The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • New vision for varsity

    How do you make a great institution greater? For Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, new Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, it is consulting the various segments of the university community, understanding the problems and coming up with the solution. That is what Ozumba has been doing since his appointment on June 6.

    It was therefore, in continuation of this exercise, that he launched his visionary and strategic action plan with stakeholders to make the great UNN even greater in education, research, scholarship and human capital development.

    Because it was the first of its kind in the institution’s 54-year old history, the 3,000 capacity princess Alexandria Auditorium, venue of the event, was filled, with thousands outside.

    The large turn-out at the occasion by friends of the university, the alumni, patriots in the pursuit of academic excellence, all categories of academic and administrative staff, union leaders and students, despite the fact that the institution was not in session, did not come as a surprise. It was indeed a demonstration of solidarity to the new administration, which was quickly applauded by the VC and his three deputies. Apart from immediate members of the university community, the ceremony attracted captains of industry, traditional rulers, university administrators from within and outside the country.

    Prominent among them were former Senate president, Ken Nnamani, represented by Prof. Steven Dike, famous Catholic priest Prof Obiora Ike, new provost of the College of Medicine, Enugu-Campus of UNN, Prof.  Ernest Onwasigwe, the deputy president Enugu- Chamber of commerce, Rev. Ugo Chime, the doyen of economist,  Prof. Hyacinth Eme Ichoku of the University of Nigeria and Mr. Chinedu Onu. Former deans of Faculty of Health Sciences and technology Enugu- campus of UNN, Professors Obinna Onwujekwe and Ngozi Onyemelukwe and renowned radiologist Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, the Director Public Relations Unn,Mr. Omeaku, Dr. Sam Ibeneme and Dr. Bond Anyaehie, both of the College of Medicine, UNN, as well as doyen of law, Dr. Edith Nwosu.

    In his inaugural speech, the vice chancellor, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, said that his ideas of transforming the university to a 21st century institution were in the conception of the stakeholders, especially the principal officers of UNN, who had so happily identified with the strategic and roadmap vision of his administration. He made it clear that for the first time, the University was organizing an all-inclusive visioning/strategic planning session involving all stakeholders to produce a master plan that will be consistent with the vice chancellors dream.

    The Vice Chancellor explained that the aim of the strategic action plan was to stimulate the requisite change and become the nucleus of the matter and manner of his transformation initiative, hence, the plan would stand as a veritable contract between the university and its various stakeholders in the march to excellence in all its ramifications.

    According to Prof. Ozumba, “without sounding pedantic, I want to reflect on the meeting point between my administration and the evolution of the University of Nigeria. Before establishing the university, Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe had ruminated on the modalities for the establishment of an institution that would be unique in all respects. Before applying for the post of vice chancellor of this great institution, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, had cogitated on the problems of the university to ensure that, through the authority of the Almighty God, he will delve into the solution to these problems if he becomes the vice chancellor.”

    He continued: this all-inclusive visioning/strategic planning session is the brain child of the periods of rumination, cogitation and browsing. As psychologists say, our character is basically a composite of our habits because our character traits are consistent with our unconscious patterns of thought.

    Ozumba re-stated that his vision for UNN was to create a leading operational academic centre of learning with a global standard, adding that it should be the university that will see excellence in the eyes of the great philosopher, Socrates, as a habit and not an act.

    “In a nutshell therefore, the university should under my administration, offer quality academic and professional programs, develop a student- centred, intellectually stimulating and technologically advanced teaching, learning and research environment and serve as an intellectual and cultural centre for the promotion of new ideas.”

    On how to fund this gigantic vision, the university administrator noted that for this innovative spectacle to mature into fruition, his administration would not rely entirely on government, but would embark on an aggressive internally generated revenue base with mechanized farming as area of focus, even as he indicated that emphasis would not be on school fees.

    Earlier in a key note lecture, former senate president, Ken Nnamani, charged authorities of the University of Nigeria to re-invent those rare values that made the institution the envy of many in education, medicine and research in the early 70s.

    Steven Dike, who represented Senator Ken Nnamani, recalled that after damaging his eyes in an accident in 1974, after surgery and sight restored at UNTH, surgeons at the United States of America where he had gone for follow up, expressed surprise that such world class surgery was done in Nigeria.

    “The most important asset Nigeria has is human capital and UNN has been richly blessed in several ways, but has seen trust betrayed of late, UNTH should not only maintain that standard but improve on it, he further remarked.

    He continued: to have all stakeholders of UNN gathered here today to move the institution forward means there is a renewed spirit under the leadership of Ozumba, we will get there, and collectivism is the only option.

    Also speaking, the national president of the UNN Alumni Association, represented by Dr. Florence Orabueze, carpeted the immediate past administration, saying that workers and students were in tears during the period. She said that God gave them Prof. Ozumba, as new VC, after they had declared prayers asking for a messiah to come and heal their wounds and reassured the VC of their support.

  • Orji inaugurates projects

    Orji inaugurates projects

    Abia State Governor  Theodore Orji has started inaugurating some of the legacy projects completed by his administration.

    Among the projects he flagged off are the Umuahia Bus Terminal along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway and the 1.5km ring-road at the Ohiya/Nsukwe Mechanic, Spare Parts and Allied Products Market.

    Governor Orji said the Umuahia bus terminal will help decongest the city as all buses will take off and return to the terminal daily, while there is hope the area in which the terminal is located will open up the state capital.

    He said that the bus terminal is designed to provide a central motor park and commended the contractor who handled the project for completing it on time. He stressed that it is part of his promise to the people of the state.

    In his speech at the Ohiya mechanic village, the governor said that government after relocating the mechanic and spare parts dealers had to provide them with the basic amenities including water and access road.

    Orji pointed out that all the internal roads in the market were built by the Ministry of Works and stated that the new market, which is better than the former one, has brought further development to Umuahia. He appealed to the traders to have confidence in the government.

    In his speech, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Elder Godwin Nna, appealed to all transport companies that converted residential buildings to motor parks to relocate to the bus terminal before the illegal motor parks are sealed off.

    The chairman, Ohiya Mechanic Village, Mr Aham Agoha thanked the governor for relocating them to a better place and creating a comfortable environment for them to do their business and pledged their support to his government.

    Governor Orji said the essence of providing model schools for pupils and students in the state is to give them a sense of belonging. He said this while commissioning the Ndume Otuka and Afugiri Model Primary Schools in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

    He said that education remains a priority in his government while government has provided a conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state, adding that one model school is located in each of the 17 local government areas in the state apart from other schools being refurbished by his government to enhance the quality of education.

    He said that the model schools are equipped with desks and chairs for pupils and teachers, borehole, generating set, modern library among others, pointing out that Abia students and pupils have done the state proud at various fora, adding that no resource spent in education will be counted as a waste.

    Earlier, the Local Government Area Sure-P chairman, Chief Joseph Ogwo said the two model schools are among the many built by Sure-P and scattered in the 17 council areas of the state.

    He pointed out that Sure-P has also constructed 100-bed hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state.

  • ‘Abia APC chiefs won’t defect to other parties’

    ‘Abia APC chiefs won’t defect to other parties’

    Is it true that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State are defecting to other parties to be relevant?

    No, said Rt. Hon Stanley Ohajuruka, a former Speaker in the state House of Assembly, and a chieftain of the APC. In fact, he added, APC chiefs in the state do not need to leave the party in order to be in reckoning.

    Such rumours were rife in the state last week but the ex-Speaker has waved them away.

    Ohajuruka who spoke with our reporter in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, said, “I am not aware of any move by anyone in APC to defect from the party to any other party, but if somebody is moving, where will the person be going to? You want to go to another party where you will go and stay on the queue or what?

    “I am not aware of any such move, unless it is being arranged for tomorrow. Though people are free to make their personal decisions, I don’t think there is any action like that by any of the APC chieftains or party members.

    “The problem which APC like every other party is having is internal and at the moment as I am speaking with you, it is being resolved amicably among the warring members at the national level.”

    Ohajuruka who intends to contest for the Abia Central Senatorial District under APC said, “I don’t belong to any faction as a person. My own duty is to encourage or promote understanding and peace amongst all the members of the party and whoever gets what, everybody should support the person so that we can form a formidable opposition to the ruling party because the absence of unity will bring about discord among us which will be to the advantage of the ruling party.

    “That is why we are encouraging our members to come so that we can work together. We (APC) members should shun hatred and put rancour aside to fight for a common goal”.

    He added “We don’t have one political party in Abia State like the ruling party will always boast. Every state has its dynamics and the dynamics of Abia State politics will soon play out itself very well, I can assure you.

    “Nobody should rule out any party. Every political party has its own internal problems, but the most important thing is to how to resolve it. I am assuring my supporters and the party’s supporters across the state that APC will live up to its expectations.

    “It is not even easy in the political parties where they are decamping to, if the rumours were anything to go by. Who are they going to pitch their tents with? Are they going to dislodge people or contest for a position or be a delegate there (defected party)? I will urge every APC supporter wherever that they might be to hold on to the APC ideologies and disregard such insinuations.

    “I am assuring them that everybody will be carried along as soon as things were harmonized and we hit the ground running. APC is the political party that will provide for Abians the true dividends of democracy which they truly deserve.”

     

  • Corps Marshal sensitises Ebonyi motorists

    Corps Marshal sensitises Ebonyi motorists

    Ebonyi State has hosted Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi in his nationwide campaign to cut road crashes in the country.

    Since his appointment, he has not only expressed his desire to reduce fatalities on the roads but has seized every opportunity where he went to sensitise road users on safety.

    Oyeyemi says he wants to reduce crashes by 50 per cent next year.

    To this end he has been touring the states of the federation to sensitize stakeholders, road safety officials on the policies and programmes being put in place by the Corps to meet the target.

    The tour also provides him the opportunity to strengthen inter-agency cooperation with other bodies like the police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), military and National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), among others.

    It was the turn of Ebonyi State last week to play host to the Corps Marshal and his team.

    Oyeyemi was received by the state commandant of the Corps, Mrs Ann Abhiele alongside leaders of other agencies at the Command Headquarters along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

    From there he went to the Peoples Club Resort Auditorium where he addressed stakeholders on the policies of his administration.

    The FRSC, he said, will install what he called “speed governors” in all commercial vehicles in the country, adding that the enforcement of the speed checkers will start by June next year.

    The Corps Marshal noted that the installation of speed governors will reduce road traffic crashes in Nigeria.

    He added that the enforcement of the installment of speed governors in all commercial vehicles was born out of the need to curb overspeeding.

    Oyeyemi explained that the command is mounting advocacy and enlightenment campaign at motor parks, adding that the Corps has made plans to provide logistics for effective operation.

    He said that the Corps has notified all the transport workers’ associations in the country and appreciated the cooperation between them and the transport workers’ associations.

    He said, “The most important thing is for us to recognize that we are all working together to lift the nation and ensure peaceful coexistence and development. I am happy with the inter-agency co-operation existing among all the security agencies in the state”.

    ”The NDLEA has been helping us a lot; in the process of arresting people dealing in fake drugs they also arrest people dealing in fake number plates and promptly hands them over to us. It shows we are all working together. From what I have seen here, all the agencies are working together and this is how it should be because we are working together and it shows that we are making progress.

    “What road safety is all about is safety on our roads that is why we say safer roads safer life for us to reduce crashes. From the data I have received here I could see an appreciable reduction is road crashes but yet just like Oliver Twist I’m not yet satisfied.

    “What I want to see is zero crash; I know it is a big task but I’m sure with more strategies we can achieve that. We are in the ember-months now and we are putting the appropriate machinery in place for the end of year patrol operations”.

    “We will provide more logistics to the command; we are also increasing our advocacy, education and enlightenment with more campaigns at local parks. We have seen that speed violation account for 39 percent of all total road crashes and also loss of control accounts for about 15 percent that means that over 50 per cent of crashes is as a result of two factors alone.

    “Because of that we evolved a policy. We said that to cut down the speed we must compel all commercial vehicles and high capacity buses to install the speed governors. With the stakeholders we have already signed a memorandum of understanding. By 1st of June we are going to commence enforcement of participation and installation of the speed governors on all the commercial vehicles, high-capacity buses, trailers, tankers, trucks. And the unions have been very cooperative. Because they are buying into it and with the installation we believe if we can cut down the speed we will go a long way to reduce road crashes substantially.

    “This is one critical area where there is no going back. We must crash the crash by compelling all commercial vehicles to install speed governors. And we are not the marketing officers, anybody wishing to install the governors can go and get the cap number from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and with these you can install it. We are hell bent that next year we must cut down the rate of crashes. We are targeting reduction of fatalities by 50 percent in 2015 and to reduce fatalities we must cut down the crashes”.

    “Also the UN decade of action stipulates that fatalities must be reduced by 50 per cent and having signed on to this decade of action which is a UN mandate for all member nations of the UN we must bring about the instrumentalism to get this done.

    ”We are also working to ensure compliance to all the statutes laws and regulations is complied with by all road users. On vehicle maintenance, we don’t allow all un-road worthy vehicles to be on the road for the end of the year patrol, so all road users should make sure that their vehicles are road worthy. Any rickety vehicle will not be tolerated.

    “On overloading we are not going to compromise our stance on this issue of over loading. All vehicles should carry the number of approved passengers. All these lives we are losing are human beings we need the understanding and full collaboration of everyone to ensure that we stop it. Everyone is planning for 2015 already but the only way to ensure we are alive to achieve our goals in 2015 is by being road safety conscious at all times and obeying all traffic laws and regulation”.

  • Ex-Pro-chancellor joins Okigwe senatorial race

    The former Pro-Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU) and Chairman, Starline Nigeria Limited, Prof. Clement Owunna has declared his intention to vie for the senatorial seat of Okigwe Senatorial District in 2015.

    Prof. Owunna’s ambition came months after he resigned his position as Chairman of Board of IMSU. His which was endorsed by the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Okigwe Diocese saw a large turnout of his supporters marrying after the endorsement, describing the actions of the women as a noble one.

    The aspirant who spoke to journalists after his endorsement by the C.W.O Okigwe Diocese said that he was going into politics not to amass wealth to himself, but to use his wealth of experience as an industrialist and entrepreneur to attract further development to his area.

    According to the ex-pro chancellor, “I believe that there is a point in life when one has to live by example to show them (the electorate) that these things can be done because if you look at the psyche of electorates in Nigeria, they have been so bastardised.

    “There is a curse attached to public wealth, because public wealth belongs to the public. So, when you go in there and try to appropriate those funds or wealth for yourself, the curse will follow you whether you want to believe it or not.

    “For me, I felt that in my senatorial zone, which is very backward; I am not saying that people before me have not tried, they have probably done their best to the best of their abilities and the circumstances that they met. But I want to be given an opportunity to go and try my own best and truly serve, because I am offering myself to serve them in the best of my capabilities.

    “A situation where somebody after being elected to represent and serve his people becomes elusive; no regular constituency visit/briefing, no constituency project to show for the period of his or her representation, is a clear indication that such a representative has no plans for the people that elected him/her into such position.

    “If you have a plan, as soon as you get in there, you will hit the ground running. So, for me, I have set out my agenda and plans for the people of Okigwe zone which I am going to implement when I am elected. The only I am asking for is their trust and vote. I can assure you and the people and the people of my zone that I will not disappoint them because, I am going to make

  • Fighting violence with jobs in Ebonyi

    Fighting violence with jobs in Ebonyi

    It is just as well that jobs are proving far more effective in fighting crime than bullets.

    In Okposi, a community in Ebonyi State, armed youths were once daily terrors. They spilled blood, killing many and maiming others. Quite a number of residents fled their community for dear life. Some others would not risk coming home. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. The youths simply ran wild in the community located in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

    It was alleged that the anarchy was perpetrated by youths loyal to the then coordinator of Okposi Development Centre, who was accused of recruiting some boys said to be members of various cult groups to maintain control of the area for his godfather.

    The former coordinator always denied it, but the perceptions stuck, as did the mayhem.

    According to reports, the godfather, who hails from a neighbouring town in the local government, had nominated the coordinator for the position in order to use him to fight his political enemy who is from Okposi, all in a bid to control the local government area ahead of the 2015 polls.

    But the situation was said to have got out of control for the coordinator, culminating in his sack by Governor Martin Elechi a few months later. He was replaced by Nze Magnus Eze, a renowned journalist and public relations practitioner.

    Nze Eze immediately swung into action with his Mezia Okposi (develop Okposi) movement to reclaim Okposi community.

    While his peace initiatives led to the return of normalcy in the area, his administration discovered that there was a high level of unemployed youths in the community who can easily be used to foment trouble.

    What did he do next? He put together a comprehensive skills package aimed at taking idle youths off the streets. It worked like magic. Many of the youths became gainfully employed.

    Recently, the second batch of the jobs scheme started with the training of youths in various technical and domestic vocations, including aluminum fabrication, telecommunication, hair dressing, auto electrical, electrical fabrication, fine arts, decoration, mason and bricklaying, fishery and poultry and catering, among others.

    Of late, the centre held a formal inauguration of its Youth Capacity Building and Empowerment Programme (YCABEP), at its Okposi headquarters.

    The 35 beneficiaries of the programme were also enrolled into the programme the same day.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Nze Eze noted that the first batch of 15 beneficiaries had already begun their training in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    He further said 35 new beneficiaries would be trained and sponsored by the centre, adding that the training and resettlement of all the 50 beneficiaries will cost about N10 million.

    He said: “We are committed to extending the frontiers of result-based governance which the current administration represents. Therefore, in furtherance of the Chief Martin Elechi administration’s commitment to wealth creation and mitigation of our recent history where youth restiveness ravaged the community, Okposi Development Centre is officially instituting a well-mapped-out skill acquisition programme for the youth.

    “A recent data from the centre revealed that the number of youths who are desirous to acquire skills rose to 768.

    “However, as daunting as the challenge of youth unemployment might seem, we are determined to confront the situation within the limit of available resources. We are therefore pleased to announce to you that 35 people would be benefiting from the first batch of the skill acquisition/empowerment programme.

    “As part of the programme’s components, the development centre would also re-settle each trainee on successful completion of the programme with a minimum grant of N100, 000 or its equivalent in tools/equipment. The support at the completion of the training would enable the beneficiaries to start small businesses to be able to create wealth and employment opportunities.

    “While the training lasted, the trainees are also entitled to monthly stipends ranging from N5, 000 to N10, 000.

    “It is important to mention here that the programme will cost the centre about N10 million in 12 months.

    “Three persons who were trained through our partnership with the NDE in May are already doing well for themselves while 10 other people who began in August are currently undergoing similar training. The 10 beneficiaries comprising six males and four females are being trained in welding; aluminum fabrication, printing, catering, auto electrical and electrical installation, among others.

    “We are totally averse to giving out hand-outs to the youth in the name of youth empowerment. Instead, we strongly believe that the best way to go in this circumstance is the Chinese approach of ‘teaching a child how to fish, so that he could go fishing by himself.’

    “This noble path is the most ideal; it does not only engender self-reliance, but it is also sustainable. Our target in the Youth Capacity Building and Empowerment Programme is that, at least 100 youths from Okposi Development Centre would be trained and fully equipped and empowered before the end of Governor Martin Elechi’s administration next year.

    “We are not under any illusion that this programme may encounter some challenges; hence we have designed some safety valves whereby the administrators will, through monitoring and evaluation, tackle such challenges.

    “We believe that a reputable financial institution such as First Bank Plc that serves as bankers to this programme will bring their expertise to bear in making it a huge success.”

    Inaugurating the programme, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Celestine Nwali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. P.C. I. Umoke, said the programme was timely.

    His words: “I am particularly thrilled by what I have seen today. That a development centre is embarking on this kind of laudable programme to empower our youths and remove them from the streets is quite commendable.

    “It is very auspicious because the coordinator understood that the white collar jobs are nowhere to be found; hence he has packaged this programme to engender self-reliance and create wealth among the youth of Okposi.

    “Coming from your recent experience earlier this year, when the youth of the area caused all manner of crises, there is no doubt that this programme is very timely. There is a popular saying that an idle man is devil’s workshop; so I believe that the beneficiaries of this programme would not be tools for any form of social vices again in life.

    “As for the trainees, I urge you to take this programme very serious because your life and future depend on it. You are lucky to have a man who thinks deeply about your well-being.

    “With the thorough manner the programme is packed; involving the National Directorate of Employment and a financial institution like First Bank; I have no doubt that it would bear good result. We are prepared to partner with the NDE at a larger scale to create jobs and wealth for our people.

    “Let me assure you Mr. Coordinator that the ministry will give you any kind of assistance you may require because this is not a small project. Please, don’t hesitate to come to us in case you need any assistance.”

    In her remarks, Mrs. Ngozi Ihenacho, state coordinator of NDE, urged the coordinator to ensure that the trainees are adequately monitored after they are settled.

    She said: “We, at the National Directorate of Employment, have found a good partner in the Coordinator of Okposi Development Centre. I must confess that the Coordinator has uncommon passion for his people and that is why we are partnering with the development centre to create jobs and empower the youth of the area.

    “So far, 15 youths from this centre are benefiting from our various training programmes.

    “With what I have seen today, we will continue to assist the centre in training and empowering the youth. We will always consider your area in any opportunities we have.

    “I urge the trainees to be very committed and ensure that they do not toy with this golden opportunity you have offered them.

    “My advice is that in resettling them at the successful completion of the programme; do not give them cash. We have the experience that when you give trainees cash, it is usually subject to misuse.

    “So, in settling them, provide them with tools and equipments. Don’t give them cash”

  • Diaspora group builds hospital for Imo community

    Residents of Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State eagerly await the completion of a sizeable hospital in their community being built by their kith and kin in Canada.

    The Nsu Development and Cultural Association (NDCA), made up of indigenous Nsu people living and working in North America, unveiled the ultra-modern hospital project in Lagos.

    A large number of Nsu people under the aegis of Nsu Development Union (NSU) witnessed the event.

    Addressing the gathering, Dr Steven Madu, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Central Regional Hospital, Canada said that they embarked on the hospital project to provide access to standard health care and prevent avoidable deaths away among their people and neighboring communities.

    He also outlined plans to make the hospital a reference centre in the cadre of a teaching hospital as well as training ground for nurses and other health personal.

    Madu also said he hoped the facility will engage the services of well-trained specialists and general practitioners.

    Chairman of NDU, Lagos Chapter, Mr Chinedu Ogbonna thanked members of the NDCA for their zeal and love for their people, urging Nsu residents to see the hospital project as a wake-up call.

    Work at the site is expected to be completed on schedule.

  • A walk against breast cancer in Coal City

    A walk against breast cancer in Coal City

    Medical practitioners, Nollywood stars, other celebrities as well as students have mounted a campaign against the scourge of breast cancer in Enugu. Part of the campaign involved walking through the Coal City.

    It was to create renewed awareness on breast cancer, an initiative of the MTN Foundation (MTNF), the corporate social investment vehicle of MTN Nigeria.

    The MTNF Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign took place in Enugu amidst fanfare to commemorate the annual global awareness on the scourge. It is held every October.

    The Executive Secretary, MTNF, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, who was represented by Manager, Health Portfolio, MTNF, Mr. Victor Orie-Ononogbu, said that breast cancer is the number one cancer scourge afflicting people, and one in eight women is at risk of having breast cancer in their lifetime.

    ‘’This initiative, which underscores the essence of the Foundation to positively impact the lives of Nigerians, will be providing free breast cancer screening at MTN Mammography centers located at the, General Hospital, Marina, Lagos State; Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State; Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Yobe State; Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State and Specialist Teaching

    Hospital, Irrua, Edo State,’’ he said.

    As part of the awareness walk, students, medical practitioners and Nollywood celebrities like Cynthia Okereke, Chidinma and Chidiebere Aneke (the Aneke Twins), Stan Amandi,  participated in a road-show which kicked off from the old site of the University of Nigeria

    Teaching Hospital, Enugu and terminated at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. The walk will be replicated in beneficiary states which include Edo, Sokoto, Yola and Kogi, included sensitizing the public about breast cancer with medical practitioners and specialists on ground to

    enlighten people and encourage women to get screened at designated points.

    During the event, Dr. Georgie Affam, Founder Breast Care Foundation, said breast cancer kills one in every 25 Nigerian women and urged women, to get screened every year to prevent untimely death.

    “The incidence of breast cancer is one in 25, but because we don’t screen our population, it’s actually a death sentence. Here in Nigeria, most of the diagnoses are made when it is too late, thereby leading to several needless and painful deaths of our beloved mothers, sisters, aunts, friends and colleagues,” said Affam.

    She further demonstrated how breast self-examination is done to check for lumps, thickenings and nipple discharge.

    Medical practitioners were also available to perform clinical breast examination and offer free advisory services.

    The Nollywood celebrities present lauded the initiative whilst challenging other corporate bodies to do more in the fight against breast cancer.

    This comes as MTN Foundation is said to be currently executing various projects in 341 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria, including the FCT. MTN representatives further disclosed that the Foundation has spent over N10.5 billion on social projects in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

    Recently, the Foundation deployed state-of-the-art Mobile Clinics stocked with medical equipment and drugs to states across the six geopolitical zones. These mobile clinics have helped to reduce the incidence of maternal and child deaths, especially in rural communities.

  • New squad for Abia police

    New squad for Abia police

    Hard times await criminals in Abia State as its police command has inaugurated a new squad trained to better contain hoodlums.

    Members of the squad have just concluded a two-week intensive orientation in weapon-handling, including how to cock a gun in three seconds, baton exercise, ambush and counter-ambush, among others.

    The new anti-crime team called Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was drawn from the State Police Headquarters, Umuahia, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force 28 and 55.

    It is expected that with the experience they gathered during their training period as well as in continuous training and retraining, the officers will function optimally and help to reduce incidents of crime in the state.

    Speaking at the passing-out ceremonies to mark the inauguration of the squad, the state police commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim assured that with the setting up of the crime-fighting team, crime and insecurity in Aba and the state will be a thing of the past.

    Ibrahim urged the officers to work hard to ensure that the aim of the command in setting up the team is not defeated. The state police chief also expressed his satisfaction with the trainees’ gallantry throughout the orientation period.

    Mr. Ibrahim said he was optimistic that the new squad would have a great impact in the command. He donated a hilux van to the team and promised to equip them with the necessary gadgets they will need to function effectively.

    In his address Aba Police Mobile Force 55 Squadron Commander, CSP Wilson Dankwano lauded the CP for setting up the squad, noting the CP’s achievements in the state since he assumed office in the state.

    Dankwano expressed optimism that with the level of experience the officers gathered from the two weeks training exercise, the command will be better policed and more secure.

    The RSS squad commander, DSP Idehai Godwin described their experience during the two weeks training as a bit strenuous but said that it would keep his team fit and smart for the task ahead of them, adding that they can perfectly use the baton to also destabilise and arrest suspects.

    Promising to use their wealth of experience to nip crime in the bud in the state and Aba business community, Godwin requested for the provision of necessary working materials and gadgets to make their work easier and effective.

    Some of the officers interviewed promised to give their best, adding that they were aware of the expectation of the command and the public.

  • We’ll soon develop our second campus, says rector

    The Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Sir Allwell Abalogu Onukaogu has said construction work will soon begin at the second campus of the institution at the outskirts of Aba.

    Fielding questions with reporters in Aba, Onukaogu revealed that arrangements for the foundation-laying ceremony of the Osisioma campus to be performed by the Governor and Visitor of the school; Theodore Ahamefule Orji would soon be concluded.

    He said: “We already have the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), but because we don’t want anything that will disrupt work as soon as construction work began on the site, we have engaged the natives; our host community to a roundtable discussion to resolve and settle issues with them amicably. I can assure that in no distant time, the governor will be coming to perform the foundation-laying ceremony on the site.

    “The campus, when completed, will solve students’ accommodation problems; provide space for the establishment of more departments such as mass communication, among other courses. It will also be equipped with modern sports facilities for students’ recreation.

    “For the campus, my predecessors in office did not think there was any need for us to go to their when this place has not been exhausted and when I assumed office as the rector, I decided to exhaust the available space and whatever that is available here. I had to knock down all bungalows and then, put high-rise buildings. By the grace of God, we have exhausted all the available spaces we have here.

    “So, what we are doing is to develop the second campus. This place was never really supposed to be a temporary site because the idea of the polytechnic in Aba was to promote the industrial potential that Aba have. So, there was no need taking the campus out of Aba town.

    “We intend to build hostels for our students there. Zenith Bank has indicated interest to partner with us through public private partnership (PPP) arrangement. We are studying their proposal and conditions. If we are comfortable with it, we will accept them.

    “Also, we intend to transfer all Humanities and Management Colleges to the new campus. There is a plan to establish a School of Mass Communication. There will be a modern library and a mini-administrative block because here remains the main campus.

    “There will be sporting facilities so that students can recreate. This is because the intellect will be useless without a healthy body; that is why we are not only going to build, but also to encourage students to make good use of those sporting facilities to develop themselves.

    “As time goes on, we may begin to think of agricultural programmes because the lane is big enough to accommodate Agriculture Department and students.”

    Debunking a media report on the institution, the rector thanked Governor Orji for his assistance to the institution, stating that with the modern equipment which the school boasts, it competes favourably with Federal Government institutions.

    “The proprietors of this school before the present governor took over were not even bold enough to establish core polytechnic courses. The equipment we have in surveying, let alone in the Environmental Sciences cost millions of Naira. There are very few institutions in the country that have the kind of equipment that we have here.

    “In our Hospitality and Tourism Departments, we have 28 chalets that can stand any level of competition with five star hotels.

    “Our Food Science and Technology graduates can work in the most modern food establishments unlike their contemporaries that will need to be retrained before working in a modern food processing factory. We have facilities that can bake 1, 000 loaves of bread in 30 minutes.

    “Some institutions have demanded that we fabricate dredging machines for them which other polytechnics that are over 40 years cannot even do. It is not just a question of manpower, but that of equipment.

    “We have about 12 functional boreholes and a urinary for students, unlike in the past when they defecated everywhere.

    “So, when they say there was a polytechnic that was teaching Accountancy, Public Administration, what do you need to teach those programmes? You need classroom and manpower, but if you are teaching Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Electronics, you do not only need staff, you need equipment and we have the latest versions of these equipment.” he said.

    Onukaogu described his relationship with government, staff and students as cordial, adding that they have always come out stronger and united after industrial disputes which was why the school was in session even when polytechnics in the country were on strike.

    He expressed hope that expansion project would help to create job opportunities for the host communities and people of Abia.