The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Educationist trains youths on virtual learning

    Educationist trains youths on virtual learning

    Mosunmola Michael, an educationist and tech enthusiast, has impressed on youths the need for continuous learning in order to meet the demands of the 21st century especially, at the workplace.

    Michael, who is the brain behind Michael founded ExcelMind, a virtual learning platform that has enabled over 100,000 students succeed at local and international institutions, said, continuous learning is setting the path for a bright future.

    According to the educationalist, her quest to ensure a brighter future was what informed her decision to adopt innovative idea that makes learning easy and accessible to students.

    Dating back to 2019, when she set up shop, an elated Michael said her joy knows no bounds given that she has been able to bring her idea to life and impact her generation thus far.

    “The idea was born out of the zeal I have for the education sector, our youths and the desire to contribute my quota to building Nigeria and add value to other users from the international community. I was deeply concerned about the statistics of failure of students who attempt entrance examinations into universities, both local and international. This compelled me to start an online learning and exam preparation platform, known today as ExcelMind to help prepare students adequately for various entrance examinations they need in order to gain admission and also access scholarships,” she noted.

    Speaking on the modus operandi she adopts, she said the process is simple and it’s just a three step process.

    “First they log on to ExcelMind from the website, then, they register for the exam they want to prepare for and finally they simply subscribe and start learning in the simulation environment.”

    Giving insight on her expertise, the educationist noted her experience in the last decade especially working the public education sector has been an eye opener of some sorts.

    “I have been an education officer with the Lagos State Government for over five years. I also have other relevant certifications because I know the place of self-development and the opportunities it affords.”

  • Obi of Onitsha, Nwobodo, others hail Ugwuanyi for immortalising Zik

    Obi of Onitsha, Nwobodo, others hail Ugwuanyi for immortalising Zik

    The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the wife of the former Premier of the Eastern Region and first President of Nigeria, the late Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dame Prof Uche Azikiwe, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, former Nigerian Ambassador of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, Amb. Justina Eze, and Chief Maxi Ukuta, on Friday, poured encomiums on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his vision and steadfastness in upholding the legacy and spirit of Dr. Azikiwe of blessed memory for the world the appreciate.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre – the former Enugu residence of Dr. Azikiwe known as old Premier Lodge, renovated, furnished and decorated with personal effects and other monuments of the great Zik of Africa by Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration – the leaders commended the governor for all the outstanding things he has done to immortalise the foremost nationalist.

    They described Governor Ugwuanyi as a true leader who has shown enormous commitment and passion for the preservation of what the great Zik of Africa represents to Ndigbo, Nigerians, Africans and the world, adding that the idea to immortalise the Nigerian statesman and tell his inspiring story for reference purposes, tourism and posterity is commendable.

    In his speech, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for “his zeal and steadfastness in ensuring that the legacy of Nnamdi Azikiwe is not swept under the carpet”, adding that posterity will always remember the governor for the gesture.

    The Royal Father further expressed gratitude to the governor “for all the things you have been doing to uphold the legacy of Nnamdi Azikiwe, and support the family he left behind.”

    He said that Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment towards upholding Zik’s legacy is uncommon “particularly in Nigeria where we easily forget our leaders, forgetting their efforts, their sufferings and what they denied themselves.”

    Speaking on the edifice and what it represents as a historical, educational and tourist monument to remember the great Zik of Africa, Igwe Achebe revealed that “young people could come here and appreciate the efforts of our leaders past, their philosophies, their leadership principles, their sense of humility so that we can emulate them.”

    On her part, Zik’s wife, Prof. Uche Azikiwe stated that “the family of late Nnamdi Azikiwe will never forget Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State”, revealing that the governor’s humility is unprecedented.

    In his goodwill message, the former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo lauded Governor Ugwuanyi for immortalising Dr. Azikiwe through the newly inaugurated Centre, expressing fulfillment that the governor has done it for the late Zik and his family.

    “I am happy that this thing has been done. Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi) I thank you very much for remembering our greatest man. I want to say that when you water others, you will be watered. When you show kindness to others, people will show kindness to you.

    “Your Excellency, I thank once again for doing this and I thank you for doing this in Enugu. I am also asking the Federal Government to take note. Zik was President of Nigeria, this kind of Centre should also be in Abuja,” Senator Nwobodo said.

    Corroborating the previous speakers’ remarks, one of the closest friends of Zik, Chief Maxi Ukuta stated that “God has used Governor Ugwuanyi to do many things over Zik”, restating that “since the demise of Zik, he (Ugwuanyi) was the first head of government that took people and members of his government to pay a visit to his wife, Prof. Uche Azikiwe at Nsukka.”

    Inaugurating the Centre, Governor Ugwuanyi disclosed that the multi-purpose monument was developed by his administration to immortalise, propagate and perpetuate the leadership ethos, patriotic ideals and scholarly insights of the legend, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

  • Abia govt directs immediate payment of two months salary to medical workers

    Abia govt directs immediate payment of two months salary to medical workers

    Abia State Government has directed immediate payment of two month’s salary arrears to workers at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba.

    The government added that the workers would further receive more payment in December as part of its plans to reposition the state’s tertiary health institution for effective productivity.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Eze Chikamnayo says the payment of the two month’s salary is with immediate effect.

    The statement read in part: “His Excellency, the Rebuilder of Abia State, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu in his determination to resolve the perennial intractable challenges of ABSUTH has directed the Commissioner of Finance to immediately pay two months Salaries as proposed to ABSUTH Workers immediately.

    “ABSUTH Workers will also receive another bulk payment of two months’ salaries in December 2022.”

    The statement further warned those planning to disrupt activities at the hospital to desist forthwith or face the wrath of the law.

    He advised political parties to respect and preserve the sanctity of government institutions as the Commissioner of Police, Abia State and the Aba Area Commander have been duly advised and would take necessary action accordingly.

  • Owerri leaders endorse Uzodimma for second term

    Owerri leaders endorse Uzodimma for second term

    Stakeholders from Owerri Senatorial Zone have endorsed Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for a second term.

    This is even as the leaders have also demanded that governorship position be rotated to Owerri Zone at the end of Governor Uzodimma’s constitutional two-term mandate of eight years in office.

    The stakeholders, comprising traditional rulers, political leaders, businessmen, women leaders and opinion leaders converged at the Palace of Chairman Owerri Zone Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Akujobi David Osuagwu in Awaka, Owerri North Local Government Area of the state, where they commended Governor Uzodimma for his stellar performance in less than three years in office.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the host HRM Eze Akujobi David Osuagwu, all other leaders, the stakeholders eulogized Uzodimma for investing in human capital beyond infrastructure and industries, saying they considered the huge investment in human capital development as a veritable ingredient for sustainable development.

    They expressed happiness over the governor’s performance in the area of quality infrastructure with particular reference to the dualisation of Owerri – Orlu road (36km), the Owerri – Okigwe road, Phase one (29km), the reconstruction of Owerri – Umuahia road through Mbaise as well as the rehabilitation of numerous roads within Owerri metropolis.

  • Ex-Imo Speaker joins gubernatorial race in Imo

    Ex-Imo Speaker joins gubernatorial race in Imo

    As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the timetable for the 2024 governorship election in Imo State, a former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu has joined the increasing number of aspirants who have expressed their interest to contest the position on the platform of Labour Party (LP).

    Other aspirants include Capt David Mbamara, Martin Agbaso, Major General Ogulewe, former governorship candidate of Action Alliance(AA), Uche Nwosu, ex Imo Speaker Ike Ibeh, Chuks Ololo, Linus Okorie, James Okoroma, Mike Ehiogu, Athan Achonu and Nnaemeka Obiaraeri.

    Addressing the party executive at the State Labour secretariat, Nwagwu pointed out that he has garnered the requisite experience and political exposure to pilot the affairs of the State to greatness and place the State on the map of development and secured society.

    Describing the presidential candidate of the party, and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi as a phenomenon, he promised to join hands with him (Obi) to reset Imo State on the path of development.

    Nwagwu who on two occasions was the acting governor of the State during his time as the speaker, believed that he is the best person to govern the state having observed how the ‘state of affairs’ of the State was been run coupled with the wave of insecurity which to him was ‘man made’ and surmountable.

  • UNICEF tasks Bayelsa govt on children’s access to nutrition, immunisation

    UNICEF tasks Bayelsa govt on children’s access to nutrition, immunisation

    The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has challenged the government of Bayelsa State on children’s nutrition, birth registrations, access to potable water, immunisation and others.

    The Officer in Charge, UNICEF, Port Harcourt Office, Dr. Anslem Audu, gave the challenge yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the dissemination of the result of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021.

    He described Bayelsa as one of its focus states and that UNICEF decided to support the dissemination of all its focal states in the National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS) to the stakeholders and policymakers to take necessary actions.

    Audu said: “We are gathered here to disseminate the data in Bayelsa because the state happens to be one of our focal states. In UNICEF, we decided on our focus state using data analysis and the data we use is multidimensional poverty level among children for UNICEF’s intervention.”

    Also speaking, Mr Peremoboere Soroh, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, reiterated that the programme, Multiple Cluster Index Survey that was carried out in the state was done across the federation.

  • Know your status, Rivers ZLP candidate urges residents

    Know your status, Rivers ZLP candidate urges residents

    Rivers State governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Leyii Kwanee, has mapped out measures his government will explore to fight HIV/AIDS if elected governor in 2023.

    Kwanee, in a statement to mark the 2022 World AIDS Day, admonished the people on the need to ascertain their status as the first step to reversing the spread of the virus.

    He expressed concern that despite the huge sum the United Nations (UN) has expended on nations and on researchers every year, no positive result has been recorded. Kwanee therefore appealed to the people to desist from illicit and unprotected sex to stay.

    The candidate listed actions his administration will take to curtail the spread of the disease.

    He said: “…to unite with the world on today’s occasion, we must as Rivers people, go all out today to encourage others to go and test for the virus to ascertain their health status.

    “Going forward, when we are elected governor and deputy next year by the grace of God and the support of Rivers people, we shall continue with our public health enlightenment policy with activities to commemorate the World AIDS Day.

    “Our government shall line up activities for our students in all tertiary institutions and senior secondary schools to reinforce HIV/AIDS awareness. We shall also send bills to the House of Assembly to institutionalise the practical steps we intend to take to ensure AIDS is driven out of our state in due course.

  • House of Reps candidate seeks unity

    House of Reps candidate seeks unity

    By Ibrahim Adam

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency, Marie Ebikake, has begged other aspirants of the party to put aside their differences and embrace peace so the party can win the election.

    Ebikake, in a statement yesterday, described her victory at the primary as a win for the party. The statement reads: “There is no victor or vanquished. This is why I am convinced that after our stormy differences, we can reunite with a renewed purpose and strength. This moment then affords us the golden opportunity to finally put our differences behind us and put the detractors to rest.

    “The detractors aim only to weaken us and put the party at a disadvantage. I call on all aggrieved party members, to all and sundry, to come together in a united front. I believe we can all work together again to achieve a stronger bond and party.

    “Our collective objective now should be to achieve real victory against the opposition. As an individual, I am nothing without your support. Let us, therefore, sheath our swords and become the one strong family we have always been.”

  • Diri has failed, says Sylva

    Diri has failed, says Sylva

    •’We’ll chase him out of Bayelsa’

     

    Minister of State for Petroleum and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has berated Governor Douye Diri for the poor infrastructure and development in the state. He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration has failed the people.

    According to Sylva, Governor Diri does not know what to do with ‘the stolen mandate in Bayelsa’.

    Also, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, said Diri’s abysmal performance has automatically chased him out of office. He insisted that the APC is set to take over Bayelsa in the next governorship election.

    Sylva and Nabena spoke yesterday at the APC presidential campaign rally in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The minister described the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the best among the candidates jostling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    He said: “Senator Bola Tinubu is very presidential. He has a track record that nobody can beat. When they asked me why I am so sure that Tinubu is the best presidential candidate, I also asked them who is contesting with him because I don’t know.”

    On the poor state of infrastructure in Bayelsa, the minister said the PDP-led administration did not prepare for governance.

    Advancing reasons why Nigerians should shun the PDP presidential candidate, Sylva said Atiku Abubakar plans to sell the NNPC if he becomes president disqualifies him from governing the country.

    “Atiku’s only mission is to sell the NNPC. He sold the other ones before, but he forgot that he didn’t sell NNPC, and he has told us he is coming back to sell it to his friends,” he added.

    Sylva also likened the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, to the unproductive Biblical servant who could not turn his one talent into two, saying governance is not about prudence alone, but also about creating opportunities.

    Nabena said they were using the outing to send a message to the Diri-led government that the state belongs to the APC.

    He added: “Our state cannot continue to suffer; we must rescue it. We are the second poorest after Sokoto. How can that be? Our location is number three or number four, so where is the money going?

    “We will deliver our presidential candidate and all the National Assembly candidates, and that will tell him it is time to run to South Africa. We will chase him out from the state.”

  • IPOB: we are freedom fighters, not kidnappers

    IPOB: we are freedom fighters, not kidnappers

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said it has nothing to do with kidnapping, contrary to claims by the Katsina State Police Command that it arrested a member of its armed militia, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Katsina.

    The police on Tuesday said it arrested David Uchenna (19), aka Ibrahim Muhammed, at Kofar Sauri Quarters in the Katsina metropolis, following a tip-off.

    A statement yesterday by IPOB Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said it has never engaged in kidnapping as such was outside their mandate.

    It reads: “The recent blackmail from the Katsina state Police Command, claiming they arrested an ESN member in their state, is demeaning of the institution they represent, haven become a willing tool for subjugation and propaganda for the government.

    “Government media propaganda and blackmail against IPOB members and ESN operatives in the east is no longer holding water, hence the need to seek other ways by exporting their blackmail to other states, thereby completely negating one of the ESN’s fundamental primary purpose of establishment. They have decided to take their usual stage-managed propaganda to the north. If it were to be possible, the government will bribe Interpol to stage one criminal or another to claim to be ESN Operative even overseas.

    “We know where they are going with this garbage, and its intention is simply to say that since ESN operates outside of Biafraland, they are therefore engaging in terror activities. We should recollect that it has been the singular and most pressing desire of this government to convince the International community to accept its deluded and delusional tagging of IPOB worldwide as a terrorist group.

    “This is simply to create a parallel to justify the murderous activities of the terrorist herdsmen who have been spreading terror, tears destruction and blood along the length and breadth of Nigeria.

    “ESN Operatives whose mandate is to protect our land and forests, as well as Biafran farmers from terrorist herdsmen, are never and will never be kidnappers.”