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Showing posts with label Awba-Ofemili. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awba-Ofemili. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Orogbu: Why I recommitted to Awba-Ofemili University of Agriculture - NaijaAgroNet

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The member representing Awka North/South in the Federal House of Representatives, Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu, has explained why she recommitted to the bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Awba-Ofemili, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Orogbu: Why I recommitted to Awba-Ofemili University of Agriculture - NaijaAgroNet
Orogbu in her motion Wednesday in Abuja, called for the recommittal of the Bill to the Committee of the whole to fast-rack it’s passage.

Friday, October 14, 2022

FLOOD: ALeP urges NEMA, Anambra State govt to assist Awba-Ofemili victims - NaijaAgroNet

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Anambra State government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo have been asked to urgently assist flood victims in Awba-Ofemili town among others.
Flooded St Paul primary school, Aguenu village, Awba-Ofemili
Awba-Ofemili is a community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State and was heavily ravaged by the recent flood, sacking some villages including in Umuosite and some parts of Ege, Nkpuocha, Oka-akwu, Ngene Nkpumekwu communities to name a few.

Friday, September 24, 2021

Brief history of Awba-Ofemili - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

Awba-Ofemili is a town in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The town has an estimated population of 15,978 according to the 2006 Nigerian Census. Awba-Ofemili has eight villages, each of which made up small communities of kindreds.

The eight villages in Awba-Ofemili today include Umuokpe, Umuchibu, Ezike, Akpana, Enugwu-Agu, Umuosite, Enugwu, Umuezeavu.

HRH Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna,
Ofemili 1 of Awba-Ofemili

Awba-Ofemili is about 30kilometers (km) from Awka, the capital city of Anambra State. Like most towns in Awka-North, Awba-Ofemili’s climate and soil conditions are favorable to farming, especially for rice mass production.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Night marauders and masquerades in Awba-Ofemili - NaijaAgroNet

Commentary@NaijaAgroNet:
It has become pertinent for all well-meaning indigenes and people to condemn in totality the attitude of night marauders in the name of masquerades, of any kind in Awba-Ofemili.

Awba-Ofemili, is a quiet farming boundary-town reputed for fishery and mass-rice production in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The earlier we join hands to redefine their existence the better for us all and future of Awba-Ofemili as a town worthy of development.

Attacking people in their homes was never the idea but due to changing times and abuse, it's high time we redefine this kind of night masquerade culture if we are not going to have deaths in our hands.

In some climes in Igbo land such night masquerades take effect from midnight till about 4am and are restricted to the major roads, even in some parts of Lagos.

Nowadays what we hear and see is the opposite and attack on people at homes, which if put mildly is robbery attempts. The other time it was key to orchestrated attack in and on the churches where they were holding Virgil with shooting of guns in the name of what? Culture or night masquerade?

I have been thinking since learning of recent attack in Awba-Ofemili by a night marauder who disguised as a night masquerade, what is the value proposition to our corporate existence as a town wishing to develop much better than we currently foresee.

Now that electricity has come, our hope and prayer is that more jobs including artisans from other towns and even professionals like Dr and Nurses etc will reside in Awba-Ofemili, so we have got to wake up proactively to ensure such undue attacks at home does not repeat.

Therefore, I urge the President General (PG) of Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), @Hon. Iyke Oforkansi, to liaise with the town’s leadership, @Ezekwesili Maduagwuna, the Igwe-in-Council for us to redefine this among other hindering cultures for the betterment of Awba-Ofemili.

Cultures are meant for man not the other way round.

Awba-Ofemili Makanu!!!

*Remmy Nweke, Chairman, ADU Lagos

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Pix: Igwe Ofemili 1 of Awba-Ofemili, HRH Ezekwesili Maduagwuna

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Awba-Ofemili: Christians vs Pagans, 20 critically injured

NaijaAgroNet:

News reaching us shows that there was blood letting in the sleeping town of Awba-Ofemili in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State, following a clash between Christians and touts who claimed to be pagans in the town reputed for its ‘Awba-Ofemili rice.’

NaijaAgroNet gathered that not less than 20 Christians were heavily injured with matchet cuts during a Christian vigil crusade held inside St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Awba-Ofemili, even as this may not be unconnected to 2012 flood largesse, which petition is before the Anambra State government and was jointly signed by Rev. Fr. Emma Ezenwata and Rev. Patrick Odinanwa.

Also, St. Paul’s Catholic Church was not left out as its roof was said to have been perforated with gun bullets by these touts who claim to be pagans as well as the Parish House recently completed by the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), while the Rice Mill, also owned by CWO was burnt down alongside some bags of rice awaiting milling.

Another source in the town told NaijaAgroNet that a day before, that is Sunday night, there was some skirmishes of threats in the town, culminating in the attack of St. Paul’s Anglican Church by same group of people, who claimed that they were observing ‘Obia-na-uchichi’ that is night masquerade season.

It was gathered in good authority that these hoodlums carted away the generating set that supplied electricity to the church, venue of the vigil on Sunday night.

Further sources from the town pointed accusing figures to the leadership of the town, under a regent Chief 
Benard Nwanelo and vigilante group, who up till the time of this report has not made any arrest. Efforts to get the side of Chief Nwanelo at the time of filing this report was not successful as his mobile phone was said to be switched off.

According to the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Awba-Ofemili, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel  Ezenwata, who was out of town at the time of this incident, the pagans in the town burnt church building, blustered the roofs and ceilings of new Fathers’ House and destroyed building of some Christians in the town.

A source, who pleaded for anonymity said that the wind of the crisis was very evident during last weekend, leading to summon of the church leaders and those claiming traditionalists in preparation for the annual ceremony which last for about a week, and which forbids women from being outside from about 6pm and restricts movement likewise, except for the initiates.

“Despite the insistence of both parties to shed their swords, the town regent did not involve the Police, knowingly fully well that the security of the town was under threat,” our source alleged.

The catechist of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Awba-Ofemili, was said to be the most injured with several matchet cuts among 20 members of the Christendom attending the vigil, while the priest in-charge, Rev. Patrick Odinanwa, escaped through the nearby bush.

Unfortunately, the two medical centres in the town were reported to have since stopped working and the nearest is located at Ebenebe, near Amansea with poor road network.

“This could lead in deaths due to uncontrolled bleeding by the injured,” our source lamented.
Confirming this to NaijaAgroNet, President General, Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), Mr. Chukwuma Nwabufo told correspondent, he was on his way to the town, decrying the incident, adding that the town has been very accommodative to any religion and did not understand why there should be a fracas this time around, even as he appealed for calm.

He has also reached out to the Divisional Police Officer in Ugbene, a neighbouring town on the matter, among the state apparatus.

Meanwhile, NaijaAgroNet recalls that a few weeks ago, both priests, Rev. Fr. Ezenwata and Rev. Odinanwa jointed petitioned the Anambra State government over the misappropriation of the N3 million meant for flood victims in the town last year.

The petition addressed to the Secretary to the Anambra State Government and Chairman, Committee on Flooding Anambra State, indicted some key members of the town union in collaboration with the town’s Regent, the Onosolu Eze, Chief Nwanelo, for allegedly connived with each other to divert the said fund.

NaijaAgroNet further learnt that following the intervention of one of its sons, Mr. Sabastine Okoye, who is the current Commissioner for Environment, the matter was withdrawn to be settled at home.


The joint petition which was also sent to the Governor Anambra State, had the Catholic Bishop of Awka and his Anglican counterpart, as well as the Transition Chairman, Awka – North L.G.A, the Regent and ADU president general, all in copy.

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Anambra State: The Flood and Awba-Ofemili People


 Preamble:
The recent flooding that affected Anambra State, no doubt, must have exposed it to a lot of characters, administrative lapses and leadership questions begging for some answers, especially concerning the politicking going-on over the flood and affected communities.
Anambra State, is a name ordinarily taken from a popular river linking the River Niger and known as ‘Anambra’ or ‘Omabala’ River. Strategically located in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, Anambra State is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north, claiming to have one of the highest population densities on the continent.
The state comprises numerous thickly populated villages, a number of small towns and a few major towns; some areas are so thickly populated that the estimated density is 1500-2000 persons living within every square kilometre. One of such towns is Awba-Ofemili in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State, which has border with Enugu State via Ibeto-Olo.

Awba-Ofemili, a town cut-off by flood:
Though Awba-Ofemili was cut-off by the recent flood surge, culminating in loss of properties and agricultural products worth billions of Naira, there was no record of loss of live yet. Mainly an agrarian town, Awba-Ofemili, reputed for massive rice production is located less than 25 minutes drive from the capital city of Awka, Anambra State, under normal circumstances where good roads prevail. Incidentally, lack of accessible road has been the bane of development in Awka-North and Awba-Ofemili precisely.
Speaking on the recent flood, chairman, Lagos branch of Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), Mr. Kenneth Okoye told NaijaAgroNet the situation is lamentable, saying that Awba-Ofemili as an agrarian community known for rice production has lost a lot of economic products worth billions of Naira, including cassava, yam and plantain farms, while some building soaked by the flood have since given way.
Describing the flood as unbelievable, says its worrisome that the government of Anambra State did not find it worthy to visit the town in the peak of the disaster, he enjoined well spirited individuals to come to the aid of the towns affected by this River Niger surge, especially Awba-Ofemili.
The Awba-Ofemili town was seriously hit with this surge that farmers no longer attend to their farms, while all the eight villages that made up the town remain drastically affected.
Our reporter who visited the community and spoke to some of the indigenes discovered that one of the villages in Awba-Ofemili, Umuosite, was under water thereby cut off with most residents relocating to a building along Umuosite Road for their safety, while those living along the Umuosite road were sacked as they now use canoe to pass between Umuosite and other villages like Oyeagu and Akpana.

Women leader calls on Obi, FG, NEMA
One of the residents and women leader in Awba-Ofemili, Madam Christiana Nweke said that the level of flood reached a lintel of one of the storey buildings along Umuosite Road and made the road, especially leading to farm lands around that area unaccessible, whilst the flood lasted.
The women leader called on the government, especially Gov. Peter Obi to quickly come to their aid, while praying that the flood subsidises permanently.
It was further gathered that the only major road leading to Awba-Ofemili, which has been begging for attention over the years, was cut off too as indigenes trying to access Awka the capital city of Anambra State, were being ferried at four points before they could even get to neighbouring town like Ugbenu.
At the Agu-enu part of the town, especially behind the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the flood was not stopped, as it took the church land for granted.
Further investigations showed that Hon. Mrs. Joy Enweluzor, the chairperson, Awka-North, visited the Awba-Ofemili town on canoe with her team of executive and promised to send food stuff and other aids to the town.
Our sources said that several letters on the flooded Awba-Ofemili and environs have been communicated to the governor of Anambra State, who is yet to visit the affected town personally.
They called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) not to forget Awba-Ofemili town in the course of their distribution of aids to flood victims.

Gov. Obi of Anambra State
Flood disaster emergency fund
Despite the fact that the Anambra State government set up a three-man Flood Disaster Emergency Fund Committee made up of the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning, Prof. Mrs. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Ms. Ngozika B. Okoye, Hon. Commissioner for Finance and Mrs. Azuka Enemo, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government, the flood victims in Awba-Ofemili are yet to see the light in having such a committee in the state, especially in Awba-Ofemili, where every relief material have been stored away in Ugbenu due to bad road.
Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, who confirmed these in a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet, adding that two bank accounts, namely at Diamond Bank - 0028548840 and Fidelity Bank – 4020912984; were opened for this purposes and to facilitate the work of the state government in alleviating the effects of current flood rage across the state.
The Anambra State Government (ANSG), thus, invited Anambrarians and the Nigerians at home and in diaspora as well as all well-meaning citizens of the world to rally support for the affected citizens of Anambra State, as one of the most affected states by the flood.
The bigger challenge, he said, would be in the medium and longer terms, when the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would need to be returned to their respective homes, rehabilitated and resettled after the flood receded completely.
Canvassing for vote:
The ANSG, he said, would be counting on the Federal Government, its agencies, especially NEMA and international partners, to join hands with the state in overcoming the unprecedented humanitarian challenge.
 “We thank all those who have expressed concern in cash or in kind or sent goodwill messages about this catastrophic disaster,” he said.
ANSG acknowledged that well-meaning citizens and organizations have also been making donations in kind, through SEMA.
All in-kind donations, Obaze pointed out should be directed to the SEMA office along the Enugu-Onitsha Road (by J-Jumac Hotel), Awka, even as SEMA could be reached by phone 08037424242.
NaijaAgroNet confirmed that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Obaze visited the Awba-Ofemili Amensea axis of Awka-North LGA, but could not get to Awba-Ofemili due to submerged road.
However, it has been argued that if it had to do with votes, the Governor Peter Obi-led government of Anambra State, would not have sent the SSG and even the SSG should have found a way of getting to the town, Awba-Ofemili, to canvass for votes, which they got in good numbers at the last election.

Just before the curtain:
Does it then not make sense that an alternative route should have been used in ensuring that those victims, especially in a town like Awba-Ofemili, should have been reached through airlifting of such people and materials.
This is a poser for the leadership of Anambra State under Mr. Peter Obi to answer. By the way, how much will it take the government to get these aid materials airlifted?
Another school of thought argued that its only the military that has the helicopter for such kind of services. If so, is this flood disaster not enough to attract military sympathy? Or are we waiting for deaths to be recorded?
It is true that aids have been sent to Awba-Ofemili by the state governments, Senator Nwabueze Ngige, Hon. Emeka Nwogbo and his state house of assembly counterpart as well as the LGA chairperson, the fact is that these aids materials have not reached the destination, the people of Awba-Ofemili, because there is no road and airlifting of these materials probably was an option for the donors and state government particular, in spite of efforts to get them notified on the efficacy of delivering the materials appropriately.
There is need to have an operational health centre in place to cater for the residents of Awba-Ofemili. We must not wait until there is one outbreak or another.
Also, it is certain that some of the items may even have gotten bad due to poor storage. What this tells us, sadly is that if it had been a more serious thing than what was seen, no live, actually would have been saved from Awba-Ofemili?




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Sunday, October 7, 2012

Anambra sets up flood disaster emergency fund, aid yet to get to Awba-Ofemili


The Anambra State government has set up a three-man flood disaster emergency fund made up of the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning, Prof. Mrs. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Ms. Ngozika B. Okoye, Hon. Commissioner for Finance and Mrs. Azuka Enemo, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government.

This is coming as the Awba-Ofemili is yet to receive practical aid from the government.
Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, disclosed these in a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet at the weekend.

Mr. Obaze also disclosed that two bank accounts, namely at Diamond Bank - 0028548840 and Fidelity Bank – 4020912984; were opened for this purposes and to facilitate the work of the state government in alleviating the effects of current flood rage across the state.

The Anambra State Government (ANSG) invited Anambrarians and the Nigerians at home and in  Diaspora as well as all well-meaning citizens of the world to rally support for the affected citizens of Anambra State.

The bigger challenge, he said, would be in the medium and longer terms, when the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would need to be returned to their respective homes, rehabilitated and resettled after the flood recedes.

The ANSG, he said, would be counting on the Federal Government, its agencies, especially National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its international partners, to join with it in overcoming the unprecedented humanitarian challenge.

“We thank all those who have expressed concern in cash or in kind or sent goodwill messages about this catastrophic disaster,” he said.

ANSG acknowledged that well-meaning citizens and organizations have also been making donations in kind, through State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

All in-kind donations, Obaze pointed out should be directed to the SEMA office along the Enugu-Onitsha Road (by J-Jumac Hotel), Awka, even as SEMA could be reached by phone 08037424242. 

NaijaAgroNet confirms that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Obaze visited the Awba-Ofemili Amensea axis of Awka-North LGA, but could not get to Awba-Ofemili due to submerged road.

NaijaAgroNet:
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Awba-Ofemili town sacked by River Niger flood

Gov. Peter Obi, please do something!
The Awba-Ofemili town in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State has been cut-off by the surge of River Niger, culminating in the loss of properties and agricultural products worth billions of Naira.

Awba-Ofemili is mainly an agrarian community located less than 25 minutes drive from the capital city of Awka, Anambra State and is reputed for massive rice production.

The Awba-Ofemili town in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State has been cut-off by the surge of River Niger, culminating in the loss of properties and agricultural products worth billions of Naira.

Confirming this, chairman, Lagos branch of Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), Mr. Kenneth Okoye in a chat with newsmen lamented the situation, saying that Awba-Ofemili as an agrarian community known for rice production has lost a lot of economic products worth billions of Naira, including cassava, yam and plantain farms.

He described as unbelievable that the flood has continue to wax stronger in the face of seemingly nothing being done by the government, he enjoined well spirited individuals to come to the aid of the towns affected by this River Niger surge, especially Awba-Ofemili.

As at the time of filing this report, the Awba-Ofemili town has been seriously divided with this surge that farmers no longer attend to their farms, while all the eight villages that made up the town have been drastically affected.

Our reporter who visited the community and spoke to some of the indigenes discovered that one of the villages in Awba-Ofemili, Umuosite, has since last week been cut off with most residents relocating to a building along Umuosite Road for refuge, while those living along the Umuosite road have been sacked by the flood as they now use canoe to pass between Umuosite and other villages like Oyeagu and Akpana.

One of the residents and women leader in Awba-Ofemili, Madam Christiana Nweke said that the level of flood has reached a lintel of one of the storey buildings along Umuosite Road and made the road, especially leading to farm lands around that area unaccessible by the day.

She also called on the government, especially Gov. Peter Obi to quickly come to their aid, while praying that the River Niger surge subsidizes soon.

It was further gathered that the only major road leading to Awba-Ofemili, which has been begging for attention over the years, has been cut off too as indigenes trying to access Awka the capital city of Anambra State has to be ferried twice before they could even get to neighbouring towns like Ugbene, Ugbenu.

At the Agu-enu part of the town, especially behind the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the flood has not stopped.

Hon. Mrs. Joy Enweluzor, chairperson, Awka-North, it was gathered visited the Awba-Ofemili town, Tuesday on canoe with her team of executive and promised to send food stuff and other aids to the town.

Our sources said that several letters on the flood of Awba-Ofemili and environ have been communicated to the government of Anambra State.

They called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to remember the Awba-Ofemili town in distribution of aids for the flood victims.
 

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