Headlines

The Abia State Government has confirmed one case of Monkeypox in the state, according to Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu. Out of 13 suspected cases, one tested positive, nine were negative, and three are still awaiting confirmation, with no fatalities reported so far.

The lone case was recorded in Isialangwa, and the state has established centers for treatment and management, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, with more centers to be opened soon.

Special Adviser on Health Dr. Ngozi Azodo emphasized the collaboration between the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Public Utilities to combat infectious diseases.

A steering committee has been set up, and the state has adopted the Federal Government’s “One-Health” policy.

Azodo urged citizens to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with animals, and steer clear of individuals with suspected cases.

She also announced plans to upgrade 200 Primary Healthcare Centres in 100 days, starting in September, with completion expected by December as a “Christmas gift” to the people of Abia.

The state government is taking steps to strengthen healthcare facilities and maintain high surveillance to prevent the spread of Monkeypox and other infectious diseases.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has notified the Federal Government of its intention to embark on a nationwide strike, issuing a 21-day notice.

This decision was made at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan.

According to sources within the NEC, the notice is not an ultimatum but a requirement under labor laws, ensuring that all actions are taken in accordance with legal procedures.

ASUU had previously threatened to go on strike due to the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Despite a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26 to address the issues, the agreements remain unimplemented.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the national president of ASUU, stated that the meeting with the Minister of Education resulted in an agreement to reconvene after two weeks to assess the government’s progress. However, the government has yet to implement the agreed-upon measures.

Some of the unmet demands include the non-implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have been pending for over six years. Additionally, academic allowances owed to ASUU members have accumulated for over six years, with no action taken.

Regarding the revitalization fund, ASUU agreed to the Needs Assessment Report, which proposed raising N200 billion yearly for five years. However, only one payment has been made since 2013.

ASUU also demands that the government halt the proliferation of universities, as many new institutions are being approved without sufficient funding to operate effectively.

The deputy speaker of the house of representative, Benjamin Kalu in a video, on Monday, said he had already told Governor Otti of Abia State in private that he would not be the governor of the state if he remains in the Labour Party.

Kalu went on to boast that the ruling APC will take over Abia State come 2027.

He added that Ndi Abia also owe the President for appointing him to the number six position in the country and for the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Kalu stated that while Otti has been delivering good governance he cannot allow Labour Party to be in charge of the state in 2027 election. He said he has to pay the debt he owes the President and the APC.

In reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti, Ukoha Njoku, said Ndi Abia will teach the Deputy Speaker in 2027 election.

On his X handle, Njoku wrote, “This would have been funny if not that it is sad.

“However, it must be said that the ultimate deciders of this theory becoming reality or remaining a bad dream, will be the good people of Abia State.

Until then, anyone can say anything. May God keep us alive to be witnesses.

Otti Will Be Reelected Governor – LP Lawmaker, Obi Trashes Kalu’s Claim, Makes Revelation About APC’s Plan to Take Over Abia State

Meanwhile, Labour Party Lawmaker, Hon Obi Aguocha, has fired back at Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu’s claim that APC will take over Abia State in 2027, describing it as a desperate and brazen display of political ambition.

Aguocha, representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, challenged Kalu to declare his governorship ambition openly, rather than hiding behind his position as Deputy Speaker.

The LP Lawmaker accused Kalu of disrespecting and denigrating the office of the incumbent Governor, Alex Otti, with his open vituperation, and lacking the audacity to declare the seat of the Governor vacant in 2027.

Aguocha’s response came after Kalu’s trending video, where he vowed that APC will take over the Governorship seat in Abia come 2027, sparking rumours of his ambition to contest the seat.

The LP Lawmaker revealed that Kalu’s camp has been boasting about his chances of winning the APC ticket in the state, despite reservations about his political structure and skill to defeat Governor Otti.

Aguocha commended Governor Otti’s achievements, including the removal of ghost workers, infrastructural development, investments in education and health, and his target to turn Aba into the Taiwan of Africa.

The LP Lawmaker advised Kalu to focus on his legislative duties and constituents, rather than engaging in “pugnacious instability” and “intemperate political culture”.

He assured that Abians will repay Governor Otti for his achievements come 2027, and warned Kalu that there is no vacancy in Abia State in 2027.

Aguocha also reminded Kalu that the Labour Party won Bende Federal Constituency (Kalu’s constituency) in 2023 and can declare that seat vacant again.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued permits to several companies, including Golden Penny Power Limited and MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, to generate mini-grid electricity.

In the first quarter of 2024, NERC issued nine new off-grid generation licenses with a combined capacity of 109.69 megawatts, as well as three new trading licenses.

Golden Penny Power Limited received a license to build six off-grid gas plants in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Cross River states, with a total capacity of 100MW.

MTN Communications Nigeria Limited was granted a permit to build four captive generation plants in Lagos State, with a combined capacity of 15.94MW.

Other companies, including SweetCo Foods Limited, African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited, West African Ceramics Limited, Royal Engineered Stones Limited, and Armilo Plastics Limited, were also permitted to generate captive power.

These captive power generation permits allow entities to own and maintain power plants for generating power for their own consumption, rather than for sale to a third party.

In the first quarter of 2024, NERC issued nine captive power generation permits with a total nameplate capacity of 52.57MW.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo state, has set Thursday, 24th of August 2024 to Monday, 26th August 2024 for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) collection.

This information was made known in a memo signed by Timidi Wariowei, the INEC head for voter education and publicity.

The five day exercise will take place at the ward headquarters.
Thereafter, the exercise will move to INEC headquarters in each Local Government for another three days, from Wednesday 28th August, to Friday 30th August, 2024.

Collection of PVCs in Edo State are in line with preparations for the upcoming Edo State Governorship elections, slated to hold September 21st, 2024.

A total of 184,438 voters were registered during the recently concluded Continuous Voters Registration in Edo State.
The figure included 119,206 new registrations, 8,847 inter-state transfers, and 46,171 intra-state transfers.

Additionally, 4,808 voters requested corrections to their details, and 5,406 voters applied for replacements of lost or damaged PVCs.

From August 22 to August 26, registered voters could pick up their cards at any of the 192 Wards in Edo State from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including weekends, he announced.

After this period, the collection would move to INEC’s Local Government offices across the state, where voters can collect their PVCs from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

The commission however stressed that PVC collection must be done in person as there will be no collection by proxy