The traditional rulers, while addressing Journalists, on Wednesday, at the end of an emergency Meeting of the Council held at the JAAC Building, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, expressed deep concern over the “war of words” between Governor Alex Otti and the Deputy Speaker.

The Royal Fathers, in a statement signed by the Council’s Chairman, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, and its three Deputy Chairmen on behalf of other members, said they would not remain silent while the disagreement between the two leaders continued to escalate, warning that such public altercations could have adverse effects on the peace and progress of the state.

They dismissed the Deputy Speaker’s claims that Governor Otti has underperformed despite receiving substantial funds, describing the statements as unsubstantiated.

“It is on this premise that we, as custodians of our culture, call for a ceasefire on the ongoing acrimony and unnecessary outbursts.

“We also enjoin Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu to restrain from making public statements that he cannot substantiate”, the Council stated.

The Monarchs further appealed to Kalu to “apply caution and restrain from making statements that may pitch Governor Otti against President Bola Tinibu and the people of the State”.

Reaffirming their support for the Governor, the traditional rulers passed a vote of confidence on Governor Otti and urged him to continue his good works for the state.

They further commended Governor Otti’s leadership and developmental strides across the state, describing him as the most performance-driven Governor Abia has had in recent history.

“It is on record that no Governor in Abia State has demonstrated the political will to fix Abia State than Governor Alex Otti, OFR, Chioma Ndi Abia”, the statement read.

The royal fathers also warned politicians against using their ambitions to incite unrest or destabilise the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Politicians are hereby warned sternly to desist from inciting Abians against our most performing Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR.

“Politicians should equally wait till 2027 to talk about their electoral cum political businesses and should not use their ambitions to put Abia State into political turmoil”, the statement added.

By Amarachi Uzoukwu

The post Abia Monarchs Caution Ben Kalu Against Inciting Statements on Gov Otti first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Speaking during the flag-off of the training for Abia State, held recently at the State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) premises, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said that the training is aimed at educating the Women and Youths on the effect of climate changes on the farm products and measures to control it.

Rt. Hon. Kalu, who recalled that sometimes farmers cultivate Cassava and it will not yield very well or come out being rotten, attributed some of these issues to the effect of Cassava viral disease.

Represented by Mr Oladimeji Ife, Rt. Hon. Kalu noted that the training would help the trainees to know how to identify diseases in Cassava with the use of their smart phones using an app that when installed on a phone, by mere snapping the leaves, stem and the root will analyse every disease affecting the crop and it will help the farmer know the suitable chemical for its eradication.

Mr Ife, who urged the trainees that came from different Locations of the State to embrace the training and make good use of the opportunity, reminded them that they are representing other millions of Abia farmers as they will extend the knowledge to people at the grassroots.

Earlier in his remark, the ADP Programme Manager, Mr Nleanya Okoro, who described cassava as a vital crop for many communities, stated that cassava virus disease has poses a significant threat to cassava production, affecting not only yield but the quality of the crop.

Mr Okoro, reminded the farmers that the training program remains a crucial step towards empowering the women and Youths with the knowledge and skills necessary to control and manage cassava viral disease, improve their livelihoods and contribute to food security using climate smart agriculture.

The Programme Manager, who expressed his profound gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, for strengthening Abia ADP and for given them enabling environment to fulfill their mandates, also appreciated the sponsors who made the training possible.

The Trainers, to include Mr Ebi Effia, Mr Amen Simon and Mrs Nkemjika Nzeka, in their respective speech, discussed on the necessary steps needed in cassava crop cultivation, the best varieties to cultivate to ensure good yield, the suitable climate and soil for cassava cultivation, among others.

While they noted with dissatisfaction the scarcity of cassava products in the country, attributing it to the effect of cassava disease and the measures to control and manage it, they engaged them on technical training on how to download an app for cassava disease detection and how to use it.

The training, which also included field practice on how to use an app to detect cassava diseases, concluded with issuing certificate to the Trainees.

By Tasie Ebere

The post Cassava Virus Mgt: Deputy Speaker Kalu, NCAM, Organize Workshop For Abia Farmers first appeared on National Ambassador News.

This, he said would promote the economic development and enhance the quality of life in South-East Nigeria through the reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.

Fielding questions from our reporter today, the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Abia State, who decried the negative effects of the civil war over five decades ago, maintained that the bill comes as a beacon of hope for Southeast zone.

In his words: “This historic milestone would bring significant development to the South-East geopolitical zone, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi states.”

The legal luminary thanked President Tinubu for assenting the bill, expressing hope that the bill would usher a new era of development for the region.

Nwamuo further commended the Deputy Speaker for the proposed Bola Ahmed Tinubu University Aba, insisting that it would create massive jobs for the teeming unemployed Abians and also boost the socio-economic development of the Abia commercial capital.

He also lamented the lack of federal government presence in Ukwa-East, urging the Deputy Speaker to consider the oil-rich Ukwa region for some projects to boost socio-economic development of the area.

The environmental lawyer who thanked the sixth citizen of the country for the Peace In The South-East Project (PISE-P), remarked that his leadership prowess and capacity have wooed prominent people in Abia, southeast and beyond to All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Ndoki-born technocrat urged politicians to emulate the visionary style of Rt. Hon. Kalu, stating that he is more determined to attract democracy dividends to his immediate constituency, Abia State and the entire southeast region among others.

The post Fmr Abia Commissioner, Nwamuo Lauds Deputy Speaker, Kalu first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The investment banker who disclosed this with newsmen at his hometown, Ogwe, Ukwa-West Local Government Area (LGA), Abia state recently, maintained that President would not disappoint Nigerians owing to his antecedents especially in Lagos State.

He added that so many reforms are taking place in the country with alot of international collaborations that would put Nigeria on the limelight.

He urged Nigerians to be patient with the Renewed Hope Agenda reforms of President Tinubu, stating that the masses would benefit greatly at the end of the day.

The community leader further noted that Tinubu developed the blueprint that helped Lagos state to emerge the fifth largest economy in Africa, maintaining that the Mr. President would fix the country back to fruition.

The Abia-born technocrat also commended the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu for his Peace In South East – Project (PISE-P) initiative, adding that it would solve the complex security challenges of the Southeastern region of the country.

He explained that no meaningful development can take place without peace, urging stakeholders within the region to support the PISE – P initiative.

Dr. Kasarachi who further decried the agitation by different groups in the southeast region, called on youths and other critical stakeholders to support President Tinubu’s administration and sheath their swords.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain also lauded National Assembly lawmakers for the accelerated attention given to the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) bill, explaining that it would help the region rebuild the damaging effects occasion by the civil war of over 50 years ago.

Kasarachi also commended the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, insisting that he has performed creditably within the past seven months of his administration.

He said that Abians have been in the wilderness in the past 24 years before the emergence of Gov Otti, urging Abians to support Otti-led administration.

The Ukwa-born technocrat who also maintained that the Abia Governor would rebuild and reposition the state for enviable development, called on Abians that have litigations against Gov. Otti in court to withdraw it to allow him to focus and deliver dividend of democracy to Abians.

The philanthropist who wooed investors to invest in Abia, also revealed that his university scholarship has been expanded to accommodate more indigent young people across the three Senatorial Districts of Abia state and beyond.

The post 2023 YPP VP Candidate, Dr Kasarachi, Applauds Pres Tinubu, D. Speaker HOR Rt. Hon Ben Kalu, Gov Otti first appeared on National Ambassador News.