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Ex-N’Assembly members, groups fault Reps 31 new states’ proposal

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The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposed creation of 31 additional states besides the country’s 36 existing states has sparked widespread reactions from prominent Nigerians and groups across the country.

The proposal was contained in a letter to the House of Representatives read during Thursday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

However, the proposal was rejected by the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, and its northern counterpart, the Arewa Consultative Forum, which described it as ridiculous.

The committee, chaired by Kalu, proposed an additional six new states in the North-Central, four in the North-East, five in the North-West, five in the South-South, and seven in the South-West.

The states being considered include Okun, Okura and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti and Orashi as the sixth states in the South-East; Adada from Enugu; and Orlu and Aba.

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Others are Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, and Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun States.

The letter read in part, “The Committee proposes the creation of 31 new states.  As amended, this section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation, which include the following:

“New state and boundaries; An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if it requires support by at least the third majority of members.

‘’The House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly.

“Local government advocates for the creation of additional local government areas are only reminded that section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, applies to this process.

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“Specifically, in accordance with section 8 (3) of the Constitution, the outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for fulfilment of state demands.

“Proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations. Submit three hard copies of the full proposal of the memoranda to the Secretariat of the Committee in Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, and Abuja.

“Sub-copies must also be sent electronically to the committee’s email address at info.hccr.gov.nj. For further information or contact, please contact the Committee Clerk at 08069-232381.

“The committee remains committed to supporting the implementing efforts that align with the Constitutional provisions and would only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines. This is coming from the Clerk of the Committee on Constitutional Review.’’

Taking a dim view of the bill, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, explained that the proposed state creation negated Afenifere’s demand for true federalism.

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He said, “The recent proposal by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review to create 31 new states does not align with Afenifere’s long-standing demand for true federalism.

“Instead of addressing the core structural issues plaguing Nigeria, this initiative appears to be a mere political exercise that will further weaken governance and deepen economic inefficiencies.’’

Afenifere has consistently advocated genuine fiscal federalism, similar to what Nigeria’s founding fathers agreed upon before independence.

Omololu noted, “The creation of more states without a viable economic foundation will only compound the financial burden on the nation, as many existing states are already struggling to generate sufficient Internally Generated Revenue and rely heavily on federal allocations to survive.

‘’Turning every local government into a state is not the solution to Nigeria’s governance challenges. The real issue is not the number of states but the dysfunctional federal structure that has concentrated power at the centre, stifling regional development.’’

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Instead of proliferating states that may later be unviable, Afenifere urged the National Assembly to focus on constitutional reforms that would devolve power, return resource control to the regions, and grant states the autonomy to develop at their own pace.

“Nigeria needs a system where states or regions control their resources and contribute an agreed percentage to the federal government, just as it was during the First Republic. This is the only path to sustainable development, not the reckless creation of more administrative units.

“Afenifere rejects this proposal and calls on well-meaning Nigerians to resist attempts to distract from the real conversation—restructuring and true federalism,” Omololu declared.

The Arewa Consultative Forum similarly expressed strong opposition to the proposed creation of 31 new states, describing the idea as unnecessary.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, stated that the forum was not in support of the proposed creation of new states, citing the country’s complexity and the potential for creating more problems.

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According to him, the more states created, the more demands that will emerge, leading to more acrimonies.

He questioned the economic viability of the existing 36 states, highlighting the administrative burdens and overhead costs associated with governorship and civil service.

The ACF spokesperson emphasised that creating new states would be too expensive and unnecessary, and would only provide opportunities for the elite to assume leadership positions without necessarily improving the economic viability of the states.

He said, “We have not seen the details of the proposed states, but it’s ridiculous. How long are we going to be creating states and creating problems in this country?

“How many of the 36 states are viable economically? How many of the states can carry the administrative burdens of governorship and all it takes – the civil service and the amount of expenditure on overhead?

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“Honestly, I don’t think the creation of states is our priority because it’s too expensive and unnecessary, and there is no way it will stop. It’s opening up room for more demands and more acrimony.”

Instead of creating new states, he advised the government to focus on addressing the social and economic challenges facing the people.

“We hope that more rational heads will prevail over the issue, but right now, honestly, it’s not the priority; affecting the lives, and the social-economic standing of the people is a better objective to pursue.

“Creation of state as we have seen will not solve our problems. It will give some elites a chance to assume leadership positions with all the perks that are attached to the office, but honestly, we don’t think economically, they will be viable,” Muhammad-Baba said.

But the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, endorsed the proposal for additional states.

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Speaking in Jos on Thursday, Pogu described the proposal as a welcome development that addresses the country’s long-standing issues of equity and governance.

As a proponent of the Savannah state, Pogu emphasized that the MBF supports the proposal, citing the need for a more inclusive and representative system of government.

“The challenge of Nigeria requires a lot of tinkering to get it right. There has been no equity in the whole process of governing Nigeria”, he said

Pogu highlighted the example of Southern Borno, which has never produced a governor, with the position always being held by either Northern or Central Borno.

He argued that the proposed creation of new states would help address the plurality of Nigeria and promote a more equitable distribution of power and resources.

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The MBF has long advocated for greater autonomy and representation for the region’s diverse ethnic groups

The proposed creation of new states is seen as a significant step towards addressing the historical injustices and imbalances in the country’s governance structure.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide declared that the South-East should be allocated more states to address ‘’the wrongs that had been done to the region on state creation.’’

Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu,  stated, “It is unfortunate that such a bill is also aimed at suppressing the  South-East as usual. It is completely unacceptable that Southeast should be appropriated only five states.

‘’South-East, all these while, is the only zone in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has the least number of states irrespective of our population and our contributions both economically and infrastructural development of the nation.

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“So, giving southeast such a small number of five states in this bill when others that already have advantages orchestrated by successive governments before now is quite unacceptable and unfortunately, it is above all antithetical to the commonwealth of the South-Easterners and the so-called equity we are preaching in the country.”

He added, “South-East deserves more states more than any other zone in the country because South-East is the only zone that has been short-changed over the years by successive governments. So, if justice and equity should prevail southeast must be given the highest number of states.’’

“So, if the Federal Government fails to correct the wrongs that had been done to the South-East over the years, this is the time to at least give this equation some terms of balance by appropriating more number states to the South-East to make up with the other geopolitical zones.”

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum observed that the creation of more states could be meaningful if all the geo-political zones in the country have equal states as agreed in the last constitutional conference.

The spokesman for PANDEF, Christopher Ominimini, however, queried the viability of new states, pointing out that states should be created based on self-sustainability.

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If the creation of more states became necessary, he argued it should be done equally across the board to even with the North-West, which has seven states.

Anything short of that, he noted, would be a perpetuation of the injustice in the country.

He said a situation where more states would be created to depend on the oil and gas from the Niger Delta region, while other states with mineral resources are allowed to exploit theirs is not the way to go.

He stated, “ Well,  it  is  the  right  of  the people  to call for the creation of states.  However,  the  most important  thing is  that  in the  last  constitutional  conference, it was  agreed  that  all the  geopolitical zones  should  have  seven states  each  as  it is  in the  North-West.

“So,  the  South -East  should  have  additional  two states  so  that  it  would  be  seven  states. The  South- West  should  have  additional  states  to  make  it  seven  states.

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He added, “But the question we want to ask is ‘will the states be viable?’ Do  they have the means  of  survival if  the vision  of  our  forefathers  are  kept  to?  Because  the  vision  of  our  forefathers who  fought  for  the  independence  of  this  country is  that  the  various  states  should  control  their  resources  and  pay  tax  to  the centre.”

Ex- Senators condemn move

A former Ambassador to Kuwait, Senator Haruna Garba, described the Reps proposal as “unbelievable.”

Garba, who represented Gombe North in the Senate, said, “The number is unbelievable, how can you talk about 30 more states. What are we turning ourselves into? What kind of democracy are we talking about? The number is too much. The number is unacceptable.”

He added, “Can we afford the paraphernalia of 31 more states? Where do we get the resources to take care of 67 states? What we should do is to give every zone one more each to amount to 42 more states, 67 is too much, we are not serious.”

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Also, a former Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Nicholas Tofowomo, condemned the proposal of the Reps.

Tofowomo, who was in the Senate between 2019 and 2023, described the proposal of the lawmakers as useless, saying the country should focus more on the development of local government areas, rather than states creation. He added that many of the present states were not economically viable.

He said, “The viability of states in Nigeria should be a pressing concern to the lawmakers, not creation of states. Currently, many states rely heavily on federal allocations, which raise questions about their economic independence. There is the need to reform local governments, which are closest to the people, rather than creating more states.

“In Nigeria, there are 774 local governments, which are struggling to deliver basic services. The 1976 Local Government Reforms aimed to the “basket of Nigeria” due to their rich agricultural land. However, even these states face challenges in terms of infrastructure and economic development. Rather than creating more states, the focus addresses these challenges, but more needs to be done.”

“Some states, like Benue, have been dubbed should be on strengthening local governments and giving them more responsibilities, especially in agriculture.

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“Ultimately, Nigeria needs to rethink its approach to governance and economic development. By empowering local governments and promoting agricultural production, the country can move towards a more sustainable and equitable future.”

Ex-Reps kick

In the same vein, a former House of Representatives member from Anambra, Barth Nnanna, kicked against the proposed additional 31 states, saying it would be unmanageable, cumbersome and chaotic to handle.

Nnanna, who represented Ogbaru Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2003, added that “even from the proposal, the South-East is shortchanged with a shortfall of four states compared to North-West and South-West.”

He said what Nigeria needed now was not additional states but a return to regional system of government with federating components making up the state.

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He said, “We look at the proposal and we can say that proposing additional 31 states to join the already existing 36 states will be too unwieldy to manage. Most of the existing 36 states are not viable and can’t stand on their own with the exception of three states, every other states depend on the handout from Abuja for survival and now they are proposing additional 31 states.

“What we had expected them to do is to first balance the states of the geopolitical regions. For instance, like the South-East that has five states should be giving additional states to balance the equation.

“Even with the proposal, it means South-East will be given additional five states totalling 10 states. It means the region will be trailing North-West and South-West which may likely have 14 states each. You can see it is not balanced and there is no equity in the whole thing.

“Anyway, it is still a proposal; it will still be subjected to public scrutiny and acceptance. When it comes to that stage, the people will either accept it or reject it. But the truth is Nigeria doesn’t need additional states at the moment.”

Another former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbona Nwuke, has said Governors may not support the creation of additional states.

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Nwuke, who represented Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the Green Chamber, also questioned the viability of the proposed states.

“It is very clear that state creation will not be possible without the support of the governors. And the way it stands state governors may not back state creation.

“Anyway, as we speak, not all states appear to be viable. And to talk about that number of states being created, if that is the will of the people across the country, then one will perhaps say there is nothing wrong with that. But let me note that state creation has never been handled by any civilian administration in Nigeria

“And previous attempts to create states have also not been successful. So, it will be nice to see what stakeholders will say when the issue of states creation is tabled before them.

“But looking at history, most states created in the country were by fiat by the military and none has been created by any civilian administration.

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Asked if he supports the creation of more states, he added, “We have six geo-political zones and we know that in the South East has been clamouring for one additional state.

“Now, in order to achieve a level of balance, which is missing at this time, we need to know the number of states because there has to be some balancing with Nigeria’s geographical expression.

“So, it is a critical matter, very serious matter which will demand more information, additional information on how the committee came to that number of states and then how those states will be distributed when it comes to Nigeria’s geo-political spread.”

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Mbah Calls for Impartial Probe into Violence at Political Gathering in Enugu

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Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has called on the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into violence surrounding a recent political gathering in the state, during which a citizen was reportedly shot and injured.

The governor, in an address to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over the incident, assuring affected individuals and their families that their safety and well-being remained a priority.

Mbah said the reported violence had raised concerns about public safety and the peace the state had worked to maintain, stressing that all citizens must be able to exercise their political rights without fear or intimidation.

He reiterated the Enugu State Government’s position on allegations of involvement in the violence, stating that the government’s primary responsibility was to protect lives, uphold the law and ensure that justice was served.

The governor also said he expected the police to investigate the incident thoroughly and without bias, adding that anyone found responsible would be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, irrespective of their political connections.

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“Every citizen, whatever their political affiliation, must be able to exercise their political rights without fear or violence,” Mbah said.

He urged residents to remain committed to peace as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The governor concluded his message by expressing concern for those affected by the violence and praying for the continued peace and progress of Enugu State.

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SEDC Prioritises Roads, Rural Electrification, Water and Education in South-East

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The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has briefed the Senate Committee on the Commission’s activities and development priorities for the South-East region during an oversight visit to Enugu on Monday.

The meeting focused on critical infrastructure and development needs across the region, including road connectivity, rural electrification, access to clean water, education, environmental sustainability and strategic projects aimed at unlocking the South-East’s economic potential.

During the engagement, the Senate Committee stressed the need for improved staff welfare, effective institutional development and sustained collaboration between the Commission and the National Assembly to ensure the successful implementation of its mandate.

The Committee also passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the SEDC, expressing support for the initiatives undertaken by the Commission so far.

The development comes as the Commission continues efforts to address longstanding infrastructure challenges and promote sustainable economic growth across the South-East.

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The SEDC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to attract strategic investments and implement practical interventions that will improve livelihoods, strengthen regional integration and promote inclusive development.

The Commission’s mandate covers the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, with a focus on advancing development initiatives capable of improving the living conditions of residents and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness.

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REC urges Enugu residents not to wait for rush hours in Claims/Objections, PVC collection windows

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged residents of Enugu State to avoid waiting for rush hours before participating in the ongoing Claims and Objections, and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection windows.

INEC, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, commenced nationwide Claims and Objections for fresh registrants and PVC collection for those who did transfer of voting location and those who are yet to collect their PVCs.

INEC Residents Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, during a press briefing on Friday in Enugu, said that the Claims and Objections window would last for seven days from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15.

Chukwu said that both exercises would commence simultaneously on Oct. 9 across all the 260 Registration Areas (RAs) in the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State.

He said that INEC had concluded training and retraining for designated personnel on the procedures and processes for the Display and Hearing of Claims and Objections, as well as the distribution of PVCs.

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According to him, I urge all eligible persons concerned to take advantage of this opportunity and avoid waiting until rush hours or the last day before visiting their designated Registration Areas.

He said, “The Display and Hearing of Claims and Objections is an important aspect of the voter registration process.

“It provides an opportunity for eligible citizens to examine the voters’ register and bring forward legitimate claims or objections regarding entries in the register in accordance with the Commission’s established procedures.

“This process is designed to help identify and correct errors, address legitimate concerns, and improve the accuracy and integrity of the voters’ register ahead of future electoral activities.

“I therefore encourage members of the public to visit their respective Registration Areas during the seven-day period to participate in the exercise and bring any legitimate claims or objections to the attention of designated INEC officials”.

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On PVC distribution, Chukwu said the distribution was intended for eligible citizens who registered during first-phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and those who applied for voter transfers or replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.

He said, “All affected persons are strongly advised to visit the appropriate Registration Areas where their PVCs are available and collect them within the stipulated period.

“They should follow the instructions of designated INEC officials to ensure an orderly and seamless process. The PVC collection will continue till December.”

The REC disclosed that Enugu State currently had a total of 2,213,768 registered voters across its 17 council area, adding that the figure underscored the importance of maintaining an accurate, credible, and up-to-date voters’ register.

He said that commission remained committed to ensuring that eligible citizens had the opportunity to participate in the electoral process in accordance with the law.

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“I call on all stakeholders, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and members of the public to support the successful conduct of these exercises by sensitising eligible citizens and encouraging them to participate.

“INEC Enugu State remains committed to transparency, inclusiveness, professionalism, and the continuous improvement of the electoral process,” he added.

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Ebonyi Cement Project: Where Is the Limestone Evidence?

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Questions Over Geological Studies, Core Drilling, Mining Licence and 2027 Political Timing

By Our Correspondent

ABAKALIKI — The proposed new cement factory in Ebonyi State is generating growing questions over the technical evidence behind the project, particularly the availability of a commercially viable limestone deposit, geological studies, core drilling, laboratory analysis and the required mineral rights.

The project has been presented as a major industrial investment capable of transforming the state’s economy, creating employment and strengthening its industrial base.

But before a cement factory can become a viable commercial project, one fundamental question must be answered: Where is the raw material?

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Limestone is the principal raw material for conventional cement production. Establishing its suitability and commercial viability requires more than identifying rocks on the surface.

It ordinarily involves geological mapping, geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, core recovery and core logging, followed by laboratory analysis of the samples.

The laboratory tests are expected to establish the chemical composition and quality of the limestone, including its calcium carbonate content and the levels of silica, alumina, iron, magnesium and other materials that could affect cement production.

The drilling and analysis also help establish the thickness, continuity and quality of the deposit and ultimately provide the basis for estimating the quantity of recoverable limestone available to sustain the proposed factory.

It is therefore against this technical background that questions are being asked about the proposed Ebonyi project.

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Where are the geological and geophysical survey reports? Where are the core-drilling records and core logs? Where are the laboratory results? What quantity of limestone has been established, and how many years could the reserve sustain the proposed factory?

There is also the question of the project’s mineral title or mining licence.

The promoters and the state government may need to identify the precise limestone deposit on which the proposed factory will depend and make clear the mineral rights covering the area.

The issue is particularly significant because establishing a cement plant requires enormous capital investment. Investors would ordinarily need credible geological data and a proven raw-material reserve before committing substantial resources to construction.

Political Questions

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The timing of the announcement has also raised political questions, coming as Ebonyi and other parts of the South-East move towards the 2027 general elections.

Critics may therefore question whether the proposed cement factory is already at an advanced technical and investment stage or whether the announcement is still largely a proposal.

That question can only be conclusively answered by documents.

If the project has progressed beyond the conceptual stage, the government should be able to provide evidence of the geological investigations, exploratory drilling, core analysis, reserve estimation, mineral rights and feasibility work supporting it.

Conversely, if these processes are still ongoing, the government could clarify that the project remains at the preliminary stage and provide a realistic timeline for completing the studies and moving to construction.

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There is nothing inherently wrong with announcing an industrial project at an early stage. What would be problematic is creating the impression that a commercially ready cement factory is imminent when the fundamental geological and regulatory groundwork has not yet been completed.

Public Demand for Evidence

The controversy, therefore, is not whether Ebonyi should establish another cement factory. It is whether the proposed project is backed by the technical evidence required for such an investment.

The Ebonyi State Government and promoters of the project should clarify:

– The exact location of the limestone deposit;
– The geological and geophysical studies already completed;
– The number and location of exploratory boreholes;
– The results of core drilling and core logging;
– The laboratory analysis of the limestone samples;
– The estimated proven and recoverable limestone reserves;
– The expected lifespan of the deposit;
– The mineral title or mining licence covering the deposit;
– The environmental and other regulatory approvals;
– The identity of the investors and financing arrangements; and
– The projected construction and production timelines.

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Until these questions are answered with verifiable evidence, doubts about the technical readiness of the proposed factory are likely to persist.

For Ebonyi residents, the demand is straightforward:

Show the geological studies. Show the core-drilling results. Show the laboratory analysis. Show the limestone reserve estimate. Show the mining licence.

Those documents, more than political declarations, will demonstrate whether the proposed cement factory is a fully developed industrial project or an investment proposal still awaiting the technical groundwork required to make it viable.

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Governor Mbah Hails Chibuikem Emmanuel as Youth Entrepreneurship Reference Point, Commends Powell Homes’ Housing Investment

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………..As Council Chairman, Traditional Ruler Applaud Quality of Work at Hosanna Estate, Ibagwa Nike.

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has praised the business prowess and vision of the Managing Director of Powell Homes and Shelters, Architect Chibuikem Onyekachi Emmanuel, calling him a reference point for youths in entrepreneurship.

Governor Mbah made this known Wednesday during the official commissioning of Hosana Estate, Ibagwa Nike, where he also commended Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd. for investing in the state’s housing sector.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, stated that such a gesture by an Enugu-born entrepreneur was part of the state government’s development agenda, driven by resilience and a determination to leave Enugu better than it was inherited.

He also commended the Managing Director of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd. as well as other investors for committing resources to Enugu, describing their investments as an encouragement to the government’s drive to reposition the state.

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Barr Ossai assured investors and residents that the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah would continue to provide a safe environment for businesses and communities to thrive.

According to him, “As government, our primary objective is to provide security for the people and I’m delighted with what I’ve seen about the estate,” he said, while encouraging the investors to cooperate with the estate management for effective management of the development.

He also assured residents that the government would continue expanding infrastructure across the state.

“On our part, we’ll keep expanding infrastructure and for all those we’ve not attended to, do not be disappointed, we’re already on that path and we’re progressing geometrically. However, I thank all the investors and assure you that as a government, we’ll continue to provide security for the state.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Beloved-Dan Anike, commended Powell Homes and Shelters for choosing Ibagwa Nike for the project, noting that the ongoing dualisation of the road had positioned the area as an emerging urban centre.

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He also stated that Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd. had “blazed the trail” by investing in what he described as a future goldmine, adding that the local government was committed to supporting the development agenda of Governor Mbah.

The council chairman also noted that housing developments such as Hosana Estate would contribute to addressing the country’s housing deficit, particularly in Enugu State.

The traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike, His Royal Highness, Igwe Emma Ugwu, expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the community understood and supported the development initiatives of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd.

He recalled that when members of the community approached him to make enquiries about the project, he assured them that it was consistent with the developmental agenda of Governor Mbah and the community’s quest to support genuine businesses.

“When my people came to my palace to make enquiries about the project, I assured them that it aligns with the developmental initiative of His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and that the company is genuine and reliable.”

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The traditional ruler also thanked the Managing Director of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd. for choosing Ibagwa Nike as the location for the estate, assuring him that the community would give their best to make the project a success.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd., Architect Chibuikem Onyekachi Emmanuel, said the commissioning was more than the unveiling of another housing project, describing it as a celebration of vision, perseverance, partnership and purpose.

He attributed the successful completion of the project to the grace of God and the collective efforts of everyone who contributed to bringing the vision to reality.

“Today is not simply about commissioning another housing project. It is a celebration of vision, perseverance, partnership and the power of purpose. Above all, we acknowledge that it is by the grace of Almighty God that we have reached this point. What we are witnessing today is a reflection of His faithfulness and the collective efforts of everyone who contributed, in one way or another, to bringing this vision to reality.”

Architect Chibuikem Onyekachi Emmanuel, on behalf of the Board, Management and entire team of Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd., also appreciated Governor Mbah, represented at the event by Deputy Governor Ossai, for honouring the commissioning.

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He explained that the company viewed housing as more than the construction of physical structures, describing a home as a source of security, dignity and stability for families.

“At Powell Homes and Shelters, we believe that housing is more than bricks, concrete and physical structures. A home represents security. A home represents dignity. A home provides stability for families. Access to decent housing contributes significantly to the development of healthy, productive and prosperous communities.”

He also posited that Hosana Estate was conceived as a planned and functional community designed to meet the needs of modern families rather than merely as a collection of houses.

He further stated that the estate was equipped with essential infrastructure and amenities, including internal roads, drainage systems, electricity infrastructure, recreational facilities, a synthetic football pitch and a children’s playground.

The Managing Director also acknowledged the significant housing deficit facing Nigeria and the financial difficulties confronting many families, saying the company was determined to make homeownership more accessible. He added that the company would continue to develop quality homes at affordable price points while exploring innovative financing models, strategic partnerships and appropriate housing solutions to enable more Nigerians and members of the organised private sector to own homes.

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“The commissioning of Hosana Estate marked not an end but a new phase in the company’s expansion plans. While today marks the successful completion and commissioning of Hosana Estate, our journey does not end here. If anything, this achievement strengthens our resolve to do more. We are also committed to expanding our housing developments outside Enugu. This is because Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd. is committed to building more homes, developing more communities and expanding access to decent housing, not only in Enugu but in other parts of Nigeria where the need exists.”

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