News
Photos: Over 10 Houses Swallowed By Erosion, Scores Dislodged In Bende, Abia State, as Deputy Speaker, Ecological Funds Officials Assess Sites
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/images-2024-06-01T170929.643.jpeg&description=Photos: Over 10 Houses Swallowed By Erosion, Scores Dislodged In Bende, Abia State, as Deputy Speaker, Ecological Funds Officials Assess Sites', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/images-2024-06-01T170929.643.jpeg&description=Photos: Over 10 Houses Swallowed By Erosion, Scores Dislodged In Bende, Abia State, as Deputy Speaker, Ecological Funds Officials Assess Sites', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
…Kalu Calls for Urgent FG Intervention
More than 10 houses have been swallowed by massive gully erosion in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, leaving scores of people internally displaced.
In a bid to address the crisis, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Wednesday led officials of the Ecological Project Office including the Director, Soil and Erosion Flood Control, B’aba Bomoi to the sites in Uzuakoli and Ozuitem communities for an emergency assessment of the affected areas.
Residents say the number of destroyed homes has continue to rise weekly as the rains persist, with the streets and farmlands collapsing into widening gullies.
The erosion is also threatening the residence of the Special Assistant on State Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Ikenna Ariwodo and many others.
Describing the situation as “a matter of urgent public importance,” Kalu called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ecological Project Office to intervene immediately, stressing that the disaster has overwhelmed the capacity of the state government.
Speaking at the site in Uzuakoli, the Deputy Speaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives said he had much earlier in the term submitted an application to the Ecological Office through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation when the erosion was less severe.
He explained that the erosion now spans over 4 to 5 kilometers and requires a fresh assessment and a much larger federal intervention.
He said: “I want to first thank the federal government for creating ecological funds office. It is under the presidency. I am sure the ecological funds office was created in view of issues that have affected mainly the South East, because we are the ecological headquarters or erosion headquarters of the world.
“Honestly speaking, I came here about two or three years ago, it was not this massive. When I made the application to the ecological funds office, it was not as big as this.
“To be honest, the amount I was asking for to solve this will be a far cry from what would be used in solving this. In fact, it is about twenty times over what I had projected when I laid that application two or three years ago.
“We have to do a reassessment of what this has become and find a way of giving a lasting solution to it. I know the capacity of your office to handle this,” he told the visiting team.
Kalu thanked the Ecological Office for its prompt response, noting that the visit followed a meeting held in his office with the Permanent Secretary in the project office.
“This is not what a state can do. I know many people have been saying the state government should come and intervene. I think this is beyond the state. Here, we can partner with the state, but this is a federal government project. If we really want to do it and do it well, we need the federal government presence here”, he said.
He recalled how a similar intervention was secured for Nkpa for which a bridge was later built during the Buhari administration after he moved a motion on June 13, 2019, expressing optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s government which graciously approved the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and two tertiary institutions in Bende will do the same for Uzuakoli and Ozuitem erosion menaces.
Touring other affected areas in Ozuitem with the technical team from the Ecological Office to determine the scope of damage, Kalu lamented that the South East bears the brunt of ecological disasters in Nigeria.
He urged immediate action to prevent further loss of homes and displacement, stressing that the current situation is far worse than what was captured in the initial application.
“This is affecting mainly the South East. We are counting on the federal government, counting on Mr. President to see this as a real need of our people,” the Deputy Speaker added.
In his remarks, Director Bomoi who led the technical team of the Office bemoaned the situation, stressing that it is life threatening.
“This one is quite threatening, not only to the environment, not only to the property, even lives. And if you can look at it now the encroachment has already taken over almost the entire farmland”, he said.
It will be recalled that the women from the affected communities recently staged a mass walk, demanding urgent government intervention.
The Ecological Funds team is expected to submit its assessment report to guide federal government intervention.
Eight students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), Ogun State, have been reportedly abducted after suspected kidnappers attacked their residence in Ipara, Remi North Local Government Area of the state.
A student at the school, who spoke to Tribune Online on condition of anonymity, explained that the incident happened around 9 pm on Wednesday, with eight students abducted by the kidnappers.
Following the incident, the source disclosed that the school management has announced the cancellation of their computer-based and written examinations scheduled for today (Tuesday).
“Following the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday, today’s examination has been cancelled.
“However, *tomorrow’s examination remains scheduled as planned.* If there is any change regarding tomorrow’s exam, an official announcement will be communicated promptly.
“For now, all students are encouraged to remain calm, stay positive, and continue preparing for their examinations. We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon.
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” the notice sighted by Tribune Online reads.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed to Tribune Online that there were reports of abduction in the Ipara axis of the state.
While the PPRO did not confirm the number of people abducted, he disclosed that personnel of the Nigeria Police, especially men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit and other tactical teams, have been deployed to the area immediately.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic promised to get back to our correspondent on the incident. However, notice (Nigerian Tribune)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has come under heavy hammer from a Professor of English at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva, over his alleged three-hour delay to a programme and failure to apologise after arriving.
Dasylva, who teaches drama, poetry, African Literatures and Oral Literature/Folklore Studies at the University of Ibadan, described the monarch’s conduct as disrespectful and inconsistent with the values of the revered Yoruba royal institution.
The don made the remarks in an article, titled: “Of Mythography and Mythognosis: A Complementary Perspective on Yoruba Mythology and The Relevance, Today,” published on the Toyin Falola Network.
According to Dasylva, the article partly celebrated the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, held on July 14, 2026.
Before I go on, however, let me mention, in passing, but for the maturity and discipline demonstrated by both the organisers, and the very cultured invited guests, an extreme patience taken for granted by some leaders and cultural icons, the well organised inauguration event of a foremost Yoruba Cultural Institute could have been thoroughly messed up, courtesy of the usual ‘Nigerian thing’, widely referred to as ‘African time,’” he wrote.
Dasylva said the event was scheduled to begin at 9am, with dignitaries, including retired Bishop (Prince) Ladigbolu, already seated, while the programme indicated that the Alaafin was expected at 9:55am.
The university lecturer alleged that the monarch did not arrive until 12:20pm, forcing guests to wait for more than three hours.
“However, the event had to be kept on hold, courtesy of Alaafin Owoade, who arrived at the venue at 12:20pm.
“In other words, people, including yours truly, were kept waiting for over three hours before the event finally took off.
“Perhaps it wouldn’t have mattered much had other important and peripheral activities including cultural dances, been allowed to fill up the gap pending the Alaafin’s arrival, but no.
“Everyone was kept waiting and wondering what could have taken the monarch that long to attend to a great honour bestowed on the revered Throne of the Alaafin and Ancestry.”
The professor said what disappointed him most was the absence of an apology from either the monarch or his representatives.
“Unfortunately, not a word of apology for the lateness of the Imperial Majesty and his entourage, either by his spokesperson or directly by His Imperial Majesty!
“But as a teacher of culture, a proud Yoruba, and an advocate of our rich African cultural heritage, I found that rather strange and incomprehensible.”
Dasylva argued that while such behaviour had become common among some politicians, it should not be associated with a foremost Yoruba monarch.
“I do know that many uncultured Nigerian politicians who have refused to outgrow their adult delinquency regularly do that a lot and take the people they are meant to serve for granted.
“However, may I say in all humility, it is least expected of a foremost Yoruba monarch, a significant institution that embodies Yoruba cultural values and the requisite discipline.
“To whom much is given much is required.
“Again, in all humility, I stand to be corrected.”
As at the time of filing this report, Oba Owoade, who is currently on vacation to Manitoba, Canada, where he resided before becoming Alaafin, could not be reached for comments on the professor’s condemnation.
In the next 6 months, Abuja residents can now link Lugbe from Nile University.
Construction of Collector Road CO1 from the Nile University area to Ring Road III (Lugbe) is now going on.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was at the site to inspect the project, which was flagged off last month.
Watch:
Gunmen abduct eight poly students in Ogun
Varsity don slams Alaafin over three-hour delay, lack of apology at event
Video: Six months from now Abuja residents can now link Lugbe from Nile varsity
-
News24 hours agoWe Are Already Campaigning With Performance, Elections Won’t Slow Projects, Says Wike(Photos)
-
Sports23 hours agoJust in: Neymar Jr finally Confirms Retirement From Brazil Duty
-
News23 hours agoFinally, FG endorses herbal medicines to treat cancers, hepatitis B, others
-
News23 hours agoFake Presidential Council: HCSF Reveals Establishment Act Submitted is Fake
-
News23 hours agoJust in: Tinubu’s govt exceeds borrowing target as new debt jumps to N12.62tn
-
News18 hours ago2027: Bende Monarchs Endorse Kalu for Third Term, Reject Zoning Claims
-
News23 hours agoPolice nab father-in-law of widow being harassed 8 days after her husband’s d*ath
-
News8 hours agoVideo: New FCT CBD Bus terminal set to begin operations in September