Hunger ‘pandemic’ ravaging Enugu, APC declares as state mourns Kyari

Lockdown now operation kill S’East youths, says COSEYL
Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday raised an alarm over what it described as “hunger pandemic” ravaging residents of the state on account of the coronavirus lockdown.

The party also said it was yet to receive any palliatives from the Federal Government, stressing that the conditional cash transfer for poor and vulnerable Nigerians had not been extended to its members

State Chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye stated this in Enugu during the distribution of bags of rice, yams, eggs and cash were contributed by leaders of the party in the state for distribution to indigent residents in the 17 council areas of the state.

Nwoye stated at the party headquarters in Enugu that touched by the level of hunger being experienced especially at the grassroots, he decided to gather some party leaders to contribute money to buy the food items, adding that 100 residents would receive various amount of money alongside 200 others that would receive N5000 each.

Enugu state government yesterday condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of his Chief of Staff (COS), Abba Kyari. It also condoled with Kyari’s family and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) over the loss.

The state government in a condolence message signed by the Secretary to the state government, Professor Simeon Ortuanya, described the late Kyari as “a dedicated and loyal Chief of Staff, who discharged his duties with commitment and selflessness and prayed the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has decried the rate of extra-judicial killing of Igbo youths by security officials in the guise of enforcing the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

In a statement issued by its President, Goodluck Ibem and Secretary Kanice Igwe, the group alleged that the stay-at-home directive had now been turned into “an operation to kill innocent southeast youths,” saying the Federal Government should rise to protect all Nigerians.

The group expressed disappointed and alarm over the killing of a 21-year Friday Arunsi by a police constable at Ebem in Ohafia Council Area of Abia State at the weekend.

“This is unacceptable and we demand full investigation and prosecution of the culprit that perpetrated this inhuman and dastardly act,” the statement added.