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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 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.
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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
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.

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.
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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
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology
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
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology
Pix: Igwe Ofemili 1 of Awba-Ofemili, HRH Ezekwesili Maduagwuna
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Awba-Ofemili: Christians vs Pagans, 20 critically injured
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.
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.
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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

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 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.

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

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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