New ride-hailing service launches and expanding in Owerri- 4kreport

The mobility of people in Owerri via public transport is of a very bad experience. The poorly maintained likely to collapse buses that makes a 15minute journey seem like an hour journey or how disorganised areas in Owerri are, with few actual bus-stops and undisciplined drivers dropping or picking up passengers wherever they like or how tight these buses are, with little spaces in between seats. It goes on and on.

For so long, many including me have been vexed by the condition of public transportation in Owerri and wished that either Taxify or Uber debuts Owerri.

Enisplus has launched Zigamu, a new e-hailing cab service in Owerri. The first of its kind in south-east and south-south of Nigeria, changing the transport condition and business for both passengers and drivers using technology.

The cab service is an affordable, safe and easily available on demand taxi booking platform that’s developed with both passengers and drivers in mind. Passengers only have to download and register on the app, chose pick up/drop off location, check for available drivers nearby then chose a method of payment(card,wallet or cash) and boom! you have a ride.

For drivers, having a car isn’t necessary as the app has booking options for Tricycle(Keke Napep) or Bus depending on your location. Also included is an intuitive GPS navigation for precise and easy tracking of passenger location, real-time internal chat between riders and drivers, and importantly easy commission structure.

In my opinion, the startup shouldn’t have any problem with customers acquisition. internet penetration increases every day in the east, The youth adapting to e-hailing shouldn’t be a problem as it has over the years become a norm. but security issues still remain the biggest Threat to e-hailing services in Nigeria.

Launched on the 5th of February, 2018, Zigamu has being self-funded by its founders till date has 40+ drivers and 120+ riders registered on its app.

The startup has a clear ambition to be the Number one ride-hailing service in the region.

“We want to take our place as the top on-demand service provider in the entire east. We have 12 cities in the east as our target market” Nwokedi Samuel- head of IT told 4kreport.

Food ordering and delivery services will be rolled out in the future as the app is undergoing phase two development.

Zigamu Cab Services office is at 19 Nwaturuocha Street, Ikenegbu, Owerri.

Phone: 09096732580
Source:4kreport.

IMO YOUTHS REJECT JEFF NWOHA AND HIS MONEY INDUCED ENDORSEMENT

IMO YOUTHS REJECT JEFF NWOHA AND HIS MONEY INDUCED ENDORSEMENT

BY OHAMADIKE EMMANUEL BEST* - 08038658512.

The imo state youths have rejected what they called money induced endorsements by the ENTRACO chairman Mr Jeff Nwoha.

The youths under the umbrella IMO YOUTHS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE made this declaration after their meeting held in Owerri.

The youth wondered why the ENTRACO chairman will continually collect money from politicians to mobilize IMO youths and subsequently endorse the highest bidder.

It will be recalled that similar move to endorse the Chief of staff to the governor failed as some youths staged a walk out when they realised that the purported youth summit was to endorse Uche Nwosu.

The youth wondered why some youth bodies were not allowed into the group because of the "belong"to their endorsement groups.

The imo youths wishes to state that Mr Jeff Nwoha and his cronies has no power to endorse anybody on behalf of IMO youths.

The group also noted with dismay another plan by Mr Jeff Nwoha and his group to further endorse for the second time the same politician they failed to endorse.
This they have planned to hold on Wednesday 14th Feb. 2018 at IMO youth center.

To this end all well IMO youth are advised to say no to sponsored endorsements as it is detrimental to our future.

IMO youth will collectively endorse somebody that is experienced, loyal, focused and has all the qualities required of a leader to move IMO state forward.

I will Support My Son In-Law As Successor, Says Imo Governor Okorocha

I will Support My Son In-Law As Successor, Says Imo Governor Okorocha 

By Uzoma Akobundu

Against the desire of members of  the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha on Monday unwrapped what he has been keeping to his family members alone, his plan to foist his son in-law, Uche Nwosu who is his Chief of Staff on the good people of Imo as his successor in 2019.

Key members of the APC in Imo had deserted the party since last Okorocha was said to be plotting with his wife to foist his son in-law on the state, ostensibly to cover his dirty deals when out of office.

Those who want Okorocha not to foist his son in-law on the people are senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Uche Onyeagocha, senator Ben Uwajumogu, Osita Iszunaso amonmg other key members of the party, all of who have now parted ways with Okorocha, thereby making the APC vulnerable to defeat in Imo.

There have been rallies in the state by party members who believe that Okorocha’s Deputy, Eze Madumere was better fitted to succeed him based on his experience, knowledge of the Government’s Ideology and the zone, Owerri, that is supposed to produce the next governor in Imo.

But Okorocha told a group of sponsored politicians from Imo who visited him that if Nwosu comes out to contest the 2019 governorship election in the State, he would support him on the ground that he has all the qualities of an ideal leader.

Okorocha described his stooge son in-law as “an ardent apostle of the Rescue Mission Government in the State,” when the “officials of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and leaders from Owerri Municipal Council” visited him on Monday at the Government House to urge him to encourage and support Nwosu for the governorship of the State in 2019.

Although Okorocha claimed that his son in-law has not told him that he wants to run for the governorship of the State, but he said “if he comes out he would support him,” adding that “he has known Uche Nwosu over the years but does not know his parents and described him as an honest man who, whatever he tells you in the morning is what he will tell you in the evening.”

Okorocha stated: “Uche Nwosu is hardworking, and never gets tired. He is a very humble young man. Not proud. Not arrogant. So, Power won’t enter his head. Inspite of the position he occupies you can’t see him quarreling with anybody or maltreating anybody. He does not segregate against anybody whether from Orlu or Owerri or Okigwe zone. He relates with people enviously. I have checked him in and out, I have not found him wanting.

“What the State wants is Imo governor and not Owerri Zone or Orlu Zone or Okigwe Zone governor. Zoning does not put food on the table of anybody. The young man is a team player, who does not use his office to molest anybody. He has the qualities of a good leader. If he says he will run for governor, I will support him.

“Obviously it might be as a result of these qualities that most people are talking about Uche Nwosu for governor everywhere even when he has not declared for the governorship. It might also be the reason for the endorsements he is getting from all quarters. You see, you don’t hide a good product. And the joy of every leader is to have a worthy successor. You don’t mind political opportunists. We have done very well as a government and we should be concerned about what happens to the achievements after.

“I am not from Owerri zone, but my administration has done more projects in Owerri zone and Owerri Municipal in particular more that the administrations before me had done put together. We need Imo governor and not a zonal governor. I have done in Okigwe zone what the man from the zone could not do for them. The records are there.”

Okorocha also called on the Igbo not to fail to vote for  APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, adding too that they need the North for Political survival.

Leader of the group, Obinna Mbata said their desire is to see a person with sense of leadership no matter where the person comes from to succeed Okorocha and a person who believes in development.

“The question is what happens to the amazing achievements of the governor after he must have left. The achievements of the governor have exceeded the expectations of so many people. And who succeeds him should be the concern of all patriotic Citizens of the State.

That is why we are here, to tell you that Uche Nwosu has all it takes to measure up well,” according to a statement by Okorocha’s chief Press Secretary,  Sam Onwuemeodo.

As Catalonia Independence Referendum Nears, Madrid Escalates Tensions

MADRID — The Spanish police detained more than a dozen people in the region of Catalonia on Wednesday, drastically escalating tensions between the national government and Catalan separatists. The episode occurred less than two weeks before a highly contentious referendum on independence that the government in Madrid has vowed to block.

With the backing of the constitutional court, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been stepping up efforts to prevent the referendum, scheduled for Oct. 1.

The police raided the offices of the Catalan regional government early Wednesday and arrested at least 14 people, including Josep Maria Jové, secretary general of economic affairs. The arrests were not expected, but hundreds of mayors and other officials in Catalonia had been warned that they would be indicted if they helped organize a referendum in violation of Spanish law.

Hundreds of supporters of Catalan independence immediately took to the streets of Barcelona to protest the arrests. Jordi Sanchez, the leader of one of the region’s biggest separatist associations, used Twitter to urge Catalansto “resist peacefully,” but also to “come out and defend our institutions.”

Nigeria Should include digitization in recovery plan - Onyeche

The chief executive officer of Siemens Nigeria, Onyeche Tifase, has said that the west African country can become a global energy power house through a digital revolution of its oil and gas facilities.

Tifase explained that digitalisation in the energy sector would involve the better use of data to manage and control multiple operations, THISDAY reported.

She further noted that the application of digitalisation would enable efficiencies in energy management and automation systems, declaring that workers in a digital industrial environment enjoy a massive increase in skills and productivity.

Digitalisation policy

According to Tifase, with a potential $300 billion to be added to the African economy by 2026, through the adoption of digitalisation, Nigeria would receive a significant portion of that figure to advance its growing oil and gas market, media reported.

However, she said that to make this a reality, the federal government should include a robust digitalisation policy and supporting legislation, its Economic and Recovery Growth Plan 2017-2020.

Tifase also highlighted that digital development is not confined to new oil and gas facilities.

“Effective integration of digital technologies could reduce capital expenditure in the oil and gas sector by up to 20%, cut upstream operating costs by up to 5% and downstream costs by up to 2.5%,” she said.

Solving on-going vandalism

She stated that Nigeria's best approach will be a combination of local skills and knowledge, and the expertise and experience of a proven international partner able to deliver digital technologies and automation, together with traditional instrumentation and controls, across the entire energy value chain.

This further supports backward integration of skills and technical competence in the country's limited skilled workforce, she said.

The Siemens Nigeria boss said that while the energy sector is struggling with on-going vandalism of its oil and gas infrastructure, with a staggering financial impact, technology is a significant part of the solution to this challenge, as it enables real-time monitoring of infrastructure and quicker incident responses.

Source: esi-africa

Buhari is not Contesting in 2019 – Mama Taraba

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari told the All Progressives Congress, APC, before contesting for President in 2015 that he would only seek one term in office.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Minister, popularly called Mama Taraba said she intend to hold Buhari by his words that he won’t run for the presidency in 2019.

The comment came after a similar interview with BBC Hausa, where Alhassan said she would support former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in 2019 should Buhari opt to contest.

Alhassan explained that her choice of Abubakar was predicated on the fact that the former Vice President is her “godfather.” 

Source: dailypost

Imo Deputy Governor happy as Eke Onuwa is relocated to his LGA

Imo Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere "the likely Successor of Governor Rochas Okorocha" this evening Posted on his Facebook about his visit to  the new Rescue Mission Relief Market, Egbeada.

He wrote:

This evening, I visited Rescue Mission Relief Market, "Egbeada in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State" to also ascertain the progress so far made on the market structures for the traders to quickly settle in.

I must salute the courage of the women who showed unbridled optimism for a better tomorrow. I was received by the Adviser to the Governor on Market, Hon. Ichie Best Mbanaso who promised the completion of the shops in less than 10 days. Meanwhile, he said that over 470 people have already been accommodated."

Prince Eze Madumere is from Achi Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo state