Category: SouthEast

Former Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo has been appointed pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University on the Niger, Anambra State.

The institution, owned by Diocese on the Niger, (Anglican Communion), and recently granted take-off license, is reportedly the only tertiary institution singlehandedly built by one Diocese in the country.

Nebo’s appointment, together with the Registrar, Mrs. Odisa Okeke, were announced by Bishop on the Niger, Rev. Owen Nwokolo, during the Trinity Ordination of the Diocese on the Niger, at All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha.

Nebo, one time Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is a Professor of Engineering. He is also an Archdeacon and Provost Emeritus in the Anglican Church, while Mrs. Okeke was former Registrar of the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, as well as former Deputy Registrar (Records and Statistics Unit), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State.

The University on the Niger is expected to take off during next academic session with four faculties – Medicine and Dentistry, Allied Health Sciences, Science and Computing and Management, and Social Sciences.

The 17 departments and degree programmes to be offered by are Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Radiography and Radiation Sciences, Nursing Sciences, Dental Therapy and Health.

Others are Information Management, Microbiology, Forensic Science, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Economic and Development Studies, Accountancy and Human Psychology.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has awarded scholarship to Miss Nkechinyere Umeh for coming out tops in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

Soludo announced the award through Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, and expressing excitement that his administration’s efforts at repositioning education were yielding the desired dividends.

Nkechinyere Umeh was declared the best by JAMB, having scored a cumulative mark of 360 in the 2023 UTME. She was offered scholarship to study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

• Abia to recover property in private possession

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has ordered heads of security agencies to flush out criminals and hoodlums threatening the peace and security of residents.

A statement by Otti’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Prince Okey Kanu, said the directives followed the rising crime in Aba, Umuahia, and environs. The governor noted that the criminal elements constitute unnecessary clog in the wheel of progress, and promised that hard time awaits such persons.

The statement reads: “The rising criminal activities in certain parts of the state have come to the knowledge of the government and security agencies. The criminals engage illegal levy collection, phone snatching, “one-chance” operations with keke, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, to the very serious kidnapping for ransom.

“Governor Otti has directed all security agencies to deal decisively with these criminals who create unnecessary fear and panic among the people. Such criminals constitute unnecessary clogs in the wheel of progress of Abia state.

“A hard time awaits all such deviants with the resumption of a new Commissioner of Police, Ken Onwuemelie, to the state. The government also calls on traditional rulers, President-Generals’ of our town unions and landlords to partner the government to ensure a crime-free Abia within their domains.  

“In line with his campaign promises, Governor Otti is poised to create jobs for our youths through funding for small and medium scale businesses and investment in private sector-led investments in industries.

“Securing our environment from criminals is a task for every Abian. Eternal vigilance, provision of information and cooperation with security agencies to flush out criminals is the patriotic duty of all Abians.”

The government yesterday set up a judicial commission of inquiry to recover government properties and fund allegedly in the possession of some individuals.

The panel is chaired by Justice Florence Duroha-Igwe (rtd). Other members are Prof. Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Fr. Alex Okonkwo.

According to a statement yesterday by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the panel’s terms of reference will be unveiled on the day of inauguration.

This is coming months after Governor Alex Otti warned appointees in the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government to return all government property still in their possession.

The Nation learnt that since the announcement, persons concerned were yet to comply with the directive.

Akwa Ibom State government has instituted a N100 million Education Intervention Fund to assist physically-challenged students of Akwa Ibom origin and other challenged students in the state.

Governor Umo Eno announced this when the National Association of Students with Disabilities, University of Uyo chapter, visited him at the Government House.

Eno said he was moved to give the students a sense of belonging to underscore the inclusion drive of his administration.

Office of the Accountant-General, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare will supervise disbursement.

The fees are paid directly to the beneficiaries’ schools and allowances given to the students after due profiling, the governor explained.

Governor Otu also warned against bureaucratic bottlenecks in the disbursement, explaining that the gesture is to encourage the beneficiaries and make life easier for them.

He added: “We have set up a fund for the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women Affairs to manage, the Accountant-General would look at it and the SSG would facilitate it.

“We will deposit N100 million into that fund immediately to support physically-challenged students in public tertiary institutions. The money is set aside for them, but the Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Education will verify that the beneficiaries are in school and pay the fees directly to their schools, then give a little upkeep allowance.

“It’s just N100 million, but we may augment it from time to time. I don’t want the bureaucratic bottleneck of them applying and there is no money, so we put the money there for you to manage and give us the report, but please let’s verify and make sure these are the right people and encourage them.

“The motive is to encourage them and make life easier for them. At least if they want to go to school, let’s pay their tuition because they are doing very well, and even better than some who are not challenged.

“All of us are challenged in one way or the other. I just want to say you are not alone, we will work with you and support you.”

The student delegation was led by the President, Comrade Emmanuel Wisdom.

The race to fill the Vice Chancellorship of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has heightened tension in the institution.

Tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, ends June 2024.

Three dons – Prof. Ike Odimegwu (Philosophy), Prof. Alex Asigbo (Theatre Arts) and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu – are already in the race. It was gathered that current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, is allegedly backing Ikechebelu.

But majority of the people are clamouring for Prof. Odimegwu, including members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Odimegwu was Chairperson of ASUU-NAU.

However, Esimone, The Nation learnt, has a soft spot for Ikechebelu, who owns one of the biggest hospitals in Awka. Ikechebelu however does not have a PhD and this may, according to some of the lecturers, work against him.

It was equally gathered authoritatively that he is already battling to acquire the degree before 2024.

A member of the Governing Council, who pleaded for anonymity, said the school would be careful this time so as to make a good choice. He also said there was no tension anywhere, adding that the institution would not allow some people carry out any evil plans in the place.

• Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

The former President General, Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, Chief (Engr.) Joe Omene, has said Chief E. K. Clark’s attack on the immediate past governor of Delta State, Sen. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa is not strange but his usual trademark known to Deltans.

Omene who spoke to newsmen in his country home in Mosogar, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State, while reacting to Chief E.K. Clark’s attack on Okowa on Arise TV, said Clark’s attack is always targeted at selected prominent individuals for political gains.

It would be recalled that Clark had recently on Arise TV attacked Okowa, calling on the operatives of the anti-graft agency, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) to invite the past governor over allegations that the latter misappropriated over N1trillion of the state funds.

He said former governors and prominent individuals like Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief James Ibori, Godsday Orubebe, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had in the past suffered similar treatment by Clark, pointing out that the recent attack on Okowa at the Arise TV is not strange to anybody, as that has been his trademark for political gains.

He reminded Chief Clark of his alleged demand for billions from a former Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs to fund his private university, and his fallout with former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite receiving substantial sums for the funding of his university

While appealing to the elder statesman Clark to embrace his role as father, Omene charged the former to emulate the likes of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), late Aminu Kano, Tafawa Balewa and Obafemi Awolowo and others.

He emphasised that, unlike Chief E.K. Clark, these leaders never resorted to violence, expressing disappointment over Clark’s incessant attacks on prominent Nigerians, saying such behaviour is inappropriate, disgraceful and unbecoming for someone of his status.

The Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petition by the Labour Party candidate for Izzi/Abakaliki federal constituency election, Emmanuel Ezeh against the election of Mr Emmanuel Uguru of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uguru of the APC had been declared winner of the said election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But Mr Eze alongside his party, LP rejected the result and headed to the tribunal.

Uguru, his party APC, INEC and the Returning Officers were all joined in the suit as respondents.

However, the tribunal dismissed the petition for failure of the petitioners to comply with the Electoral Act in the filling of their reply to the reply of all the respondents.

The court also said petitioners also failed to comply with the electoral act in the filing of the application of the pre-hearing notice.

Delivering judgement on behalf of the tribunal members, the Chairman, Justice A D Odokwo upheld the prayers of the 3rd/4th respondents (INEC/Returning Officer) in an application praying for dismissal of the case.

In the application the respondents/applicants had sought for an order dismissing the petition for failure if the petitioner applied pre-hearing notice on the respondent.

They argued that the said failure was in breach of the electoral act particularly its first schedule.

The tribunal on its judgement agreed with the applicants

It said: “The tribunal has made a finding that the reply to the applicant’s reply was filed out of time more than 29 days after the petitioner ought to have filed a reply.

“The filing for the application for pre-hearing notice on 15th of May 2023 is clearly incompetent. The 1st Respondent filed his reply on the 23rd of April 2023.

“The petitioner ought to have filed his reply within five days which expired on 27th April 2023. The petitioner’s reply was filed on 1st May, 2023, thirteen days after it ought to have been filed,” the tribunal said.

The tribunal further went on to explain that the hearing of an election petition is time bound in the sense that an election tribunal is mandated by section 285 of the constitution to deliver its judgement within 180 days from the date of filing of the petition.

“In the final analysis and for all the reasons stated above, the petitioners failed to comply with the electoral act in the filling of their reply to the reply of all the respondents and the filing of the applications of the pre-hearing notice. The petition is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo has charged newly admitted students to take advantage of various facilities in the institution to turn their potentials into skills that could be valuable and marketable.

Nwafulugo who gave the charge at the 39th matriculation ceremony held at the polytechnic auditorium also advised them to resist activities capable of distracting them from focus.

She also advised the students to choose friends that would inspire and motivate them into becoming the best.

She said, “You must remain focused to achieve your dreams. As an undergraduate, you have a responsibility to develop yourself. There are innate potentials you have. You have to look inwards to draw them out.

“The facilities we have in the institution are for your use, therefore maximize these facilities to turn your potential into a skill that could be valuable and marketable.”

The Rector further warned students against thuggery, cultism, exam malpractice and indecent dressing, stressing that the institution has zero tolerance for those vices.

She also cautioned them against taking laws into their hands when aggrieved, but to explore lawful and appropriate channels of addressing such grievances.

“In as much as you commit yourself to academic excellence, you must also make a commitment to moral rectitude and good character.

“If you have grievances avoid taking the law into your hands rather explore lawful and appropriate channels of addressing such grievances which the polytechnic management has provided.

“I promise that my administration will be there for you. We will support you and will not relent in creating a conducive environment for learning and capacity development.

“What you will become tomorrow is determined by what you are doing today. Therefore take full advantage of this opportunity, don’t misuse it. Put everything into it and it will pay off,” she added.

• They’ve exposed our community to more danger, cries monarch

Fear has enveloped Akpawfu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu following the arrest of the leaders of the community’s vigilante operatives better known as the Neighborhood Watch by the officers from the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

It was gathered that the security men, including the CSO, Chineme Amuziem Nwatu; Goddy Nnaji in charge of operation; Onyeka Nnaji, Godwin Nnaji, Monday Nnamani and Friday Nnamani,  were arrested Thursday during a routine meeting with the police at the Agbani Area Command.

The development had left the community with fear as the leaders of the community fear that the worse situation is awaiting them as the remaining security men had threatened to quit if their colleagues were not released immediately.

Akpawfu has been the operational base of bandits, who had since forced the people of the community to flee with several persons, particularly community leaders and vigilante men killed and dozens of houses burnt, while schools, churches and markets were shut for almost one year in the community.

However, the community fought back by assembling some of their youths, who volunteered to work as vigilante men, by helping the army and other security agencies to fish out the bandits.

While normalcy started returning to the community, the villagers were hit with the news of the arrest of the vigilante men by the operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Abuja during a routine meeting with the police at the Area Command, Agbani.

Expressing the concerns of the people of the community, the traditional ruler of Ajame Ameze Akpawfu Autonomous  Community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani said he and the people of the community were shocked at the news of the arrest of the security men by the police even without any information as to offence committed by them.

According to him, the security men had the recognition of the state government and the various security agencies in the state.

He expressed the fears that the little gains the community and the army had so far made might be disrupted with the arrest of the security men.

This he said was because “immediately after the news of their arrest filtered in, a minibus filled with men came to the operational base of the security men in the village, shouting their names and making the usual threats. So, we’re completely not at ease over the arrest because we don’t know what will happen next now that they have disorganized the local security in the village.”

The monarch narrated the incident thus: “We have been facing serious security challenges in the past two years, but the event of Thursday, June 22 made me shed tears. This is because as we are recovering from the insecurity situation in Akpawfu following the introduction of vigilante operatives, the situation started calming down with government security being able to have access to our community once again, culminating in the army finally settling in Akpawfu.

“So, after the army had settled in our place, they invited me and we took them round the villages, appealing to our people to inform their fleeing families that peace is returning. I also called on my people who have fled their homes to return home. Our security outfit that helped to return the peace is working with the army and police. The Divisional Police Officer of Nkanu East, had scheduled a meeting with our vigilante men today, Friday June 23, ahead of the final peace meeting in the community on Saturday, June 24.

The Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has raised the alarm over the menacing presence of security operatives who have laid siege in their kingdom.

The Chairman Opu-Nembe Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Chief Ezekiel Samuel Teigbenyo-Ikoli, in a statement yesterday informed the Federal Government and the Bayelsa State government that the peaceful people of Opu-Nembe were currently facing a grave situation.

He claimed that the military personnel had invaded the community following directives by a former minister and his cohorts that had been terrorising the kingdom because of their closeness to the federal authorities.

He stated that the development came days after the community received credible intelligence reports of another imminent attack on the Opu-Nembe kingdom in order to cause chaos and mayhem in the area.

Recall that in the community’s last press conference held on May 18, 2023, the Council of Chiefs named the alleged sponsors and actors involved in the dastardly attacks.

Teigbenyo-Ikoli said that the former minister was the person shielding the perpetrators of the dastardly act from being arrested by the security operatives.

He claimed: “The military men descended upon Opu-Nembe earlier today (Friday) creating a scene of fear, chaos and confusion as armoured vehicles and armed soldiers patrolled round the kingdom and searched houses, causing distress among the people.

“The invasion has disrupted the daily lives of the community’s residents, leaving them feeling vulnerable and unsafe within their own homes.

“This unwarranted military presence threatens the core values of the peace loving people of Opu-Nembe. It is imperative that immediate action be taken to address the concerns of our people and restore the tranquility they once enjoyed.”

Teigbenyo-Ikoli called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Bayelsa State government as well as other relevant authorities to intervene swiftly and ensure the protection of the Opu-Nembe Kingdom from any forms of attack as it was their rights to live in peace and be secured by the security agencies.

He noted: “We, the people of Opu-Nembe kingdom, deserve to live without fear, with our fundamental rights protected. Thus, we appeal for a swift end to this distressing situation and restore the harmony that the kingdom so deeply cherishes.”