News
Imo Federal lawmaker lament, says crisis most unfortunate
Member representing
Ahiazu/Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins has lamented the endless killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties in the State.
He expressed pain that the crisis which has claimed many lives couldn’t be nipped in the bud, but was escalating day by day, noting that there was need for government security agents and the youths to ceasefire in the interest of peace.
In a statement on Wednesday, which he personally signed and made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the lawmaker further regretted that the crisis has become a subject of politics for some elements who are waiting in the wings to give political colouration to every attempt to restore peace.
He said: “I am deeply pained with the recent happenings in our dear Imo State, where the unthinkable is happening with innocent lives being decimated, business activities crumbling and properties worth billions in Naira destroyed with reckless abandon.
“It is not only regrettable that such unfortunate development ensued, but our inability to nip it in the bud, before it escalates beyond human control, which is attributable to the confusion in the body-politic that made it extremely difficult for individuals with genuine concern to step-in.
“Such situation always call for restraint in order not to be misquoted by our motley and overzealous politicians who are always in a haste to wrongly decorate every action including things as sacrosanct as human lives, with partisan coloration.
However, as a bona-fide citizen of Imo State, who is not only in shock, but deeply yorried, and in my capacity as a representative of the people whose lives are being cut short, I have no other choice than to speak up.
“There is no gainsaying that Imo as the only State we call our own that should be jealously guided with every love for the sake of peace and unity; a State that used to be very peaceful as the tourist center of attraction in the East of the Niger and beyond, is at present, not only wearing a pathetic and sorry outlook, but speedily losing that ambiance and atmospheric oxygen that is of the Peace and the hallmark of a tourist nerve center.
“For It suffices to say that, mistakes which is a natural phenomenon may have been made, but, it is still painful and unacceptable to be witnessing through the media, such wanton destruction and gruesome killings, especially the gory sights of lifeless bodies of our beloved ones, such as the young and promising Chidiebere Emereuwa of the Nigeria Air Force, a native of Obizi in my Constituency, who was reportedly killed at a check-
point, near Akachi Junction.
“Also another ugly incident of a German-based Unachukwu who allegedly died after being shot on the head at a Military check-point near Sam Mbakwe Airport, while trying to catch a flight; and of course, the wicked and gruesome murder of an APC Chieftain, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, who was reportedly in the State a National Assignment.
“While with heavy heart, I commiserate with each and every family whose loved ones and properties were affected, and pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed.
“I condemn in strong terms the new development of extra-judicial killings and assassination of innocent citizens, including that of the security agents and the unknown gun men in the State.
“It must be expressly stated, that the killings from both angle must stop forthwith: this is more so, since our dear State must be rescued and recovered to its original state of peace and tranquility, which can only aid to creating the expected atmosphere for business activities to resurrect for the benefit of our people whose meagre sources of livelihood had either been depleted, destroyed or under lock and key, due to the unrest.
“It is also, deserving to remind our ebullient youths, that they are the bona-fide citizens of the State, on whose shoulders the leadership will rest-on in years to come, consequent upon which any act of violence that is targeted at individuals, State or Private formations, is not only condemnable, but a disservice to them and generations yet unborn.
“In the same vein, I want to appeal to our Elders, Community Leaders, State
Functionaries, Captains of Industries, Members of the Academia, Concerned Ndi Imo and of course, the Clergy to speak up in condemnation of this ugly development. All hands must be on deck to make sure the State recovers from her depreciating fortune and eroding heritage.
“Let us embrace peace and make our State work again as the enviable tourist center of the south east”, the statement concluded.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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