of the House“, he remarked.
The Assembly therefore mandated the House Committee on Investment to investigate and find out the real owners of the shops in a bid to ascertain whether those people that paid actually got the shops for which they paid.
It also urge the State Government to end the menace by implementing the Law banning street trading.
Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has congratulated Abia children on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day.
In a statement signed by the Speaker and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday, he said children are a heritage of the Lord and that they deserve all the care and protection they need to maximally fulfill their potentials.
He also urged parents/guardians to ensure that they keep the children/wards safe in this pandemic era.
“On behalf of my Colleagues at the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, I restate our commitment to ensuring that our children actualise their dreams in a peaceful, progressive and prosperous society through legislations that protect and promote their interests”, he said.
A journalist with XL 106.9 FM Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, Kufre Carter who was arrested for allegedly defaming Dominic Ukpong, the state commissioner of health, has regained freedom.
Inibehe Effiong, counsel to the journalist, who confirmed his release to TheCable, said his client was freed on Wednesday.
TheCable had launched a campaign for the release of Carter who was arrested last month.
Despite a court order granting him bail, the journalist was still kept in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
But Effiong said Yusuf Bichi, the director-general of the DSS gave instruction that the court order should be obeyed.
“On Wednesday, 27th May 2020 at about 9:30 a.m., our client, Kufre Carter, a sport’s journalist with XL 106.9 FM in Uyo regained freedom after spending one month in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) at the instance and on the instigation of the Akwa Ibom State Government,” Effiong said in a statement.
“This came after the Director-General of the SSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, ordered the SSS Command in Akwa Ibom State to comply with the valid and subsisting order of the Court and release our client.”Effiong said they had received an indication on Tuesday night that Carter would be freed.”
He also dismissed claims that the journalist had tendered an apology to Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has sent a message of solidarity to Abia children on the occasion of the 2020 Children’s Day Celebration.
Describing the children as “our tomorrow“, The Governor expressed delight that Abia children have consistently made our state proud with their sterling performance in external examinations over the last four years and assured them that his administration shall provide the best environment for their development.
Governor Ikpeazu tasked the children to rise to the challenges of the new world order occasioned by the Corona Virus Pandemic which has altered the way we live.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka stated that his administration is already prepared for these challenges especially as it affects how our children study.
“Our RADIO CLASSROOM initiative is one of our responses to bridge knowledge gaps even as schools remain closed. Our children must rise to this challenge by updating their knowledge of e-learning platforms. This is the way the world will move, going forward. We must be ready or we stand the risk of being left behind”, the Governor added.
“The Governor asked the children to assist their parents at this difficult period especially as it relates to the observance of all public health protocols like Social Distancing, Wearing of Face Masks, Regular Hand Washing, and the use of Sanitizers.
“He assured that his administration is concerned with the current situation where schools are closed and assured that the situation is being reviewed periodically. The Governor stated that the government will make the best decision in the circumstance and make the safety of our children as top priority.
“The Governor, on behalf of his family, government and people of Abia State wished Abia children a Happy Children’s Day.” the statement read.
A journalist with XL 106.9 FM Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, Kufre Carter who was arrested for allegedly defaming Dominic Ukpong, the state commissioner of health, has regained freedom.
Inibehe Effiong, counsel to the journalist, who confirmed his release to TheCable, said his client was freed on Wednesday.
TheCable had launched a campaign for the release of Carter who was arrested last month.
Despite a court order granting him bail, the journalist was still kept in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
But Effiong said Yusuf Bichi, the director-general of the DSS gave instruction that the court order should be obeyed.
“On Wednesday, 27th May 2020 at about 9:30 a.m., our client, Kufre Carter, a sport’s journalist with XL 106.9 FM in Uyo regained freedom after spending one month in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) at the instance and on the instigation of the Akwa Ibom State Government,” Effiong said in a statement.
“This came after the Director-General of the SSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, ordered the SSS Command in Akwa Ibom State to comply with the valid and subsisting order of the Court and release our client.”Effiong said they had received an indication on Tuesday night that Carter would be freed.”
He also dismissed claims that the journalist had tendered an apology to Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state.
