a8df8ff2b14062db95f54dacf20b7e3f
Connect with us

News

ICDA Honours Okpanachi, 23 Others With Awards

Published

on

ICDA | Igala Cultural Development Association
Spread the love

The Founder of Waves of Success Foundation, a non Governmental Organization, Yusuf Ocholi Okpanachi was among the 24 prominent Igala sons and daughters who were conferred with Distinguished Merit Awards by the Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA) for their outstanding contributions towards the upliftment of the Igala Kingdom.

ALSO READ  Kogi Works Commissioner Lauds Gov Bello For Kicks starting 30 Roads Construction

The ceremony which took place at the “Igala Unity House, Anyigba” over the weekend, was organized by the association to give honour to whom it is due.

The president of the association, Alhaji Amodu Abubakar Sadiq in his welcome address, said that Yusuf Okpanachi, a notable Philanthropist in Igala Zone was fished out for the Award as a result of his support in providing rural communities across the Igala Kingdom with roads, potable water, electricity, health facilities and empowerment of women and youth. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Sadiq described Yusuf Okpanachi as a worthy son of the Igala Kingdom who had made his impact in touching positively on the lives of the downtrodden.

The ICDA president also disclosed that the “Igala Merit Award 2020” was spread into those who contributed immensely to the development of their immediate communities, those who facilitated employment for Igala indigenes in the labour market as well as those who have excelled in both Media, Legal, and other professions.

He said that ICDA also gave Post Humours Awards to three deceased prominent Igalas who made their mark towards the advancement of their father land during their life time.

The Kogi state Deputy Governor while speaking at the event, described ICDA as the only platform that could be effectively used to achieve the needed peace, unity and harmonious relationship in Igala Land.

“The greater of Igala Kingdom should be our major priority. We should be concerned in assisting in the provision of infrastructural development for our people as governments worldwide cannot do it alone

” God should prosper those wishing Igala people well and grant those after the destruction of the land the grace to change and if don’t change should put them to shame” the Deputy Governor prayed.

He described the leadership of ICDA as people of high integrity who had championed the drive to bring development to Igala land rather than fighting for their personal interest.

“Let us come down home and join hands with ICDA in developing our immediate communities. ICDA as an umbrella body belongs to the entire people of Igala land” Edward Onoja advised.

The Founder Waves of Success Foundation, Yusuf Ocholi Okpanachi in his remark, thanked ICDA for its recognition with assurance that the gesture will spur him to do more for his people.

Responding on behalf of other recipients, the member representing Ankpa1 Constituency at the Kogi state House of Assembly, Hon Abdullahi Halims also commended ICDA for its initiative to honour deserving Igala sons and daughters urging the association to sustain its spirit of encouragement that will spur meaningful citizens to come to the aid of the less privileged in the society.

He particularly praised the Kogi state deputy governor, Edward Onoja for facilitating the building of Igala Unity House at Anyigba where to showcase the activities and the culture of the Igala people.

The event attracted personalities within and outside the Igala zone.

News

Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms

Published

on

By

Spread the love

The duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta has been senenced to various jail terms for bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

A judge at The Central Criminal Court, [ Old Bailey], announced the sentence friday.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.

The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking, The Ekweremadus’sick daughter, Sonia was cleared of any wrongdoing.

1rem;">The three were found guilty after arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian man’s travel into the United Kingdom in a bid to obtain his kidney on behalf of Sonia.
ALSO READ  Kogi Flooding: GYB Remobilize Ceezali Back On Construction Site

The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ALSO READ  Kogi Deputy Speaker, advocates For Youth Participation In Leadership, Decision Taking

Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Erewa Dabiri, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

The charges were preferred on the Ekweremadus on June 23, 2022, when their arrest was announced. Obeta was later arraigned on July 13, 2022. While his wife was granted bail, the senator was refused.

After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023 and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.

Continue Reading

News

Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu

Published

on

Tension in Debt Management Office as DG allegedly schemes for third
Spread the love

The House of Representatives  has write to the government of the United Kingdom seeking mercy in sentencing the embattled Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

This is contained in a resolution reached following a motion moved by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.

A UK court found the duo guilty of conspiracy of organ harvesting of another Nigerian. The Ekweremadu couple will be sentenced in the coming days.

Moving the motion, Okechukwu said diplomatic intervention in this kind of case is normal.

ALSO READ  Miss Igala 2020, Queen Favour Makolo Set To Establish Sanitary Pad Bank In Kogi

“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus,” he said.

Speaking on the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, said intervention by the House is not a justification for the charges against the Ekweremadus. He urged the UK government to consider Ekweremadu’s years of public service.

Consequently, the House resolved to urge the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ekweremadu, his wife and the doctor.

ALSO READ  See Why begging cannot stop in North

Also, they urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
Continue Reading

News

HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect

Published

on

Spread the love

By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC), on Tuesday, donated 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women rappers to ten Local Government Areas in Kogi State under the agency to cushion the effect associated with the new cashless policy.

Making the presentation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Lugard House, Lokoja on Tuesday, a Board Member of HYPPDEC, Alhaji Isah Ozi Salami, said that the gesture is part of the agency’s intervention in times of natural disaster or any hardship situation on citizens.

ALSO READ  Kogi Deputy Speaker, advocates For Youth Participation In Leadership, Decision Taking

Salami expressed the commitment of HYPPDEC in tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians as a result of the Cashless Policy.

“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi

“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi” Ozi Salami told Governor Bello.

He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the provision of logistic supports that have facilitated smooth operation of the agency in Kogi.

He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC will soon begin the construction of 50 housing units in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.

ALSO READ  Xmas: Ajia Felicitates with Christians, Solicits For Prayers Over National Challenges

“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. The Governor is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project” Ozi Salami disclosed.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku who received the food stuff on behalf of his boss, hinted that Kogi will key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property for citizens.

Governor Yahaya Bello appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programme as a result of the bad terrain of the area.

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Copyright © 2021 Informavores Nigeria Communication Enterprises | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc