Nnamdi Azikiwe University branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities on Friday staged a protest at Government House, Awka, Anambra State, over the kidnap of one of their colleagues, Emeka Chiaghana, by yet to be identified gunmen.

They carried placards with various inscriptions. Some of them read, “We want to know the whereabouts of our colleague”, “Chiaghana cannot vanish this way”, “Our colleague has family members who depend on him, “His children are in school, they want to see him around them”.

They said Chiaghana, an engineer, was kidnapped at his Nibo residence in Awka-South Local Government Area of the state on 25th October last year.

Chairperson of the association, Njideka Nwangwu said the protest was necessitated by the abduction of its members by unknown persons.

She said, “Up until now we have not seen nor heard from him and his destination is still unknown to his wife, family members, and friends.

“By this peaceful protest, SSANU UNIZIK enjoins the government of Anambra State, security agencies, the university community, and the general public to note this ugly development.”

Nwangwu said though SSANU was aware of the efforts of security agencies and Unizik management in trying to rescue Chiaghana alive, she noted that the relevant authorities should expedite action for him to regain his freedom and rejoin his family.

Speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof.Solo Chukwulobelu, assured them that security agencies were on top of the issue.

He said, “The state government has not gone to bed on the matter and has been conducting investigations underground to nail the abductors and reunite the victim with his family.

“Don’t despair. Be strong in faith as the state government and other security agencies will ensure that your colleague is released from captivity,” the SSG stated.

Following media reports that he ordered the arrest of two pensioners who allegedly visited him for a meeting in his office on Thursday, the Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko has denied the report.

Dr. Uko in a statement he personally signed and obtained by ABN TV described the report as false and malicious, insisting that he was involved in meetings outside his office on the said day.

While stating that the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has prioritized regular payment of pensioners to ensure that they receive their due along with other workers in the state every month, the Commissioner emphasized there no basis to order the arrest of any pensioner or any other law abiding Abian for that matter.

The Police on Thursday arrested two pensioners, Daniel Amugo and Chukwuemeka Augustus, the Chairman and Secretary of a group, called Abia State Concerned Pensioners for allegedly impersonating members of Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

Prior to their arrest, they were said to have held a meeting with the Commissioner in his office in Umuahia, a development the Commissioner denied.

Read Commissioner’s full statement

Press Statement

My attention has been drawn to publications in a section of the media alleging that I met with a group of pensioners on Thursday, January 23, 2019, in my office, and subsequently invited security agents to arrest them.

I wish to state, without fear of contradiction, that I did not meet with the said pensioners and never ordered the arrest of any of them. The story as published is false and malicious as I was involved in meetings outside my office on the said day and only read about the purported meeting with the pensioners from the media.

It is important to point out that following the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, we have prioritized regular payment of pensioners to ensure that they receive their due along with other workers in the state every month. There is therefore no basis for me to order the arrest of any pensioner or any other law abiding Abian for that matter.

Thank you.

Dr Aham Uko
Honorable Commissioner for Finance,
Abia State, Nigeria.
24/1/2020

Following the recent low rating of Nigeria by Transparency International on corruption perception, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) Worldwide has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to do more in fighting corruption, saying those in the president’s party, the APC and the main opposition party, the PDP are responsible for the low rating.

The Council in a statement signed by the the President General, Mazi Okechukwu isiguzoro and Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike accused Transparency International’s report which rated Nigeria 146 out of the 180 Countries on the 2019 Corruption Perception index of bias, maintaining that they didn’t take into consideration the achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption.

OYC also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to review his tactics in the fight against corruption and ensure that politically exposed people, including former governors, Senators whether in APC or PDP are sent behind bars as a way to send strong message that there is no selective prosecution of corrupt individuals.

Read full release below

Press Release

Nigeria’s Transparency Int’l low ranting: Buhari should Fight Corruption Fiercely by Jailing More Sacred Cows and Untouchables, blames low rating on the Corruption in APC and PDP… Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

(1) Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had viewed the recent poor ranking of Nigeria in the Corruption index by Transparency Int’l with Mixed Feelings,as Nigeria is now ranked 146 out of the 180 Countries on the 2019 Corruption Perception index,Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points according to Auwal Rafsanjani,Head of Transparency Int’l Nigeria, OYC described the Perception reports credited to Transparency int’l as biased verdict, not true reflection of what is on the ground, not fact based research largely influenced by Opposition parties and omitted the achievements recorded so far by President Muhammadu Buhari’s courage to pursue fight against corruption, the recent pronouncement of Transparency Int’l though a respected int’l Perception reports based on third party information, but the reality on ground disputes the perception as baised verdict, as OYC insists there are more gains in the fight against Corruption,but Nigerians should accept indictment by TI is a blessing in disguise,as Presidency should advance to the next level of the Anti Corruption war, without perceived being Selective as a way prove the TI reports was not true reflection of what is on the ground.

(2) FG should review their tactics in the fight against Corruption,by Jailing those untouchables but overrated sacred cows whose pending cases had lasted more than a decade in various courts or swept under the Carpet,there should be accelerated hearings and Judgement on those cases involving most Former Governors,Ministers,Senators and others, from both the Ruling party and Opposition parties, there should be strict adherence to Rule of law, Strict reflection of Federal Character in sharing of political Appointments and independence of the Judiciary and Legislative arms of Government should be encouraged, failed contractors and subcontractors should be in Jail, especially as Nigeria and international Community await the Presidency forensic investigative reports of the huge fraud harvest in NDDC Projects across 9 States, Nigerians expect fierce but radical approach towards sanitasing corruption in public institutions, and political parties,Anti Graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC should investigate allegations of Corruption levelled against Some National Party Chairmen and leaders, whether in the APC,PDP or other political parties,as the Perception index of Transparency Int’l,even though seen as third party baised verdict should serve as a motivational force For Presidency to be more fierce and ruthless in Fighting Corruption and Jail Sacred Cows both in APC and PDP, as We applaud Federal Government on recent judgements that saw some corrupt Politicians be in detention.

(3) President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to lose if our Prisons are filled to brim and later Converted to a Museum for Convicted Corrupt Politicians before the end of 2020, mostly Those jostling for 2023 whose pending cases are still in Court or stalled,should be accelerated and those who are victims of political vendetta whose cases are publicly viewed as sheer witch-hunting should be allowed to regain freedom and their properties, but those who crossed carpet from One political party to another in other to invade prosecution and was declared Political Saints by Adams Oshiomole Should be tried and if found guilty should be Jailed,OYC laud So far the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime in the fight against Corruption,as History will vindicate the Just.

Mazi Okechukwu isiguzoro
President General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide

Mazi Okwu Nnabuike
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide