Labour unions accuse Obiano of N2.7bn indebtedness, issues 14-day Ultimatum

Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano it has been reveale3d is indebted to some labour unions in the state to the tune of N2.7bn. these are accumulations from the previous governments in the state.

 

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Technical and recreational services(AUPCTRE), has to this end given the governor a 14-day ultimatum to either pay up the accumulated debt or face battle in the state.

 

The demands, according to AUPCTRE, are to settle debts of its workers in parastatals and agencies totaling two billion, seven hundred and fifty million naira(N2.750bn) owed them.

 

They also handed the governor an order to recall workers of Anambra State environmental protection Agency(ANSEPA), whose appointments were illegally and unjustly terminated and payment of their arrears from January 2012 to July 2015 paid.

 

All these were contained in a communiqué issued by the union after a marathon meeting with the agencies and parastatals held at its office in Awka, yesterday.

 

The communiqué was signed by Sure Okafor, State Chairman AUPCTRE, Emma Anyadufu, State Secretary; Maneke Sixtus, Water Corporation; Simeon Nwafor, Coordinating secretary; Peter Okafor; ANSEPA Coordinating Chairman among others.

 

Other agencies and parastatals at the meeting were; ANSEPA, Anambra State Water Corporation(ANSWC), Volunteer Service Agency(VSA) and Anambra State Marketing Company Limited(AMC).

 

 

The labour Union alleged that the state government was owing ANSEPA staff 300million Naira, Water Corporation, 2.3billion Naira between January 2012 to July 2015, and Marketing Board, N150million  between 2002 and July 2015.

 

AUPCTRE further demanded the absorption of VSA workers by the state government to the core ministry and the promotion/advancement of the workers since 20 years.

 

They recalled all the efforts made to see the governor with a view to resolving the issues, but all to no avail, which they gave reference to their letters, dated 27/05/2015 and 30/03/2015 respectively.

 

According to the communiqué, “sequel to the above, the meeting will appreciate the Anambra State government to graciously, respond positively within 14 days from the date of the communiqué, otherwise this state union will be compelled to join the national ;leadership of AUPCTRE to explore all legitimate means to help the workers needs met,” it said.

ENDS.

Emeakayi elected Anambra PDP chairman amidst boycott of congress

Prince Ken Emeakayi has been elected the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State in a congress of the party held Saturday evening, which was also very poorly attended.

The 26 member state executives, whose elections were conducted had only that of the chairman announced by Mr Ike Abonyi the chairman of the congress committee, leaving all wondering if the other positions were not important.

Emeakayi who was the sole candidate for the chairmanship position and said to have been chairman of thre party since the days of former governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju polled 958 votes, while nine of the votes cast were voided as announced by the chairman of the 5-man congress committee, Mr Ike Abonyi.

Visible signs that the members of the congress organizing committee anticipated trouble as most members of the party expressed disenchantment with the congress was the presence of armed  security operatives with Tope Fasugba, a superintendent of police leading the charge in maintaining peace.

The exercise was however rancor free, but most members of the party insisted that the congress was illegally conducted with the party’s national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh as the sole mastermind.

The disenchantment of the members of the party over the congress may have further fuelled speculations that majority of the PDP faithful were likely to join the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC within weeks.

The indication was given last week by the governorship candidate of the party during the last governorship election, Comrade Tony Nwoye, while briefing reporters in Awka.

Nwoye and other major stakeholders in the state had called on the party’s national working committee, NWC to shift the congress within five days to give aspirants time to purchase forms as the publication fell within the public holidays when banks were not working.

Furthermore, they said if their requests were not granted, stakeholders would not hesitate to choose another option available to them.

It was gathered at the weekend that big shots in the state PDP like Prince Arthur Eze, Senator Andy Uba, Sir Emeka Offor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo among others, already had their one legs in APC waiting for their foot soldiers to make the pronouncement.

Emeakayi who was hailed by some members of the party after he was announced winner seemed to have gotten winds of the disenchantment of members, leading to his not visibly celebrating his victory.

He refused to address members of the party when he was handed the microphone by the chairman of the committee, Abonyi, and also refused to speak to journalists, but rather sneaked out of the congress ground, into his car and drove off, leaving party faithful in confusion over his behavior despite his purported victory.

GROUP EXPOSES MODERN DAY SLAVERY IN NIGERIA MEDIA

Staff Indebtedness: A Monster Threatening The Foundation Of Independent Media In Nigeria

(Onitsha Nigeria, 23^rd July 2015)- An extensive investigation carried out recently by the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) showed clearly that there are three hydra-headed monsters threatening the foundation of independent media establishments and press freedom in Nigeria, particularly the print and visual media. These are: indebtedness, corruption and unprofessionalism.  Media indebtedness is triggered by greed and maximization of proceeds on the part of the independent media proprietors. Media corruption, on its part, is caused by corruption of the media industry and injection of billions of naira derived from ill-gotten wealth as well as ownership of many of them by corrupt former public office holders particularly former, and in some cases, serving State governors; for the purposes of influencing and skewing public opinions on matters of politics, ethnicity and religion, as well as covering their kleptomaniac and homicidal records in office. Media unprofessionalism is caused by vicious factors like promotion of ethno-religious clannishness and personal interests; poor working condition and job de-satisfaction on the part of staff or media practitioners, occasioned by poor remuneration and remuneration arrears of journalists as well as general ineffective and inefficient media management policies and actions. Our extensive investigation also found that media indebtedness, corruption and unprofessionalism are interwoven, resulting to guided press freedom in present democratic dispensation.

The sad situation above mentioned is similar in color and outlook to the media dark days particularly under Decree No. 4 of 1984 (limitation of press freedom and independence), enacted and enforced to the letter by the Buhari’s inglorious military epoch of January 1984 to August 1985. The Decree under reference was drafted on March 29, 1984 and its dreaded nature was only second to another Buhari’s repressive decree called “Decree No. 2 0f 1984 (State’s indefinite detention of persons)”. The anti press freedom Decree was promulgated to whittle press freedom and punish through long pretrial detention and “no right of appeal” sentencing of authors of “false statements”, “rumors” and reports that exposed the Buhari’s iron fisted military government and its official to “ridicule” and “contempt”. It also provided for the presidential proscription at his whims and caprices of the affected independent media houses or outfits.

Indebted Media Houses:

The extensive investigation of ours under reference followed wide outcries in the media by media practitioners including the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) against huge staff remuneration indebtedness by proprietors of many independent media houses in Nigeria. For instance, the Lagos State Branch of the NUJ had few weeks ago picketed the premises/corporate office of the Thisday Newspaper in the State over nine (9) arrears it owed members of its editorial department. There are at least eleven (11) independent media houses in the country owing workers of different categories in their editorial departments.

Apart from the Thisday Newspaper, other ten (10) owing independent media houses are  the African Independent Television (AIT), seventeen (17) months, Daily Independent Newspaper nine (9) months, Tell Magazine eight (8) months, National Mirror seven (7) months, the Newswatch (Daily Newswatch) seven (7) months, the News Magazine nine (9) months, the PM News nine (9) months, Daily Champion Newspaper eighteen (18) months, the Hallmark Newspaper eight (8) months and the Daily Times Newspaper six (6) months.

Parasitic Staffing:

Apart from huge indebtedness under reference, there is also parasitic staffing policy adopted by other independent media houses as well as a number of indebted ones. This is a policy whereby reporters working for the referenced are not remunerated, but asked or allowed to be filing stories with their real or pseudo names. Some of these reporters are paid stipends at every month end, which depends on the number of their reports that were published. The Vanguard and the Guardian Newspapers are typical examples of independent media outfits engaged in this policy in Nigeria.  In other cases, such reporters are just asked or allowed to be filing stories without receiving a dime at the month end. To survive, those reporters are forced to depend heavily on “brown envelopes” from their news “customers”, leading to hunting and publication of “any news brown envelope can fetch”.

Brown Envelopes As Triggers Of Media Corruption & Unprofessionalism:

The three hydra-headed monsters highlighted above have been, and are still responsible for under-growth and guided media freedom in Nigeria. Until the advent of online media industry in Nigeria, news reports and publications were “brown-enveloped”. Till date, the sad culture is still in vogue to an extent, if not large extent. Owing to brown envelope culture and corruption of the media sector by corrupt and illicitly rich former and serving political office holders and their accomplices; the independent media sub-sector has steadily recorded under-growth and guided press freedom.

It is guided press freedom, when the media departs from the cradle of conscience of the masses and enters into the infamous hall of enemies of the masses by journalistically canonizing enemies of better society and crowning them as kings of unjust society. Owing to media corruption, unprofessionalism has become the order of the day. Media reports in the country are now dominated by vested interests and ethno-religious primordialism. Creative, investigative and innovative stories are sidelined and stories of infantile or none public importance and development now take precedent over the former with utter alacrity and impunity. In all these, “press freedom” looks real, but “independence of the press” is combatively challenged owing to its oiling and midwifery by captains of corruption and “ethno-religious jingoists”.

As this solidarity statement of ours coincides with the ongoing national delegates’ conference and election of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), we humbly and firmly call for a lasting solution to independent media houses’ indebtedness in Nigeria. The policy of parasitic staffing retained by other media houses as above explained, is also frowned at. Apart from breeding media corruption, it also entrenches media unprofessionalism leading to present media woes in the country.

We call for total abolition of the corruption friendly policy under reference and its replacement with across board allowance or contract based policy; whereby all freelance journalists writing for all media houses will be engaged on clearly defined and remunerated contract basis, renewable or revocable within a specified period. In other words, we recommend “remunerated associate staff policy”. The indebted media house owners including the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria are firmly called upon to settle and offset all remuneration arrears so owed as a matter of uttermost immediacy. The Federal Government of Nigeria is also called upon to, within its licensing and regulatory competence and oversights to ensure owed editorial workers of all the media houses in the country are paid all their entitlements without further delays.

The NUJ on its part is also enjoined to rise above pecuniary culture and journalistic quackery that have eaten deep into the country’s media sector and rebrand its journalistic mirror back to the hallowed baptismal name of “conscience of the masses”.  Sustained efforts must also be made to recover the soul of the Nigerian media from the parasitic grips of “the captains of corruption in Nigeria”. The managements of the Punch, the Vanguard and the Channel Television are exceptionally commended for keeping faith with their staff remunerations. Though, the Vanguard Newspaper is cleared from the list of debtor-media houses, but it is culpable as it concerns “parasitic staffing policy” explained above. Our choice of the trio stems from the fact that it is not only that they are up to date with payment of the remunerations of their editorial workers,  but also the ownership of their media outfits is yet to be traced to any of the captains of corruption in Nigeria”.  Others left out in this exceptional commendation of ours, who also keep faith with their staff remunerations; are either wholly or partly owned by some captains of corruption in Nigeria who used public stolen wealth to establish such media outfits.

 Finally, we shall continue to commend and appreciate the online media outfits in Nigeria. The advent of the outfits changed the media equation in the country and introduced vibrancy and healthy competition into the industry. They also made it possible for Nigeria and Nigerians to join world global village where news are quick, easily read, cheaply sourced and exchanged. One of the greatest goals achieved by the online media revolution in the country is the breaking of age-long monopoly hitherto held and enjoyed by the media of Southwest extraction.

 Specifically, the staffs and managements of leading online news bodies like the Nigerian News Express, the Nigerian Voice, the Will, the Republic Reporters,  “the Biafran Online News”, the Neighborhood (online) Newspaper, the Trent News, the Nigerian Masterweb, the Elombah Reports, the Chidiopara Reports, the Advocate News, the All News & Reports, the Street Reporters, the Odogwu Reports, the Premium Times, the Osun Defenders,  the Inews Digest, the Global Reporters Vienna, the Odera Reports, the News247 Reports , to mention but few; are commended and thanked in a very special way and urged to keep the candle of light burning ceaselessly over social darkness.

Signed:

Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chairman

International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law

+2348174090052 (office)

emekaumeagbalasi@yahoo.co.uk, info@intersociety-ng.org

Uzochukwu Oguejiofor-Nwonu (Mrs.), Esq.

Head, Campaign & Publicity Department

Chiugo Onwuatuegwu (Miss), Esq.

Head, Democracy & Good Governance Program

Obianuju Igboeli (Miss), Esq., Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program

Umeh Optimistic of victory over Ekwunife as court admits evidence

The former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has expressed optimism that he will sack Senator Uche Ekwunife from the upper chambers as the evidence he presented before the court are foolproof.

Umeh who spoke to journalists after he left the court hall said, said the INEC made foundamental errors in declaring Ekwunife returned, and that the court has the resp[onsibility of determining the complicity of the Police, Army and even INEC in the election.

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka Thursday fixed July 24 for continuation of hearing in the petition filed by Chief Victor Umeh against Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra Central).

 

Umeh and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is challenging Ekwunife's victory on grounds that the March 28 poll conducted for Anambra Central Senatorial district was fraught with electoral malpractices.

 

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Nayai Aganaba adjourned the petition after admitting in evidence volumes of documents including forms EC8A (polling units results), EC8B (ward results) and EC8C (local councils results) used for the poll.

 

Also tendered and admitted was the PDP Electoral Guideline 2014, a copy of letter dated Nov. 4, 2014 written by the national chairman of APGA to the national chairman of the PDP and APGA certificate issued to Umeh as the senatorial candidate of the party after the party’s primary.

 

Form CF001 being INEC’s acknowledgment of candidates’ names issued to Umeh was also admitted as exhibit by the tribunal.

 

Counsel to the respondents; Mr Okechukwu Ezechukwu for INEC, Mr Peter Eze for Ekwunife and George Igbokwe for PDP did not object to the documents tendered by Umeh's counsel, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN).

Rev. Fr. Onebunne Bags Excellence And Diligence Award

The Manager of St. Mary's High School, Ifitedunu Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra , Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Onebunne (Bulldozer) has received an excellence and diligence award from Tiv Youths Liberation Movement (TYOLIM) for his contributions in education as well as his exploits in character formation of children.

Presenting the award the president Tiv Youths Liberation Movement, Comrade John Shima said the choice of Rev. Fr. Onebunne came as a result of recommendation made by a serving corps member, Comrade Jacob Kumapinene who incidentally happened to be an executive member of TYOLIM.

He said the association after a thorough check on Rev. Fr. Onebunne's track records came all the way from Benue State to reward hardwork even as he urged him to maintain the tempo. He stated that the association had five axis  namely: Jengbagh, Sankara, Kwande, Jechira and Mimdo axis adding that they were out to ensure that good work don't go unnoticed.

Comrade Shima said based on what he was told about Rev. Fr. Onebunne that he (Fr. Onebunne) derived joy in making others happy even at the expense of his comfort.

Earlier in a speech, the vice president TYOLIM, Jengbagh axis and a serving corps member with St. Mary High School, Comrade Jacob Kumapinene described Rev. Fr. Onebunne as a sincere man of God, man of uncommon character, a friend of the poor and a cheerful leader saying that his creative ingenuity had made his stay in the school a memorable one. He appreciated him for the ongoing transformation in the school even as he pledged his support to the school management.

Responding, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Onebunne thanked the association for the recognition and promised to do more . Rev. Fr. Onebunne, while describing the award and recognition as a call for more service, said all the achievements recorded would not have been possible without the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor whom he said gave him the opportunity to serve, the teachers and students of St. Mary's High School, Ifitedunu noting that the teachers and the students understand the purpose of teaching and learning.

According Rev. Fr. Onebunne who was immediate past manager of Holy Child Second School, Isuofia Aguata Council Area of the State, the school major objective was to encourage a more reputation sensitive society and to generate appropriate man power that would sustain focus and also to churn out individuals that would respect the dignity of every person in Nigeria.

He further noted that he owes a duty to posterity to build a future to avoid children laying blames on their fathers for failing in their responsibility, pointing out that acquisition of skills, which St. Mary's High School stands for  was to produce the middle level man as well as job creators

The award ceremony which started with words of commendation attracted men from all walks of life notable among whom were Anambra State Commissioner for Women's Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Victoria Chikwelu; Veteran broadcaster and presenter, Chief Mrs Ify Obinabo (Adaugo Ufuma) among others.

The event featured presentation of award, speeches, responses and entertainment.

ANAMBRA PDP IN WAR PATH: Metuh accused of evil plot

By David-Chyddy Eleke, Awka

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh has been accused by his kinsmen in Anambra State of masterminding the destruction of the party in the state.

Stakeholders of the party in the state consisting of Rt Hon Kelue Molokwu, a former deputy speaker of the Anambra State house of assembly and other foundation members of the party in a press conference yesterday said Metuh wants to take over the running of the party and has therefore been working to ensure that his minions get the leadership of the party.

The stakeholders of the party insisted that the actions of Metuh were capable of destroying the party, and therefore called on the members of the national working committee of the party to reign him in, before it is too late.

Metuh was instrumental to the slating of the party’s ward congress for Tuesday next week, after publicizing on Thursday, they said. They said this was done knowing fully well that Friday through Monday are public holidays, and aspirants would be unable to access fund to go about the congress.

They said that even though the sales of forms were announced on Thursday, the form are still lying at the Wadata Plaza Headquaters of the party, yet some people favoured by Metuh have had the forms distributed to them by hand, even without payment.

Part of the text distributed to journalists reads, “The timing of the congress is very wrong, especially with the ward congress which will be held on Tuesday, bearing in Mind that Friday was a public holiday and will remain so until Tuesday.

“we are at a loss where to pick the form, as at this very moment, we are reliably informed that the forms are still lying at the PDP Wadata Plaza, Abuja. We expect that for a congress, a meeting of stakeholders would have predated the congress, but as at this moment, we are yet to know who the congress committee are and everything is shrouded in secrecy.

“What we are saying is that Olisa Metuh is using his power as a member of the NWC to manipulate everything by himself, as we are told from a reliable source in Abuja that NWC does not even know of this, but being masterminded by Metuh.

“We are therefore calling on the national working committee of the party to reign in Olisa Metuh and save this party from collapse and destruction.

The group said that with power having eluded the party both at the state and federal level, the only way to bring back the confidence of the people is to hold a free and fair congress that will reflect the wishes of the people.

Some of those who signed the document which also called for postponement of the congress include; Hon Jessy Balonwu, Basil Ejidike, Ken Arinze, and Chris Okoye among several others, all being foundation members of the party at the state level.

Practice responsible Journalism, Anambra Govt tells Bloggers

 In a bid to ensure freedom of information law passed by the 7th National Assembly is respected to ensure public office holders are accountable to the people and access to information of government is respected, the Anambra state government has expounded his administration resolve to work with the media to deliver open door policy of governance devoid of selfless leadership prowess to the people.
He assured that his government has remained one of the administrations that has also taken into consideration of including media practitioners in the programme of government to provide open access to information about Anambra state added that his administration is willing to strengthened the already established relationship with the media if adequate reporting and respect for institution of government are observed.
Speaking to members of the Anambra State Online Publishers in Awka, the Anambra state commissioner for health Doctor Jeosapath Akabuike, assured the readiness of the state government to strengthen the already existing relationship with journalists and however express hope that it would be extended to the men of the Online Publishers, being the nascent and fastest way of information disseminations network.
                                 
Though expressed disappointment in some media practitioners who rush without crosschecking their facts before reports are published but charged journalists to ensure they eschew derogatory reportage in the interest of the country.
‘’One thing that is very shocking to us is that our people I mean some media practitioners are always very fast in projecting derogatory images and views, that is why a times when you see some people, they may decide not to talk at all so that they may not be miss represented or misquoted in any form.
So the media instead of being an agent to shape the government becomes the one that is destructive if you people remember, that was what made the late Professor Dora Akunyili to try to reposition Nigeria before the entire world that we are not as bad as we are painted'.
He continued, ''This your association from what I understood I know is something that came into that, that is why I say I commend you so much for thinking along that line, it is because of the fear of miss representation and miss quotation that makes people to shy aware from media’’. Akabuike said.
Doctor Akabuike however charged the social media publishers  to always engendered professionalism in the discharge of their duties and ensure public office holders are not disengaged from their constitutional duties base on wrong or  mis-representation of information of government and buoyed on the fact to disengage from the relationship  entered into with the Anambra state online publishers if discovered it does not reflect the term at which he entered into the relationship which is subject to secession when the need arises.
‘’My charge is that if you want to write anything about anybody or institution of government, first read it again and asks yourself if you are promoting of damaging that person.
In as much that I quite appreciate and I know the power of social media, I don’t support or suggest the situation where people use it to throw up all forms of gossips and all forms of careless statements or use it to promote irrelevant information because I know that is what some people would want to hear but I urge you to always communicate an information of peace and ensure you don’t do anything that will project war and Anarchy and ensure you occasionally do some investigative journalism.
‘I am ready to partner with you , I am sure there in no union and no MoU we have signed, if we are getting what we bargain for I will work with you but you must operate at a very narrow and safe margin and decency, if I discover that you go contrary to the terms which I see is below standard and see you would want to promote derogatory  and careless journalism, I am ready to break away ‘’ He charged.
Earlier in the courtesy visit, the Anambra state Online Publishers headed by the state coordinator, Mr. Bamidele Ajayi had requested the support of the ministry to ensure their operation is supported and disclosed effort by the union to streamline operation of persons using the online media to damage individuals and institution of government noted that the union would serve as police to regulate online publishers within in state to ensure ethics of journalism profession is observed.
He assured the commissioner on the union's resolve to ensure non practitioners or willing members are compelled to instill discipline and see that project Anambra state is portrayed in positive light to the international community, owing to the fact that social media information dissemination is an un regulated media but could be used to sharpen the society and project art and culture of the people that would in turn encourage  foreign direct investment to the state and Nigeria at large.

We have lived up to expectations in anti-vandalism campaign --- NSCDC official

An Assistant Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr Ben Dikuro has said that the organisation has lived up to expectations in the anti-vandalism campaign.

Dikuro made the observation on Wednesday at a send forth ceremony in his honor after serving for 16 months as the Anambra Commandant of the NSCDC.

He said that the NSCDC under his administration in the state has created awareness on its activities, reduced vandalism of government assets and petroleum pipelines to a barest minimum.

“Prior to my posting to the state, pipeline and government asset vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products was high, but it has reduced to a barest minimum even though more needed to be done.

“The NSCDC has also streamlined the workings of the Private Guard Companies (PGC) in the state and helped to enhance their capacity for optimum security of lives and property.

“We sustained a cordial relationship and collaborated with other security agencies to provide security to citizens especially during the 2015 general elections.

“In all modesty, the NSCDC has lived up to the expectations of the founding fathers,” Dikuro stated.

The assistant commandant-general however noted that more was required to put the service in good stead in order to tackle anti-vandalism and other security effectively.

According to him, there is the dearth of staff in the NSCDC; we need more recruitment of officers and men to be able to cover the nooks and crannies of the country.

“As a matter of urgency, there should be a quarterly recruitment of officers at all levels.

“Also, the statutory funding of the NSCDC should also be improved especially to boost the training facilities of officers to further boost service delivery to the country,” Dikuro stated.

He commended officers for honouring him and advised them to remain alive to their responsibility and learn more about the workings and system of the NSCDC.

Various speakers from sister security agencies including the Prisons, Immigration, DSS, Army, Police, NDLEA and NOA, among others lauded Dikuro’s commitment to work and level of cooperation.

In his remarks, Chief Maduka Atuehi, the chairman, All license Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Anambra chapter, commended Dikuro’s contributions towards reforming the PGC in the state.

Atuehi however expressed concern over the activities of vigilante groups in the state, noting that they had taken over the constitutional role of PGC.

“Vigilante groups are meant to be community police but you will find out that they work everywhere; work in restaurants, hospitals and government facilities, among others which ought to be the job of PGC,” Atuehi said.

He appealed to the state government and the NSCDC to fashion out ways to correct the anomaly by recalling all vigilante men back to their communities for policing.

The chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider approving arms to the PGC in order to carry out their duties effectively.

21 Children disappears from Anambra Motherless babies home

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About 21 children said to be inmates of Madonna Angels Community Children’s home (Motherless babies home), Atani, Ogbaru local government area are said to have gone missing, with wife of Anambra state Governor, Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano ordering immediate probe into the disappearance.

According to the commissioner for Women’s affairs in Anambra State, Mrs Victoria Chikelu, Chief Mrs Obiano who supervises the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is greatly pained by the development and insisted the details of the missing children must be found.

It was gathered that the 21 children were given birth to by teenage girls who were discovered in the home during a raid by personnel of the Directorate for Security Services(DSS).

A source said, “The disappearance of the children was after DSS discovered teenage mothers in the home and arrested them , thus forcing the ministry officials and the Nigerian police to do further investigation , only to discover that there were 21 babies which have so far been put to birth by the teenagers.”

“The Governor’s wife was not happy at that because she frowns at any kind of child trafficking and has vowed to stop the perpetrators by all means possible, and you will remember that she has asked all traffickers in the state to leave Anambra or face the wrath of the law”

A police source said, “ we discovered the missing children as the home had 26 children before DSS allegedly burst the home harbouring 14 pregnant girls in the home against what they were registered for. The DSS officials got curious on asking where those who have delivered kept their babies but did not get satisfactory answers.

The Anambra Police PPRO, Uche Ezeh could not be reached as at press time for his comment but officials at the ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development confirmed the development.

When contacted the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Victoria Chikelu confirmed the development but said she was in the Exco meeting and referred our reporter to the Permanent Secretary Mrs Victoria Mgbemena for details of what transpired.

Efforts to contact the Reverend Sister in-charge of the home, Reverend Sister Uyanne for clarification could not be possible.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has ordered for closure of the home.