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Ikpeazu to release N30m for Asa Electricity Project

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Ikpeazu to release N30m for Asa Electricity Project
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Wednesday said he would immediately release N30 million to Ukwa West Local Government Area for Asa Electricity Project he earlier promised.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, issued in Aba.
The governor disclosed this during a meeting with leaders of Ukwa West LGA who paid him a solidarity visit in Aba
Ikpeazu said the money would hit their bank account immediately the meeting ended on Wednesday.
He challenged them to ensure the project’s delivery before the end of September, to ensure Ukwa West LGA residents have their own dedicated source of electricity.
Ikpeazu also announced that he had released funds to the contractor handling the Uratta – Umuozuo – Umuekechi – Obokwe – Ugwati road.
The governor told them that the first phase of the project, which covered Uratta to Umuekechi, had been completed.
He said the second phase of the project from Umuekechi to Ugwati would commence from Aug. 22, promising that the work would not stop until completion.
He, therefore, tasked the people of the area to own the project and cooperate with the contractor.
Ikpeazu also assured the LGA that government would soon announce the appointment of its indigene as the substantive Chairman of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC).
He told the delegation that he delayed the appointment to ensure that all issues surrounding the matter were properly addressed before the announcement.
He reiterated that Asa sons and daughters must be the only ones to be appointed Chairman of ASOPADEC and tasked them to support whoever is eventually appointed.
Ikpeazu told them that Enyimba Economic City Project remained the most audacious economic development project in the entire South East of Nigeria.
He said that Afrexim Bank had invested $150 million into the project while the Federal Government handed the management of its 20 per cent equity holding in the project through the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
 The governor said another crucial meeting on the project would hold in Barbados soon where he would require an indigene of Ukwa West to accompany him.
He urged the leaders and people of Ukwa West to remain steadfast in their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vote for the it in 2023 elections.
The leader of the delegation, Chief Don Ubani, told the governor that the people of Ukwa West LGA were fully behind the PDP in the 2023 elections.
He thanked Ikpeazu for the release of the funds for the Asa Electricity Project and assured him that the funds would be judiciously used for quick completion of the project.
He told the governor that Asa people had adopted him as their sole candidate for the Senatorial seat in 2023.
He also said a motion for that was moved by the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency at the State Assembly, Mr Goddy Adiele.
Those present at the meeting were the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sam Nwogu, and Mr Chinedum Elechi.
Others who were part of the delegation includes Mr Ralph Egbu, Mr Tony Mezie – Nwaubani and Mr Henry Chilaka.
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Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

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The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

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JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations

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The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.

The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.

RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.

“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.

The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.

Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.

The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.

Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.

A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.

“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.

The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.

 

 

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Moghalu Prescribes Good Governance As Panacea To Ethnic Agitation

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The President of the African School of Governance, Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu has admonished state actors against resorting to brutal force in the bid to muscle out separatist agitators.

In the aftermath of Mazi Simon Ekpa, the Finland based Biafran nationalist agitator being caught in legal web and the Nigerian government moving swiftly to seek his repatriation, the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned that ‘We either fix our problems, or our problems will eventually “fix” us. No alternative to a renegotiated union.’

ALSO READ: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

The political economist, while expressing his hope in Nigeria, made it clear that “hope is not a strategy”.

He bared his mind in a series of posts on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Friday.

Moghalu wrote, “Despite sustained contemporary difficulties, I am hopeful about Nigeria. But hope is not a strategy. We need to improve state capacity for effective governance.

“We either fix our problems, or our problems will eventually “fix” us. No alternative to a renegotiated union.

“We must learn to be honest with ourselves and address the root causes of our problems. Why ignore them, when the problem is actually quite solvable? The problem with continuing with this approach is that when the danger crystallizes, those who thought they were benefiting from

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