The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Stakeholders want Adighije in RMFAC board

    A Stakeholders from the three senatorial zones of Abia State have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to re-appoint Senator Chris Adighije as the member representing the state at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

    The stakeholders, including a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Ukasoanya, Senator Onyeka Okoroafor, Abia North and Hon. Ngozi Ulunwa, Abia South, said re-appointing Adighije will give the state quality representation.

    The group said Senator Adighije has done well since during the period he has represented the state at the commission, stressing that his record of achievements has helped to boost the image of the state.

    The appeal was part of the resolutions of a one-day meeting of the stakeholders held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital where they said the re-appointment of Adighije was not subject to discussion or a zonal matter.

    Highlighting his achievements to include bringing positive changes to the state in line with the change mantra of the present administration, they stakeholders said re-appointing him would bring more development to the state.

    Reacting, the Abia State Government stated that the nomination and recommendation of its representative at the RMFAC is and remains the prerogative of the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Godwin Adindu said the governor has not nominated anyone to represent the state in the board of RMFAC.

    The statement added that the governor will nominate and recommend a representative at the appropriate time. He said nobody should pre-empt or prompt him to do things at the wrong time.

    The statement reads: “Nobody  or group should make any claim in this regard and purporting it to have the seal of the Abia State Government, as the governor has not nominated anyone for the job.

    “This clarification has become necessary given a media report which alleged that some unnamed and faceless political stakeholders from the three political zones have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the re-appointment of Senator Chris Adighije as the state’s representative  at the RMFAC.

    “The governor has not given any support or endorsement to any political group or the so-called ‘political stakeholders’ to speak on his behalf on this matter. The government is not aware of any forum convened to make representation for Adighije for his re-appointment.

    “This report is a ruse and a contraption aimed at positioning Senator Adighije for a position where the candidate is only but an ambassador of the state and therefore must emerge as an endorsement of the state.”

  • Anambra gets c as babies of the year

    Anambra gets c as babies of the year

    For the first time in the history of Anambra State, there is a set of triplets to celebrate the traditional baby of the year. NWANOSIKE ONU reports that the wife of the governor, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, was excited to receive the triplets, describing their birth as a sign of good things to come to both the state and the family.

    There were still fireworks to herald the New Year when an expectant mother, Mrs. Chioma Nwankwo arrived at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka, Anambra State at exactly 11:35 p.m. on December 31.

    She visited the hospital to be delivered of her baby. Though she was aware that she had more than one baby in her womb, she had no inkling that she would be delivered of a set of triplet.

    At exactly 12 a.m. on January 1, the first male child was delivered. It was a good omen of the New Year for both the family and the state.

    As she was still writhing in pains after the first baby was born, the second baby arrived at 1:15 a.m., while the 3rd was delivered at 1:50 a.m.

    Unfortunately, one of the set of triplet died few minutes after it was delivered, an incident one of the nurses described as the will of God.

    Following the news of the early morning delivery of the triplet on the New Year’s Day; the first of its kind in the state as babies of the year, the wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano hurried to the hospital.

    Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, Mrs Obiano told Southeast Report that it was a sign of good things which the state would experience this year.

    Mrs. Obiano said: “This is the best New Year gift to Ndi-Anambra because it signifies a New Year of bountiful harvest and progress for all.

    “Triplets are wonderful to behold. Though I was told we lost one of them after it was delivered, they come with good tidings to our people. The birth of three male children at this period when resources are scarce shows the state is blessed.

    “They have come to rekindle our hope and belief that God will always provide our needs. I have no doubt that our state will continue to prosper under Governor Willie Obiano.”

    She, however, advised the mother of the babies which she described as bundle of joy to the state and the community to hold on to her faith in God who ensured her safe delivery.

    One of the registered nurses and midwives in the maternity ward, Mrs. Rita Ifeka, told Southeast Report that the expectant mother arrived at the hospital at exactly 11:35 p.m.

    She also confirmed that the two surviving babies weighed 1.3 and 1.35 kilograms respectively and were in stable condition.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Victoria Chikwelu, told Southeast Report that it was the first time the state was recording triplets as babies of the year.

    This, according to her, was a sign of good things ahead, adding that the delivery of the triplets also qualifies the mother for a special award later this year.

    Beaming with smiles, the mother of the triplets, Mrs. Nwankwo, who hails from Arondizogu in Imo State but resides in Awka, thanked Mrs Obiano for the visit and gifts.

    She told Southeast Report that she and members of her family are joyful and thankful to God Almighty for blessing them with the triplet, even though she wished none died. She prayed that God should replenish the resources of the Obianos and that of the state for the gift items donated to her family.

  • Group seeks women’s input in community agenda

    A group, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEH-RD), has canvassed for women’s  participation in oil community agenda because they suffer more from environmental despoilation.

    This is contained in a commu-niqué issued by CEHRD, civil society organisations and the media at the end of a forum on “Human Rights and the Environment in the Niger Delta” held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The forum, which was orgainsed by CEHRD with the theme “Feeling the Pulse of Communities: Oil Corporations and Human Rights Violations in the Niger Delta” also resolved that women are the integral part of society and therefore their interests must be protected, especially as they are the most impacted by oil activities.

    In the communiqué signed on behalf of the group by the Head of Governance, CEHRD Mr. Lawrence, it was also advocated that women be included in community decision-making and constitution drafting for elections to be democratic.

    While advising that communities be sensitised to the rights of women, the forum also urged women to be more organised.

    The forum also stated that for there to be a harmonious working relationship between the oil companies, regulatory agencies and oil communities, the “Petroleum Industry Bill should be passed into law in order to give NOSDRA the needed muscle to do its work.”

    Oil-impacted communities were also advised to begin to look beyond the usual corporate social responsibility projects such as roads, schools, scholarships and demand equity shares in in-coming oil companies to their areas.

    While urging civil society organisations to sensitise communities for awareness on the divestments springing up in the region, the media was enjoined to “inform the public on divestment, protect public interest and work with civil society to enthrone respect for human rights and environment in the Niger Delta.”

  • Abia repairs roads

    Abia repairs roads

    As part of efforts to ensure that residents of Abia State and visitors expected to be in Aba and other parts of the state for commercial and leisure activities had a smooth ride on roads during and after the festive period, Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Works, has launched a road rehabilitation programme code named “Operation Zero Potholes on Abia Roads”.

    Recall that road users in Aba have been lamenting over the deplorable condition of state and federal roads in Aba, which they said, have caused many car owners to abandon their cars at home for commercial buses as they could no longer afford the frequent breakdown and cost of repairing their cars.

    In a chat with reporters at Eziukwu Road, Aba, venue of the inauguration exercise, Commissioner for Works, Mr. Eziuche Ubani revealed that the essence of the campaign was to ensure that residents of Aba and visitors using Abia roads at this festive period would heave a sigh of relief.

    According to Ubani, the road repair when completed would also help in reducing the traffic jam that motorists usually witnessed on major roads in Aba, especially during this festive period when human and vehicular movements would be on the increase.

    He reeled off some of the roads to be rehabilitated to include Hospital Road, St. Michaels, Jubilee; Bata to Brass Junction whose state is so bad for a very long time.

    Other roads include School Road, the whole of East, Queens’s road, St. Joseph’s Street, Cameroun Road, Okwunuka Street, Pound Road, York, Asa by Ngwa Road. Milverton, Georges, Eziukwu (up to Cemetery Market), Afikpo, Asa to Eziukwu Road and Umuahia-Ohafia Road.

    The commissioner also said work would soon begin on roads in Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Districts, stressing that it was the desire of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu-led administration to ensure that residents, visitors and Abians in the Diaspora who were expected to be in the state during the Yuletide would enjoy their Christmas celebration.

    “It is called “operation zero pothole” on major roads in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state because we have had issues with traffic because of the potholes on most of the roads.

    “We have been reconstructing some roads in Abia South, Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial zones but we want to repair some of these roads that are in terrible condition so that we can avoid the gridlock we have been experiencing in the past one year because of potholes.

    “What we want to achieve is to save some of the roads that have not failed completely while reconstruction works are ongoing on the ones that have failed totally. So, the Eziukwu is one of the roads that we are going to work on and we are also going to do that on a number of roads in Aba and Umuahia.

    “There is a de-silting component of this programme. We have the people who will do de-silting of drains right here. We have engaged them too. The de-silting of the drains will precede the construction work. So, they are working with the contractors.

    “We hope to have a better job than what we have in the past. I need to tell you that the kind of efforts that we are making has not been done in the past. This is pure reconstruction. The contractor is going to find out why this place keeps flooding and that is the essence of the programme.

    “What we have done as a departure from the past is that we get contractors to fix the road and fix them properly instead of giving it to individuals and after about three months, the roads become unusable again.

    “So, we want to see that we permanently repaired and rehabilitated those roads. We will restore the road architecture; when we through with that, we will mark them properly and put streetlights so that, from the onset of the rainy season, the people will have very good roads to drive on.

    “We also want to ensure that by the time the rainy season returns, we will not have the kind of gridlock caused by potholes on major roads such as Eziukwu, Azikiwe, East and other parts of the commercial city as the case may be. So, that is why we are here.”

  • Umahi inaugurates roads in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, has inaugurated the construction of three major roads in the three senatorial zones.

    The roads include the 23.7km Hilltop- Nwofe and the 15.5km Nkalagu/Ehamufu Roads awarded to China Zunghaoi Limited as well as the 23.5 km Amasiri/Okposi/Uburu Road awarded to CONROCK Nigeria Limited.

    Governor Umahi informed the people who gathered at the Hilltop Field in Abakaliki that the commencement of work on the Hilltop-Nwofe Road was a dream fulfilled.

    He added that the reconstruction of the road was underscored by the overwhelming support and solidarity he received from Izzi people during the governorship election.

    Recalling that the road had suffered many years of neglect, he noted that his decision to award the contract was also informed by the massive support from the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, who is an Izzi man.

    The Governor, who directed that work must go on simultaneously from the two ends of the road, directed that three civil engineers from the local government areas where the road traversed must be part of the teams that would supervise the construction of the roads.

    According to him, the engineers would garner more experience from the contractors to enable them to benefit from projects that would be awarded in future by his administration.

    At Nkalagu, the Governor described the Nkalagu-Ehamufu Road which last received government’s attention almost six decades ago as not only important to Ebonyi State but also to the entire Igbo race.

    He revealed that negotiation had reached advanced stage for Ibeto Cement Company to take over and revitalise NIGERCEM Cement Factory in Nkalagu to regain its glory.

    “By inaugurating the road construction, it is no longer hidden that Ibeto would revitalise NIGERCEM. We must have concluded with Ibeto to ensure that the rights of our communities, local and state governments are protected,” he added.

    At Amasiri Junction where he described the gathering as being akin to a political rally, the governor announced plans to construct Effium-Agba-Ohoffia Road, Ntezi-Isu Road and Ebwona Road next year.

    He said the Amasiri-Okposi-Uburu Road was important because it also links Ebonyi State with Enugu State.

    Governor Umahi directed local government chairmen and coordinators of development centres whose areas are linked to the roads to monitor the progress of work by the contractors.

    He said: “There is no project started by this administration that will be stopped. They have their money. Where our money stopped, they continue with their money and we will be paying. It is in the agreement. I will give you a road built on concrete that will last for 50 years.”

    The Commissioner for Works, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, observed that the Hilltop-Nwofe Road had never received attention since the inception of old Eastern Region.

    Meanwhile, progress is being recorded on the Abakaliki-Afikpo Road. This followed the outcry from road users who ply the federal road.

     

  • 50 countries for Aba gospel crusade

    Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State would, from January 4 to 9 2016 host renowned gospel preachers in Nigeria and Christian participants from over 50 countries in Africa and the world who would be coming into the town for a mega crusade.

    The crusade, according to its organisers; Ministers Prayer Network International, would take place at their camp ground located on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway opposite 144, Army Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area.

    Bishop Mossy Madugba, the convener in a press briefing with journalists at the Christian Pentecostal Mission Church, Rivers Lane, off Eziukwu Road said the event entitled “Global Mega Prayer Quake” would be attracting renowned preachers such as Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai, Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta Province, Ugochukwu Uwaoma Ezuoke and Anglican Bishop of Aba Ngwa Diocese, Nathan Kanu, among other great men of God that would be ministering.

    Speaking on the effect of the revival on the participants, the city and Abia State, Madugba said: “It will bring reconciliations in homes. It will bring healings to the sick and the oppressed. Light will come into the midst of darkness and I am expecting all these things to begin to happen as a result of the gatherings that we will be having in January at Asa.”

    Continuing, he added: “Hundred and two years ago, there were three different prophetic words from a man called William Seamore, Charles Parham and a woman called Maria Woodworth Eta; that there would be a great revival that will help transform society and prepare the church for what God wants her to do.

    “We haven’t seen the revival and we have read from the books that revivals don’t just happen. They happen when people come together and begin to seek God. So, I came here to meet with the church in Aba to encourage them to seek God. Who knows whether we can have that prophesied revival start in Aba?

    “Aba is in the East and people from the East are forerunners. When Jesus was born, the three wise men came from the East. The three men that came with gold, frankincense and myrrh were from the East. And the totality of the leadership of the church in Aba seems to have embraced the idea and have decided to host a major revival event, trusting God that that prophecy will be fulfilled in our day and in the city of Aba.

    “Aba has had a history of revival in the 70s immediately after the civil war. There was this awakening in Aba where people really came to God with pure hearts to serve God and missionaries. Evangelists and gospel crusaders went out from Aba to every part of Nigeria. Periodically, we need meetings such as this to revive and restore the spirit of those that have backslidden.

    “But we have not had awakening for so long; so the spiritual man has grown weak. That is why it seems as if sin reigns even in the church which is more like just a meeting place. But we believe that when a revival breaks out, there is going to be awakening of the spirit man and which will over power the influence and insinuations of the flesh. Nobody will have appetite for sin and evil doing.”

    While assuring that arrangements have been concluded to take care of participants’ accommodation and security of lives, he appealed to the state and the Federal Government to fix the dilapidated Enugu-Aba, Aba-Port Harcourt and Ikot-Ekpene-Aba expressways, stressing that if the roads where not properly fixed before the crusade begins, it would create bad impression about the state and the country in general.

  • Obiano’s wife donates food items to the needy

    Obiano’s wife donates food items to the needy

    Wife of Anambra State Governor and founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has begun distribution of items to widows, orphans and some less-privileged persons.

    The distribution of rice and money for soup condiments to beneficiaries across the 177 communities in the state according to her was part of her community tours which kicked off at Ayamelum and Anambra East, Oyi and Dunukofia council areas.

    She addressed the crowd which comprised beneficiaries from the various communities and members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the respective council areas at St Joseph’s Field, Anaku, Ayamelum and Otuocha, Anambra East.

    She said she came to ensure that indigent women, widows and orphans in the communities do not have a bleak Christmas.

    Other items donated to the beneficiaries to enable to celebrate the Christmas included bags of fertiliser, cassava stocks, hundreds of bags of rice plus N3, 000 each to 20 women and widows, school bags and writing materials, among others.

    Mrs. Obiano thanked the women and members of the community for turning out en masse to welcome her, assuring that she would continue to train and empower the people in order to be self-reliant.

    She challenged those who wanted to be empowered to identify and register with her NGO in order to benefit from the empowerment and training programmes organised from time to time.

    She noted that the gesture was made possible through the support and donations of philanthropists and well-meaning persons to her pet project, CAFÉ.

    She stressed that her efforts were targeted at supporting the good governance of her husband, Chief Willie Obiano.

    Describing her husband as an action governor, Mrs. Obiano informed the people that old people in the state were being paid stipends monthly despite the lean resources of the state government.

    In his remarks, former chairman of local government area and State Secretary APGA, Mr. Tony Ifeanya thanked Mrs. Obiano for empowering the people of his area, even as he commended Governor Obiano for attracting Coached Farms to Anaku.

  • Varsity inducts 118 doctors

    To ensure it makes a huge contribution to the realisation of Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goal in the health sector by 2020, the Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) inducted 118 young medical doctors into the health sector.

    Inducting the medical graduates before a capacity audience on the campus, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. Abdulmumini Ibrahim, urged them to practice within the limit of their competence and shun indulging in sharp practices in order to make quick money.

    Ibrahim warned the doctors not to be in a hurry to establish clinics or hospitals and never to tout or canvass for patients or be involved in fee splitting. He also added that those bad conducts are usually common temptations which young Nigerian doctors are faced with.

    He said: “As you take the physicians’ oath today and issued with your licences to practise, I implore you all to imbibe the culture of best practices and conducts throughout your practice to safeguard the lives of patients and maintain the integrity of our noble profession.”

    The Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University, Prof. Uche Nwagha told the large crowd that the young medical doctors of the 2015 class, had been equipped with one of the finest degrees in medicine available anywhere in the world as the faculty had the obligation to educate them in the various convoluted and sophisticated ways of modern medical training.

    Nwagha, who expressed deep regret on the sudden death of one their students recently, said throughout their period of study, lecturers in the faculty had worked untiringly to mentor a sense of mastery so that medicine might feel, in your hands, comprehensible, familiar and responsive.

    He continued: “Our teachers have transferred to you their appetite for medicine and research, and in the progression, they have persistently transformed the horizons in which you shall cruise into your life. They have armed you copiously with medical armaments and charging you to go into the world and begin to heal.”

    While praying for the young graduates to become world-class healers and great leaders in their chosen field, the Dean stated that, as they watched them from afar, they should never forget them but should remember to come back and sow a seed in the faculty of their Alma mater.

    Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and traditional ruler of Amaofuo, in Imo State, Prof. Peter Ebigbo, expressed satisfaction with the rapid progress of the college of medicine since its inception, pointing out that the performance of the doctors produced by the medical school had given great joy to the founding fathers of the University of Nigeria.

    He also praised the ingenuity and personal commitment of the Provost, Prof. Ernest Onwuasigwe to move the college forward.

    The guest lecturer, Dr. Ejike Orji had called for better funding of the health sector and advised sick medical doctors to always seek the services of their colleagues for treatment.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, had revealed that three new institutes had been established within his one-year of administration while 230 research groups had been set up as part of aggressive measures to boost learning in the institution.

    Prof. Ozumba expressed joy that since his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor last year, UNN’s ranking had improved massively and was now only standing behind the University of Ibadan (UI), even as he vowed to move the school to number one within the shortest possible time.

    He also promised to complete the seven-storey building complex of the UNN medical school within his tenure, stressing that new staff had been injected into key areas to enhance learning.

    The Vice-Chancellor praised the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Nwagha for his managerial ingenuity and leadership style; describing him as a pride of the College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria.

    The Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe, former Dean Faculty of Dentistry, UNN, Dr. Linda Oge Okoye, Dr. Tunde Omotowo and doyen of Paediatric Medicine, Prof. Gilbert Adimora, were among personalities who attended the event.

     

  • Road projects: Hope as contractors give delivery deadline

    Road projects: Hope as contractors give delivery deadline

    Members of Abia State House of Assembly undertook an unscheduled tour of areas in Aba where construction works are ongoing. SUNNY NWANKWO reports that the lawmakers embarked on the tour to  have firsthand information about the quality of job done by contractors.  

    When Okezie Victor Ikpeazu assumed office as the Governor of Abia State, he promised to construct roads where there are none and rehabilitate delapidated ones. He kept his promise by awarding contracts for the construction of various roads in Aba and other parts of the state.

    To effect this, he had approached the State House of Assembly to approve N10 billion  outside the N14.152 billion bailout fund from the Federal Government to states to enable him to fix the bad roads. The House approved the governor’s request because, according to it, the fund would enhance the state of infrastructure across the three senatorial districts namely Abia North, Abia South and Abia Central respectively.

    However, to ensure that the fund was judiciously used for the purpose it was meant, the state lawmakers, led by their Speaker, Martins Azubuike paid an unscheduled visit to some of the road construction sites in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State in order to have firsthand information and assess the level of work done by the contractors handling the projects.

    Some of the project sites visited were Owerri Road off Okigwe Road, Weeks Street off Asa Road, Obikabia-Umuola Road and Umuola-Ukaegbu-Opobo Junction, among others.

    The contractors handling the various projects assured the state government and residents that they would complete most ongoing construction works this month.

    They said the deadline was achievable if they could get the necessary support and assistance from government and residents living around the sites.

    One of the contractors, Mr. Jack Mallous of Mallous Nigeria Limited who spoke at his construction site said they were using the cement technology to replicate what is obtainable in the United States. He added that the jobs, when completed, would last more than 20 years going by the quality of materials used.

    Another contractor, Mr. Mba of Mc Caumsons Construction Company revealed that the roads, when completed, would have side walks for pedestrian and streetlights on both sides of the road. He stated that the roads, when completed, would solve the problem of gridlock that is usually witnessed on major roads in the city.

    Responding, Hon. Azubuike commended Governor Ikpeazu for his efforts in rehabilitating roads in Aba and using the new cement technology which he said would ensure that the roads last longer.

    Hon. Azubuike noted that the construction of roads in Aba and other parts of the state was in fulfilment of Governor Ikpeazu’s promises to the people during his electioneering campaigns. He adding that the governor’s commitment to solving infrastructural problems in Abia was a clear manifestation that the Governor has the interest of the people at heart.

    Describing Aba as the hub of commercial activities in Abia State in particular and the Southeast in general, the Speaker said the commercial town deserved nothing less, promising that before the tenure of the present administration elapses, an appreciable impact would have been made in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.

    He said it is government’s plan that all reconstructed roads must have good drainage system, work ways and streetlights. He urged the contractors to ensure that government’s dream came through by delivering the jobs according to specifications and on time too.

    He appealed to residents to cooperate with the contractors in order to meet their deadline by ensuring that they avoided anything that would impede the speed at which the contractors were executing the projects. He assured the contractors of the legislators’ support.

    Some of the residents who spoke at Weeks Road and other parts of the city commended the gesture, stating that this was the first time any government in the state was showing commitment towards delivering quality road.

    However, some residents lamented the snail pace of work by some of the contractors. They called on members of the House to make their visit regular. This, they said, would put the contractors be serious in the execution of the jobs as well as make them deliver the jobs as scheduled. They pleaded with the lawmakers to provide them with the necessary funds to make them work proficiently.

    Meanwhile, Governor Ikpeazu has said he is steadfast in his promise to deliver dividends of democracy in the area of infrastructural development in order to boost the economy of the state.

    Ikpeazu, who stated this while inspecting ongoing projects in Aba, urged the contractors to ensure they delivered quality jobs with good drainage systems which would stand the test of time. He stressed that with the cement pavement technology used in constructing the roads, they would outlive his administration.

    While inspecting ongoing road projects at Ehere, Echefu, Umuola, Emelogu and Kamalu roads, the Governor revealed that work would soon begin on the dilapidated portion on St. Michaels, Hospital and Jubilee roads and Old Court Road.

    He said: “The over-riding import is service; we are desperate to provide service for the people of Abia State. We will continue to do it as the funds are available. It is better we die serving Abia people. So, what are we keeping the money for? If money is available, we will use it to serve the people.

    “Funding is not a barrier. The prayers of the people of Abia State will find the funds for us to do what we want to do. We are in government to serve the people. Remember that I said I was going to be common governor for the common people.

    “We have been working from day one, but you can agree with me that we have more rains than we had in the years past. After the first 100 days, we have completed part of these roads. As at that time, we found it difficult to continue to operate at that speed because the rains were coming in torrents. But with this window of dry season, our ambition is to make sure that out of the 45 roads we are doing in Abia, we intend to be home and dry with between 15 and 20 roads; God helping us.”

    Continuing, he said: “We are pioneering the cement pavement technology around this part of Nigeria. Our desire to do this is informed by the fact that we need to do roads that will last at least 20 years. I am satisfied with the materials they are using to reinforce the concrete before asphalting.

    Cement pavement technology will be the minimum standard of roads we are going to construct. As far as our resources can take us, we will try to do that.

     

  • Academic integrity dominates experts’ talks

    The 1,500 capacity Alex Ekwueme Auditorium at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, was filled to its capacity with guests from over 20 polytechnics in the Southeast and South-south regions.

    The gathering aimed at restoring academic integrity and quality through the Computer-based Testing (CBT) system in schools.

    The event brought together intellectuals from the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to brainstorm on the way forward.

    Four traditional rulers namely Igwe R.N. Offor of Omogho, Igwe Chika Ochime of Ufuma, Igwe Onyeneke of Ekwulobia and Igwe C.O. Okeke of Amaokpala and men of the Department of State Service (DSS) were in attendance.

    In her remarks, Mrs. Helen Oduntan, who represented the expanded management of the institution reminded the institutions of the need to get the country’s education sector right.

    Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology and former Deputy Governor in the state, Prince Chinedu Emeka, said the state would always partner with the Federal Polytechnic Oko. He also said that both share the same vision on CBT.

    In his remarks, Igwe Ochime advised students to shun any urge from anyone not to embrace CBT.

    He noted that the institution had witnessed tremendous transformation in the last few years, stating that without the support of the students and management of the institution, it wouldn’t have been possible.

    In his address, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Dr. Mass’udu Adamu Kazaure lamented that unethical practices had bedeviled and negatively affected the fortunes of the education sector.

    This, according to him, had adversely affected the quality of graduates that are churned out of higher institutions, despite several measures adopted to curb the development.

    Kazuare said this is noticed especially in enrollment and output of graduates of our tertiary institutions. From all indications, however, it will appear as if the measures have little or no effects in curbing it.

    “This workshop is therefore organised to introduce participants to one of the  important measures, developed by JAMB to minimise unethical practices in the admissions process in our higher institutions, and that is the computer-based test (CBT) system,” he said.

    For Prof. Shola Akinrinade of the  ICPC, the time to get it right in the education system was now with the current change mantra.

    He listed some corrupt practices identified in relation to include admissions, enrollment and registration as non–adherence to approved carrying capacity as set by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    He also said political interference in the admission process is a major reason some more qualified candidates who have no godfathers were marginalised.

    In his address, the Rector of the institution, Prof. Godwin Onu  noted that the most virulent challenge being experienced by the CBT was the opposition by some lecturers who, he said, were beneficiaries of the old order.

    He said some of their arguments were that the system would strip them of their responsibilities and negates practical-orientated courses.

    However, Onu said that CBT would make the work of the lecturers easier, while appealing to all the schools to embrace the system.

    “For some time now, there have been hues and cries about falling standard of education and the attendant unethical practices in teaching and learning as well as examination administration.

    “These have attracted a lot of criticisms and condemnations. The sector is being challenged to reposition and provide quality and functional education that meets the needs and aspirations of the 21st Century society.

    “The computer-based testing system is one of the ways of addressing these challenges and repositioning the sector in the right direction. This is because the system has built-in mechanisms designed to restore academic integrity and engender quality assurance,” Onu said.

    Also John Okonkwo, who represented JAMB Registrar Prof. Ojerinde, delivered a second paper on the day entitled “Restoring Academic Integrity Using CBT.”