The Njoku Chita Family of Umuchima has said the press statement issued by the elder brother to the works minister Engr Dave Umahi , Eze Laz Umahi Nweze was face-saving , irresponsible , distractive and not in sync with the allegations and petitions of land grabbing and threat to lives against the minister .

The family in a statement said it is not against the expansion of the Dave Umahi University of Health Sciences and called on the Minister of works Engr Dave Umahi , his elder brother Laz Umahi and the former Health Commissioner in Ebonyi state, Dr Umezurike Akuma to address the issues and stop playing to the gallery .

In a statement entitled : RE: Community Backs Expansion of David Umahi University, Clears Minister of Land Grabbing Allegations”, the Njoku family said the publication was an orchestrated plan to change the narrative and create misinformation , adding that the works minister has a responsibility to defend himself and clear the air on the various allegations contained in their petition before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Director of Department of State Services , the Inspector General of Police as well as the National Security Adviser .

The statement said : “The attention of Njoku Chita family have been drawn to the face-saving press release organized by the elder brother Minister David Umahi – Eze Laz Umahi Nweze, claiming that the community was responsible for securing lands in favour of the University.

“As a case in point, we are not against the University expanding its lands, but wonder what interest any group of individuals operating under the guise of community leaders will have in using their personal money to pay for land and give to a federal university.”

The family also accused the works minister of forcefully acquiring the land on which the university was first built , “Even at the onset when the University was conceived and built, the land upon which it was built was forcefully taken by then Governor Umahi.

“Another question to ask the elder brother of Minister Umahi and his former Commissioner for health – Umezurike, including his benefactor Nicholas Odii, is when did the Njoku Chita family ever claimed that their complaint against Umahi was for or on behalf of Umuchima village or Uburu Community? The complaint through our lawyer is personal to us, as the land Umahi is grabbing belongs to us, not Umuchima or Uburu. Anyone can plant their family members and loyalist in places of traditional influence for a time like this and it is obvious that they are all working hard to shield the Minister from his own actions that led to our petition.”

“In any case, we have him on audio where he threatened our family of consequence for not allowing him into our land. We can share this audio with the world.

“Apparently, the Police are incapable of securing our lives as our petition has been abandoned because Umahi is a big man, but we will not give up an inch of our land, unless we are all killed as they apparently plan to do. We are aware of the threat issued by Dr. Umezurike during a meeting they called on Monday and his subsequent trespass into our home that night in an apparent show of force.

“It is a shame that those who claim to be community leaders are all out in defense of a big man who placed them there to do his bidding. Shouldn’t a community leadership aim to embark on customary arbitration to resolve the impasse and ensure that no one losses their ancestral land to an insatiable individual? No, this ones are out to defend the offender.”

It continued ,” If the Umuchima village or Uburu as a Community, under this leadership appointed by Umahi has any land to give to the University, they are free to do so. Instead of deceiving people into giving up their lands and giving them stipends through a privately owned company named Black Legend Technologies Ltd. Why should a community buy land in the name of a private company?

“All the people cannot be stupid at the same time.

“Finally, none of us is a politician and we have no political interest whatsoever. Therefore, attempting to paint our legitimate concern as “politically motivated” is disingenuous as our land is not a political property.”

The family further accused Eze Laz Umahi, elder brother to the works minister , the former Health Commissioner Dr Umezurike Akuma and their Kinsmen of plots hatched at a meeting convened by the Eze to use thugs and take over their ancestral land .

They particularly accused Dr Umezurike of providing the strategies and volunteering to lead the mop operation on their ancestral land .

In his response over the alleged invasion , the former Health Commissioner during the Dave Umahi reign as Ebonyi state Governor denied leading thugs to the Njoku family land saying ,” I was there personally . What happened was we want to start clearing the areas that are not in contention and I was there to show them these areas and not to take their land”.

On his part , Engr Umahi’s elder brother , Eze Laz Umahi Nweze earlier turned down a request for his response as the convener of the meeting where strategies were allegedly mapped out against the Njoku family land but moments after he replied through WhatsApp : ” Good morning dear. I am HRH Eze Laz Umahi. I am from Uburu Ancient Kingdom in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.

“You called me on phone earlier this morning, making inquiry about a meeting Ndi-Uburu held in its Multipurpose Hall few days ago. I have drawn the attention of my Attorney to the interaction I had with you and he asked me to go ahead and help you with whatever information you need regarding the referenced meeting.

“Let’s do it either of these two ways to avoid misrepresentation: Send a questionnaire to me on the information you need.
“Alternatively, if you’d prefer I provide a written statement, that too can works.

“Please let me know how you’d like us to proceed.

Best Regards.”

Barely hours after the Eze addressed a press conference which read in parts: “The people of Uburu community, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have supported the acquisition of more lands for the expansion of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Science(DUFUHS).

“In a communique signed by leaders of the host community, HRH Lazarus Umahi, Chief Shedrack Onu and Chief Odi Nicholas Enyi, the community said the expansion of the university was a collective agreement of the host community which was endorsed by the Uburu traditional rulers council.”

Threatens to seal non-compliance schools 

By Wumi Tewogbadl, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, said out of 2.6 million that is the target, 1.6 million have been immunized, leaving a deficit of 1.2million children unimmunized.

The FCTA also blamed the situation on some major private schools’ refusal to allow access of immunization officers to their children.

Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary for Health and Environment, stated this while briefing the media in Abuja.

Fasawe, lamented that those that are not compliying are denying such children their fundamental  rights and this is unacceptable.

She said the FCT Health Insurance Scheme [FHIS] supported 600 vaccination teams in the six Area councils with reflective jackets.

She said  “However, while we celebrate this success, we must also confront the challenges that threaten the full realization of our campaign goals. It has come to our attention that several schools and institutions within the FCT refused access to vaccination teams. 

“This non-compliance not only denied eligible children protection against measles and rubella but also disrupted the daily implementation plans of the campaign. Such actions are deeply concerning because they undermine public health gains and put our children at unnecessary risk.

“The Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003, as domesticated in the FCT, guarantees every child the right to health and protection from preventable diseases. Specifically, Sections 13 and 14 of the Act place a legal obligation on parents, guardians, and institutions — including schools — to ensure that every child is fully immunized.

 “Denying a child access to vaccination is, therefore, not merely an administrative lapse; it is a violation of a fundamental child right”.

She also said for those schools who refused compliance, might be sanction and their schools can be sealed.

“Failure to comply with these directives will attract administrative sanctions under existing FCT Education and Public Health Regulations”, she noted.

She revealed that her secretariat have already started compliying the names of schools in Abuja, that refused to comply.

“In response to the current situation, the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat has taken the following actions:

Compiled a comprehensive list of non-compliant schools and institutions;

Initiated targeted advocacy and community sensitization activities;

Issued letters to affected schools reminding them of their legal responsibilities under the CRA; and

Finalized plans for a three-day mop-up exercise involving 132 vaccination teams to reach unvaccinated children across affected areas”, she noted.

In order  to strengthen enforcement and ensure sustainability, she said,  the  Administration has approved the following directives for all public and private schools:

Mandatory immunization verification during admission, re-admission, or transfer;

Maintenance of a Child Health Register in every school;

Collaboration with nearby Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) for on-site immunization sessions;

Regular inclusion of immunization awareness in school assemblies and PTA meetings; and

Submission of monthly compliance reports through the Education Secretariat to HSES.

She commended  the governing body of Stella Maris School, Abuja, for their full support of the ongoing immunization drive and their eagerness to welcome the vaccination team and being an example of compliance.

She therefore appealed  to all parents to ensure their children are allowed to be vaccinated in line with the Child Health Act at school. Immunization is safe, effective, and essential for protecting every child.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has felicitated the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, as he marks 62nd birthday.

The Speaker described Engr. Komolafe as “a reformer” in the petroleum sector, whose life is an inspiration to many public officers.

Speaker Abbas, in a congratulatory message issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Leke Olatunji Baiyewu, on Friday, hailed Engr. Komolafe for being a diligent and patriotic public servant. 

The Speaker also commended Engr. Komolafe for the reforms inspired by his leadership of the NUPRC. He said the celebrant has brought his wealth experience to bear in his current national assignment.

The Speaker noted that as the pioneer CEO of the NUPRC, Engr. Komolafe has recorded various successes in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and reforms that have aided efficiency and productivity in the oil and gas sector.

Speaker Abbas urged Engr. Komolafe to continue for push for more reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The Speaker expressed the commitment of the 10th House to providing legislative support to innovations and capacity building in the sector.

Speaker Abbas wished Engr. Komolafe more years on earth, in continued service to his fatherland, Nigeria.

Abbas felicitates NUPRC chief, Gbenga Komolafe, on 62nd birthday

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has felicitated the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, as he marks 62nd birthday.

The Speaker described Engr. Komolafe as “a reformer” in the petroleum sector, whose life is an inspiration to many public officers.

Speaker Abbas, in a congratulatory message issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Leke Olatunji Baiyewu, on Friday, hailed Engr. Komolafe for being a diligent and patriotic public servant. 

The Speaker also commended Engr. Komolafe for the reforms inspired by his leadership of the NUPRC. He said the celebrant has brought his wealth experience to bear in his current national assignment.

The Speaker noted that as the pioneer CEO of the NUPRC, Engr. Komolafe has recorded various successes in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and reforms that have aided efficiency and productivity in the oil and gas sector.

Speaker Abbas urged Engr. Komolafe to continue for push for more reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The Speaker expressed the commitment of the 10th House to providing legislative support to innovations and capacity building in the sector.

Speaker Abbas wished Engr. Komolafe more years on earth, in continued service to his fatherland, Nigeria.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has felicitated the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, as he marks 62nd birthday.

The Speaker described Engr. Komolafe as “a reformer” in the petroleum sector, whose life is an inspiration to many public officers.

Speaker Abbas, in a congratulatory message issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Leke Olatunji Baiyewu, on Friday, hailed Engr. Komolafe for being a diligent and patriotic public servant. 

The Speaker also commended Engr. Komolafe for the reforms inspired by his leadership of the NUPRC. He said the celebrant has brought his wealth experience to bear in his current national assignment.

The Speaker noted that as the pioneer CEO of the NUPRC, Engr. Komolafe has recorded various successes in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and reforms that have aided efficiency and productivity in the oil and gas sector.

Speaker Abbas urged Engr. Komolafe to continue for push for more reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The Speaker expressed the commitment of the 10th House to providing legislative support to innovations and capacity building in the sector.

Speaker Abbas wished Engr. Komolafe more years on earth, in continued service to his fatherland, Nigeria.