Media vanguard

13/07/2024

https://mediavanguardnews.blogspot.com/2024/07/ebonyi-assembly-passes-ebonyi-state.html

mediavanguardNews

18/04/2024

STINGS OF DEATH AND QUINTENSSIAL PERSONALITY, LATE,MR GODWIN IVOM

Death is inevitable and a natural phenomenon that diminishes mankind.
No matter the status, power, riches,one is bound to die at God's appointed time.This means that death is a necessary end that will come when it will come,according Shakespeare.
But,what is most important in all,is the legacy or good name one leaves behind. And that is what counts for every mortal.
Late Mr Godwin Ivom got his call to leave this sinful world on 27th January,2024,and he surrendered by saying good bye to all.
For sure,it is not how long one lives,but how well.The scripture made it succinctly clear that,there is hope,because there is life after death. Many people have hearken to this divine instruction to amend their ways,preparing for the D day,while some are still dangling with the things of the world.
Mr Godwin Ivom from Akunakuna Amegu,in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state was a true believer before he transited to the eternal glory to meet his maker.
He died after a protracted illness that took him unexpected.
Until his death, Mr Godwin Ivom lived impactful life. He was a teacher,community leader, peace maker,man of impacable character,great philantropist,jovial,and kind.But,we cannot question God,because,God is the author of life who gives and takes any time of his will.
But, if the saying that water has no enemy is anything to go by,it is very apt to say that,this great man,Mr Ivom has no enemy. That is simply the best way to descibe this great legend of our time.
Born into the family of late chief Ogah Iburu Alegu(father)and late Mrs Ogah Elizabeth Nwancho(mother) of Agubata Ikwo,in Ikwo local government area, on 2nd October,1960,Mr Godwin Alegu,served as secretary of his Agubata Development union,and later chairman,where he recorded monumental achievement of constructing a gigantic town hall for the community.
He was educated and taught in many schools before he broke down due to sickness which later caused his demise.
Late Mr Godwin Ivom,despite his short sojourn on earth,lived a fulfilled life. He touched many lives that came across him.
As a teacher of great repute,he helped in the development of education in Ikwo local government area.Those that grew under his tutlage are now university graduates and masters degree holders.
Being educationist who knew the value of education,he did not hasitate to train some his own children up to university levels,including,Mrs Nkechinyere precious Ivom,a happily married business mogul who is currently at the finishing touches of her master's degree programme.
He taught his children discipline and respect. Mr Godwin Ivom rest in peace.
As you are being laid to rest in your country home,Akunakuna Amegu Ikwo,19th April,2024,It is very hard to fill the vacuum created by your demise,but,we take solace on the indelible legacies left behind.
The people of Akunakuna,Amegu Ikwo miss you greatly.
The people of Ikwo Noyo miss you greatly.
Ebonyi state and Nigeria at large also miss you.
Rest in peace and may the Almighty God grant your soul eternal rest.
Adieu,Adieu,Adieu!!!

16/04/2024

ADDRESS PRESENTED BY CARETAKER CHAIRMAN,EKA-AWOKE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION,ECDA,CHIEF EWA NWORIE

My good people of Eka-Awoke autonomous community,I bring greetings to you all.
Let me sieze this opportunity to first and foremost thank God Almighty for his love and grace upon us as a people.
Eka-Awoke is our community and there is no way we could run away or wage war against ourselves,allowing mundane things and sentiments to divide or rule us.
Yes,I was appointed caretaker chairman to temporary oversea the affairs of the community,following the suspension of the National President of Eka-Awoke Development Association,Dr Collins Irem,by the executive chairman of Ikwo local government area,Barr.Sunday Nwankwo which he cited security concerns.
You all know me as somebody that is cool headed,calculative and lover of peace,perhaps,that could be the reason I was appointed. I did not campaign to be appointed,for your information,but,since government I serves assigned a responsibility to me,especially,to be a peace maker in my community,I think as a child of God,it is incumbent on me to do so.
Dr Collins Irem is our brother elected as the National President of Eka-Awoke Development Association precisely on 9th December last year,no doubt about that,but,when the chief security officer of our local government,Barr Sunday Nwankwo who receives security reports more than any of us made the pronouncement,no reaonabke person could justifiably contest that with him because,he is the chief security officer of Ikwo local government area as I earlier mentioned.
But,I got disappointed by the level of lashing,insult and scribal attacks launched against the Executive chairman,Ikwo local government area,Barr.Sunday Nwankwo who acted within the ambit of the law to dissolve or suspend any town union executives,especially having cited security concerns.
For me,it was very wrong,the approach adopted against a constituted authority,the executive chairman of Ikwo local government area who acted in the best interest of the community to avert looming crisis over issues,like,mining activities and selection of traditional ruler among others. it is very clear that without peace,no society will develope.
However,as the caretaker chairman appointed by government to make peace and report back,according to the charge given to us during inauguration, I want to urge those aggrieved to toe the part of peace instead of engaging in acts,capable of breaking law and order. One thing we should note is that,the use of unprintable words or hate speeches against anybody or constituted authority,also amount to serious security threats. We should not allow anybody or sentiments to becloud our sense of reasoning.
Eka- Awoke community as an ancestral home of Ikwo,have never had any crisis,and posterity will not forgive us if we allow that in our life time,because of one interest or the other.
The interest of anybody should not jeopardize the peaceful nature of the our dear community,Eka-Awoke.
So,many unprintable things have been said and written against each other in the name of interests or political affiliations,let that stop henceforth,to give way for peace and traquility in Eka-Awoke community.
The issue of mining or selection of traditional ruler should not bring disunity among us. The exploration of mineral deposit in any part of the community will under my watch, follow due process in line with the mining Act of 2007,and every body must be carried along in all aspect of the process.
The issue of selecting our traditional ruler as zoned to the oldest village in Eka-Awoke(Ezeke), will be conducted in the most transparent manner without any rancour or bitternes.
Note that I am appointed on temporary bases which means after my brief stay,the position of National President of Eka-Awoke Development Association(ECDA),will be reverted to Ndufu Umota.
Therefore,I urge every body to sieze fire,and avoid any thing that could incite crisis or break-down of law and order.The people of Eka-Awoke are not naturally violent and we should resist every temtation that will lure us into crisis.
Once more,I urge you all to support the caretaker committee,set up by government to address some nagging issues,capable of derobbing our peaceful nature.
No man is a repository of knowledge,therefore,I need your suggestions,supports,and wisdom to carry out this onorious task.
What is most important at this point in time is giving peace a chance even at the heat of anger,and we shall all get it right at last.
Thanks and God bless.

Long live Eka-Awoke!
Long live Ikwo local govt.!!
Long live Ebonyi state!!

Chief Ewa Nworie
Caretaker committee chairman
Eka-Awoke community

02/02/2024

UNKNOWN GUNMEN ATTACK POLICE OFFICERS ON PATROL.

Unknown gunmen have attacked police patrol team along Ngbo/Effium road,Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state.
The acting police public relation officer,Joshua Ukandu(DSP) in a press release,issued to newsmen,said,the hoodlums who operated with Ash coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number,unknown,inflicted a fatal injury to one of the police operatives while one is currently receiving treatment at undisclosed hospital.
According the the Acting PPRO,
"On 01/02/2024 at about 11:00 am, "Operatives of the Command on patrol along Ngbo-Effium Road were attacked by armed hoodlums using an Ash coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number unknown.
"The operatives engaged the hoodlums,in the ensuing gun duel, one (1) of the operatives was fatally wounded while one (1) is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo psc immediately dispatched tactical teams of the command to the scene,who are on the trail of the hoodlums. "Meanwhile, calm and normalcy have been restored to the area.
"The CP is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals of the State to avail the Command with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums while assuring them of the command's unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the state".

02/02/2024

05/11/2023

This platform is a veritable tool of information disemination to members of the public..

Fresh Graduate Banker K!lled During Benue Armed Robbery In October Set For Burial In Abia

03/05/2023

https://mediavanguardnews.blogspot.com/2023/05/vote-or-no-vote-ill-treat-all-parts-of.html

mediavanguardNews

08/04/2023

The Man Famously Known For World Longest Nose

Thomas Wedders, an 18th-century English circus performer, was known for having the world's longest nose, measuring 7.5 inches.

According to the Guinness World Records, Wedders was a member of a travelling circus in the 1770s. A wax reproduction of his head is currently displayed at Ripley's Believe It or Not museum.

08/04/2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has observed that the fact that 10 serving State governors lost their senatorial bids shows the sophistication of the Nigerian voter when it comes to the choice of leaders.Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abu

22/02/2023

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of THEWILL Newspaper and Downtown Magazine, Prince Austyn Ogannah, has lost his aged mother, Ezinne Princess Roseline Obiajulu Oganah (née Uzomah). A statement issued on Tuesday by the management of THEWILL, said Princess Oganah transited peacefully at her Agbara residence...

17/01/2023

Meet Prof. Laz Ekwueme, The Music Icon And Traditional Ruler Of Oko

Prof. Lazarus Edward Nnanyelu Ekwueme popularly known as Laz Ekwueme is a musicologist, composer, scholar and actor.
He is the traditional ruler of Oko in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.

He is one of the pioneer lecturers of music in Nigeria and also a prolific writer. He is a scholar who has written numerous articles and books on music especially the role of music in the lives of Africans and Africans in diaspora and has earned a total of 10 diplomas in music and drama from universities in the UK.

1962, he obtained the professional teaching diploma, Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music.

While studying in the UK, he embraced the theatre and he was an actor in some African films produced by the African Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. He returned to Nigeria, where he took up a faculty position at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. As a lecturer of music composition, theory, history, singing and conducting, he was an important member in the pioneering Nigerian music department at Nsukka, which was the first to award music degrees in the country. He also gave considerable attention to choral music, organising the University of Nigeria Choral Society, a group of foreign and local students who performed regularly in Nsukka.

He has acted in more than 100 Nollywood movies which include for Lords of the Game, Igodo, Senator, Love Story, etc.

Some of his works are;

* Teasers: Poems, proverbs, and puns, 1993
* Choir training and choral conducting for Africans. 1993
* Essays on the Theory of African Music, 2004
* Missa Africana
* A Night in Bethlehem (1963)
* Piano Concerts in Re (1962)
* Rhapsody Nigeriana
* Hombe (Kenyan Folk Song) (1968)
* Beware (Negro Spiritual)
* Zidata Mo Nso nke Gi
* Nwa n’akwa akwa (1972)
* Elimeli (1979)
* Nne n’eku nwa
* Obi Dimkpa (1980)
* Ote nkwu

He is the younger brother to Nigeria's former Vice-president, Alex Ekueme.

Culled From Igbo History

15/12/2022

Police arrest 'Bongo' IPOB/ESN Commander, recover stolen vehicle, IED in Ebonyi

01/11/2022

2023 BUDGET: EBONYI STATE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZES CITIZENS' INPUT AND CONSULTATION MEETING.

The Ebonyi State Government has organized a Citizens' input and consultation to inject opinion of citizens into the 2023 Budget Estimate.

The Citizens' input and consultation meeting was held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Tuesday.

Speaking on the 2023 Budget Estimate tagged "Budget of Divine Mandate Consolidation and Continuity" estimated at one hundred and thirty nine billion naira, Governor Umahi said the priority areas would be health, education, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Human Capital development.

The Governor who clarified that the 2022 Budget of Later Rain has been implemented to 75% said he was satisfied that Government was fast executing the 199 kilometre Abakaliki Ring Road project.

He noted that the road project already executed to 93% would further open up the rural areas to the City.

Governor Umahi also restated his determination to lay Foundation for the establishment of the Universities of Aeronautical Engineering in Onueke and the ICT in Oferekpe before his administration winds down in 2023.

The Governor also emphasized that the welfare of Civil Servants would enjoy priority attention under the 2023 Budget.

"To the Civil Servants we have earmarked alot of money to pay off all inherited pensions and gratuities before the end of 2023.

"From January 1, we are proposing to pay between one hundred thousand to five hundred thousand Ebonyians ten thousand monthly for five months and they shall be called Laison Officers."

To ensure relative peace and security during the yuletide and electioneering, Governor Umahi announced plans to ban activities of motorcyclists beyond 7pm in Abakaliki Capital City and environs.


Governor Umahi directed the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke to come up with an Executive order to give effect to the ban going into festivities.

"HAG will come up with Executive order banning the operation of motorcycle from 7pm to 6am in Ebonyi State. If you want to use motorcycle use it in the day time before 7pm.

"They say security is everyone's business, so you have to make sacrifices. For those kicking against Ebubeagu, you are just wasting your time, Ebubeagu has come to stay, those who are afraid of Ebubeagu are those who are formenting trouble in Ebonyi State."

Governor Umahi also appealled to Ebonyians to stay away from hate speeches and fake news to avoid overheating the polity going into the general elections.

"We will not tolerate hate speech in Ebonyi State and falsehood, freedom of speech does not amount to falsehood, it does not amount to fake news. Part of the insecurity in Nigeria is still because of fake news and hate speeches."

The Governor also announced ban on hosting of activities in public schools across the State noting that anyone wishing to do so would first obtain permission from the Commissioner for Education.

"From first of November, no rallies in Schools, for you to do the rally, you must get approval from the Commissioner for Education".

Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Orlando Nweze identified the Federal Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue and funds from Development partners as projected sources of income to finance the 2023 Budget.

The Commissioner also listed upgrading of the Primary Health Centres and Solar powered streetlights as some of the priority areas of Government under the 2023 Budget.

Participants at the Citizens input meeting including Disabled Groups, Women Organizations, National Youth Council, Civil Society Groups, nongovernmental and faith based organizations made contributions into the 2023 Budget Estimate set to be presented to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Chooks Oko
Special Assistant to the governor on media and strategy

26/10/2022

13/10/2022

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.

06/10/2022

BREAKING: Tinubu Returns From UK

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has returned to the country after weeks in the United Kingdom.

The whereabouts of Tinubu have been the question on the lips of some Nigerians in recent days.

In a tweet on Thursday, presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, said Tinubu had returned to Abuja.

He said, “Our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja from London.”

03/10/2022

01/10/2022

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has approved the promotion of 417 Senior Police Officers. Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Rel

29/09/2022

GARDEN BOY IMPREGNATES THREE BIOLOGICAL SISTERS.

According to reports, the Kenyan parents to the girls kept their daughters indoors and could not allow them to mingle with friends. The gardern boy was the only close friend they knew. Without their strict parents knowing, he started sleeping with them until he got all of them pregnant.

The Christian Parents were shocked that their daughters were pregnant despite being strict on them. But when they inquired who was responsible, their honest response caused the mother to faint. It was further revealed the garden boy started sleeping with the second born and after they were caught by the first born, she demanded that she be helped inorder for her not to report to the girls' tough and strict parents but in the process, the last born also saw what was happening and demanded to also sleep with the gardden boy if she has to keep secrete.

In the end all the three sisters got pregnant by the same man. The sisters have since given birth and parents have accepted the fate after intense counselling and blamed themselves for being too strict towards their daughters.

The garden boy instantly lost his job but the girls still send him money and love him and the father to their two daughters and son. This is how life treats people who are tough and strict towards girl children.

Train up a child in the way he should go, when he grows he will not depart from it.

May your children never bring shame to you in Jesus mighty name.

May you be wise enough to set godly boundaries that will help your children instead of destructing them in Jesus mighty name.

COPIED.

🙁🙁🙁

Source: Daily Report Nigeria

21/09/2022

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, says the Nigeria Police Force does not condone indiscipline and violation of citizens’ rights by police officers. Adejobi had in a tweet on Saturday, said, “Even if a policeman on uniform slaps a civilian, the civilian has no right to ret...

20/09/2022

BREAKING: Thunder Strike Killed Top Nigeria Army Commander In Ohafia Abia State, IPOD claims act is godly

See comment section for more details👇🏻👇🏻

20/09/2022

Need for opposition to appreciate Gov.Umahi's landmark achievements

Each time I set out as a journalist to write about the giant stride of governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state,especially on infrastrucructural development,some people I better describe as gatecrashers or bad bellied elements become unsettled,thinking that the write up was politically motivated.
As a result I incur barrage of abuses from Facebook rats,working with oppositions or detractors,,simply because I bring to public domain,the good works of governor Umahi led administration,born out of my genuine and sincere unbiased assessment of events in the state.
Let me put it on record that I belong to the class of journalists that write to build the nation,not to destroy it.
A trained journalist is one who deals with fact and not fiction,deals with truth and not fallacy,write objective and ballance reports,in line with the ethics of the profession,hence,the crucial and constitutional role assigned to the media as the watch dog of the society,and to hold leaders accountable.
In carrying out these onorous task,journalists write constructively and of course,criticise when necessary as part of their tasks to build the nation and give voice to the masses.
But,the journalistic principle of truth and objectivity must always come to play in the assigned responsibilities.
Journalists are not only interested in negetivity to make headlines,they are also interested on the positive aspect of events to make headlines. By so doing,what we call "developmental journalism" comes to play. That is writing to promote development.
In Ebonyi state,the media have been very firm,proactive and responsive to it's constitutional responsibilities on issues that affect the society.
Trained journalists are mindful of the fact that the society largely depends on them to get the truth,and nothing but the truth as events unfold.
In Ebonyi state,it is an indisputable fact that governor David Umahi has performed above average in rendering quality service to the people. Even the opposition quite acknowledge this fact,but,choose to show it through envy,unneccessary bickering and bitterness of heart. To me such cannot win election.
It will be recalled that governor David Umahi had earlier received various awards as the best performing governor in Nigeria from different reputable media organizations in Nigeria and beyond.
It is not out of place to say that governor David Umahi,is God sent to deliver the people of Ebonyi state from underdevelopment,considering the quantum of infrastructural facilities put on ground.
For instance,Ebonyi state,is the only state,out of the six states created by late Gen.Sani Abacha in 1996,that have constructed International airport,constructed over 17 Flyovers within 7 years of administration,built International market,Medical University and massive roads construction,just to mention but a few.
On the issue of security,governor David Umahi,has assisted the Nigeria police elaborately to combat crime in the state,with procurement of crime fighting equipments,like,communication gadgets,CCTV cameras and Hilux vehicles.
Umahi,also renovated the state police headquarters/barracks and went ahead to reconstruct and tare it's internal roads,empowered wives of security personnel,even including their husbands.
No wonder,why the crime rate has drastically reduced in Ebonyi state.
Therefore,it beholds on all and sundry,no matter one's political leanings to appreciate the good works,God has used Governor Umahi to do.

19/09/2022

GENERAL Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi has taken a swipe at ushers who insist ladies coming to church with uncovered

14/09/2022

September 13, (THEWILL) – A 24-year-old Nigerian lady, Annastasia Michael Olamma, has offered to donate her kidney to the ailing daughter of former deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. THEWILL reports that Sonia Chinonso Ekweremadu, on Monday, September 12, appealed to members of the public to...

14/09/2022

A look at Gov Umahi's giant stride in infrastructural development

Looking at governor Umahi's tremendous achievements as recorded in Ebonyi state,since inception of office,one would not,but acknowledge the fact that governor David Umahi actually came to serve the people.
For me,he came with genuine desire to liberate the people of Ebonyi state from the state of hoplesness,lack of social infrastructure and human capital development.
Ebonyi people are no longer taken for granted.No wonder the divine mandate mantra of his administration.
Before the coming on board of Umahi,Abakaliki capital city was a glorified secondary school,and a shadow of itself with dilapidated or no solid infrastructure put in place.
He started with road revolution and Urban renewal to make the capital city a befiting city that one would be proud of.
All the roads linking the 13 local government areas of the state had within a twinkle of an eye been reconstructed and aphalted,together with the internal roads of adjoining minor cities,across the 3 senatorial zones of the state.
While,Bridges and over 17 Flyovers has been constructed and put into use,including the wonder Edda Iyere Flyover,Afikpo south local government area,which can better be described as the third Niger bridge of the south east.
The reconstruction of International market,one of the largest markets in Africa,construction of world class shopping Mall,a replica of Dubai Mall,the Ecumenical centre(non denominational place of worship),and reconstruction of Abakaliki township stadium,all were started and completed during the first tenure of governor David Umahi.
Governor Umahi,reconstructed and equiped the 13 general hospitals of the state into an enviable status to meet the health need of the people.And in addition,constructed the ultra modern King David University of medical sciences,Uburu,a world class health institution,which has since been taken over by the Federal government.
The National University Commission(NUC),had described the health institution as the most beautiful university in Nigeria.
Just recently,the signing of MOU by federal government was perfected through federal ministry of health.
The school of nursing and midwifery Uburu,is another giant stride of Umahi led administration,aimed at training health manpower for both the state and federal government.
The industrial clusters,constructed by governor David Umahi,located at Ohaozara local government area of the state,is yet another milestone of Umahi's led administration.
Also very strategic and quite commendable is the construction of Ebonyi International
airport,otherwise,known as Muhammed Buhari International airport which has reached 85 percent completion.
The airport when completed will no doubt boost the economic fortune of the state,through revenue generation.
Governor Umahi had earlier promised to complete the project by end of October this year,and work is on steady progress to actualize the promise.
Governor Umahi had also built African's biggest Light Tunnel,named after President Muhammadu Buhari,at Akanu Ibiam Flyover.
All these are just the tip of the iceberg.

13/09/2022

The first oil discovery in Nigeria was in Edda Ebonyi state and not oloibiri in beyelsa state.

Edda oil field Ebonyi state, discovered in far back 1928, but was abandoned giving oloibiri in Bayelsa state the credit of first oil well in 1957.

On April 25, 1928, a memorandum was received from the director of geological survey, saying that the “fluid was certainly crude oil of medium to high specific gravity, and its discovery by you, is of the greatest importance.”

From the recovered documents, a sample of the oil was forwarded to the British government in London on July 5, 1928. In an earlier correspondence, the director of geological survey, Mr. P. O. Kinna, on May 9, 1928 wrote to the chief secretary to the government, Lagos on the topic: “Oil at Ngusu (Nguzu),” stating: “I have the honour to forward a report by Mr. Bain on the oil seepage at Ngusu (Nguzu), which he examined in January and February this year.

“This seepage of oil is very similar to that previously described from near Awgu and those occurrences warrant the hope that oil may yet be found in the beds in greater quantities. The oil appears in the bed of a small stream about half a mile from the west of the Ngusu rest house, which lies some 14 miles south-west of Afikpo.

“It oozes out from the sides of a pit dug in the stream-bed and is accompanied by the evolution of gas, which bubbles up through the water accompanying the oil. Under favourable conditions, the oil burns freely as jet and is probably a mixture of methane and ethane, two gases associated with mineral oil. A fairly steady flow of oil was maintained amounting to about two gallons per day.”

In his expert opinion, Bain suggested that should a detailed geologic survey show that the oil is gravitating down the hillside from pebbly sandstone, it is unlikely to yield economic supplies unless seepages are found east of the watershed. However, should further work show that the oil is being forced up through the shales under gas pressure, there is the possibility of economic supplies being concealed in a deep seated natural reservoir.

To clear this speculation, he advised that such problem can only be solved by a “detailed geological investigation directed, especially, to determining the underground rock structures.”

To ensure the oil was tapped, Shelton solicited financial assistance from Ogoja in order to use it to motivate the people, as he had put it: “in order to secure the aid of some of the local inhabitants.”

After the samples were sent to London, the Imperial Institute, South Kensington London, SW7 on December 20, 1928 wrote, in reply to the geologists in Nigeria, in respect of the Edda oil samples in Reference No. M.3566 in the following words: “It will be noted that oil of similar quality to that represented by the sample, if free from sediments and water, could be used as a fuel oil.” This was signed by L.M Henderson Scott, Principal, Mineral Resources Department.

Saturday Sun’s search at the Archives in Enugu concerning the Edda oil finds, after a visit to Edda to see the oil find spots, was revealing and rewarding. The file is intact and filled with indisputable facts of the oil discovery. And by the documents there, so far, there is no oil find in Nigeria older than that of Edda. It puts the lie mark on the record that first oil find in Nigeria was in Oloibiri, in present Bayelsa State. Oloibiri was in the mid 50s while that of Edda is almost 30 years older.

The file: No. OG/2003, Subject: Discovery of Oil in Afikpo Division by Mr. L.H. Shelton, then D.O (Divisional Officer of the British colonial government) was deposited at the Archives on January 15, 1956. This period of filing coincides with the second oil find in Edda by Shell BPC at another location. While the first find was in Nguzu, the second was at Ezi Edda. At this place, Saturday Sun saw the landmark still intact. In between the Orienta Primary School, Ezi-Edda and Etiti Secondary School and a health centre is this oil well marked with a platform, just about a pole off the major road that leads to Ndiba Edda. With age and the school children that shake and tamper with the platform, where they crack palm nuts from palm trees standing nearby, sides of the concrete slab are gone. And a native that took Saturday Sun there, Mr. Arua Paul, explained that in his days, as a school boy in the primary school in the 70s, there used to be a red plastic cap on the metal vertical projection on the slab that had inscription of date of dig of the well and the company.

Copied, Igbo history