The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • ‘We’re committed to empowering children for leadership’

    The ARM Pension Managers has restated its commitment to the empowerment of children through education to prepare them for future leadership.

    The Regional Manager, South East and South South, Valentine Dim stated this in Onitsha, Anambra state during the presentation of over 2,500 exercise books to schools under the Anglican Diocese on the Niger.

    He said the organisation had always been interested in investing in the future of the children to ensure a more stable and prosperous society.

    He said, “We’re here to give back to the society as a responsible corporate body. We seize every opportunity we have to gladly give back to the society we’re taking from.

    “Diocese on the Niger has lots of schools, both primary and secondary through which they empower next generations.

    “ARM being a forward-looking organisation is also interested in investing in that future of the children so we can have more stable and prosperous society.

    “We’re also giving back to their parents whose pensions we manage and whose assets we generate income from which we use in investing in what we’re doing today.”

    According to Dim, the gesture was targeted at cementing and appreciating the relationship between the two bodies which was established something ago.

    Read also: ARM premium hits 31 %

    He further said the organisation has earlier developed a learning application deployed for university students which contain all the information they need.

    “This church is not the first place we’ve made donations. As a body, we’ve always been giving, including tertiary institutions and other groups,” he added.

    He further disclosed that the gesture was the first batch, assuring that more books would be donated to the students in no distant time.

    Responding, the Education Secretary of the diocese, Ven. Rufus Ezenwaka expressed appreciation to the organization, promising judicious use of the books.

    “We’re glad that the relationship between two of us is being sustained. We assure you that the books would go a long way to assisting the students in their academic pursuits,” he said.

    Photo: The Regional Manager, Valentine Dim (4th right) pose with the Education secretary, Ven. Rufus Ezenwaka and members of his team during the books presentation.

  • School of Public Health, Nsukka for upgrade

    The Enugu State government has said arrangements have been concluded to upgrade School of Public Health Nursing/ Health Technology Nsukka to College of Health Technology and Nursing Services.

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi disclosed this in Nsukka during the matriculation of 125 students for 2019 session of the school.

    He said the state government was happy on the performance of the school since its establishment in 1977.

    “Very soon the school will be known as College of Health Technology and Nursing Services Nsukka.

    “The state government is happy with performance and achievement of the school and has concluded necessary arrangements to upgrade the school to a college.

    “When the school becomes a college, thousands of candidates from different states  of the federation will seek admissions into the college,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in the state, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi commended the principal of the school Mrs Uchenna Eze on the recent approval by West African Examination Board for the school to start running environmental health programme.

    “Since 1977 the school was established various principals made efforts for approval of this programme but within one year you assumed office it was approved.

    “The state government is happy with  you and your management for this great achievement,” he said.

    The governor advised the matriculated students to shun immoral vices,  exam malpractice and any form of cultism but should rather focused on their studies so as to be useful to themselves and the society.

    “Focus on your studies and shun immoral vices, exam malpractice and cultism as they will mar your future , “ he said.

    In a remark, Eze, the principal of the school urged new students to give priority attention to their study and be of good conduct since not all candidates who applied for admission in 2019 session were admitted.

    “it is not all candidates that wished to be here made it, you must count yourselves privileged to be admitted.

    “Remain focused, so that you acquire knowledge and skills you needed to attend to the sick and helpless.

    “Both academic and non-academic staff of this school are ready to help you achieve success,” she said.

    The principal told new students that the school had zero tolerance for shortcuts and indiscipline and would not hesitate to sanction any student that violated the school rules and regulations.

    She commended   Gov Ugwuanyi who provided the fund and logistics that made it possible for the school to get four years accreditation recently from Community Health board .

    “Staff and students of this school are grateful and pledged to rededicate ourselves to duties,” she said.

    Eze announced that the school had been granted approval to run Environmental Health programme, describing it as a dream come true.

    “This is a dream come true as the search for this programme has been on since the establishment of the school 1977.

    “I express my appreciation to state government, ministry of health and school management for their support that made this landmark achievement to be possible,”  she said.

    The principal listed some of the challenges of the school to include the completion of  female hostel building, building hostel for male students, employing of new security officers to replace retired ones as well as sinking of a borehole for the school to stop students  going outside in search of water.

  • ‘Demystifying mathematics key to success among students’

    Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha has blamed students’ poor performance in mathematics on the wrong presentation of the subject by teachers.

    The commissioner maintained that demystifying mathematics remained a sure way to guaranteeing massive success in the subject among students.

    Omenugha spoke in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state during the opening of a four-day training exercise on difficult subject areas for mathematics teachers conducted by Pan-African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH).

    She described mathematics as one of the easiest subjects to understand and excel in if presented properly and in a simplified manner.

    She said, “Mathematics has not been properly demystified. If you have a teacher who understands the concept and is able to teach it in a very natural and simple way, the students would be able to do better.

    “I came back from a conference on education in London and I just wished I was still a child because of the way maths was taught there, it was so simple with computers.

    “They said the worst way to teach mathematics is just to say 2+2=4, that’s a horrible way. You could get oranges and other aids so as to make it as practical as possible. I think that’s what our children need.”

    According to the commissioner, mathematics and other core subjects had always been given priority attention by the state government in view of their importance.

    “Governor Willie Obiano is very passionate about dymistifying mathematics among the children because he himself is a very good mathematician.

    “That is also why we’re committing much in building the capacity of our teachers for them to appreciate that teaching and learning mathematics can be fun,” she posited.

    Expressing confidence on the performance of the teachers after the training, Omenugha urged them to view their profession as more of blessing and opportunity to impact lives.

    Omenugha said, “The teachers are brilliant. For them to have done maths at the university level, some with Masters, it shows the level of their intelligence.

    “The only thing they need is to believe in themselves, have a vision and mission to drive the vision. They also need to continue to improve their capabilities and capacities.”

    The commissioner further revealed that the training which was a pilot edition, would be extended to other local council areas of the state.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Pan African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH), Prof. Uche Amazigo, said the training would focus on selected subject items identified to be difficult among the teachers.

    She revealed that a total of 28 teachers selected for the training would be drilled by eight others drawn from the best and experienced, expressing optimism that they would do justice to the subject.

    On his part, Project Coordinator, State Education Program Investment Project (ANSEPIP), Kene Enukora, said his organization would be supporting the programme technically and financially.

  • Youth leader to varsity students: key into Fed Govt’s job schemes

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in the Southeast, Hon Olisaemeka Onyeka has urged students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) to key into the empowerment programmes of the federal government.

    He said if they do that, it would take their minds away from joining cult activities and other vices in the society.

    Onyeka was speaking in Awka, the Anambra State capital, when the students from the Law faculty of the institution presented him with an award of excellence.

    He listed some of the empowerment programmes of the APC government going on right now for them to choose from, instead of making themselves willing tools of the devil

    The president of the Law students association of NAU, Mark Anthony Ezeoha, said the recognition was for his immense contributions not only to the institution, but to the society.

    While presenting the plaque to the APC Southeast leader, the students used the forum to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory during the last presidential election in the country.

    The students urged Buhari to increase allocation to tertiary institutions in the country, while also improving on the welfare of lecturers.

    In his response, the APC youth leader, commended them for remembering hard work, while urging them to key into the youth Empowerment programmes created by the Buhari administration.

    Onyeka, equally told them that fighting crime was one of the cardinal points of the Buhari’s administration, adding that they should take off their minds from crime and criminal activities.

    He told them to support the present government of APC, noting that the previous administrations wasted the country’s resources on frivolities.

  • Navy college holds health outreach for community

    The Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College (NNFLC) Owerrinta in Abia State has held its medical rhapsody for its host community.

    Naval medical personnel examined the locals and provided medications and advice for them, urging them to make good use of the medical supplies which they got free.

    Speaking at Trailer Park Owerrinta venue for the medical treatment, the commandant of the college, Navy Capt. Omotola Omotayo Olukoya said that all patients attending the exercise should listen very well and make good use of the drugs they were given after consultation with the doctors.

    Olukoya said that they are doing the free medical to treat ailments, but that some of them could be avoided if they live in a clean environment, stressing that good health is better than money.

    He said that the navy decided to hold the free medical exercise on that day being the national environmental cleanup day, adding that a health environment will also make for good and healthy living which in most cases may not require medication.

    The commandant said that they have three consulting rooms, child health clinic, family planning and distribution of condoms, antenatal clinic, eye clinic, laboratory and pharmacy department and urged them to access them for their own good.

    Read also: Maritime security: Navy takes delivery of new equipment

    Olukoya who was represented by acting deputy commandant, Commander Akinbamidele Samson Odunsi said that despite their major assignment which is to provide security with the help of other security agencies, that they also have to provide social services to their immediate community.

    The commandant of NNFLC said that the Chief of Naval Staff decided to have the medical outreach as one of the ways to create a human face and also make the people who live close to them to know that they are human beings like them.

    He described the free medical exercise as one of the ways they have to give back to the host community that welcomed them since the college was established, “I want you people to keep supporting us, and this will in turn encourage us to do more”.

    Olukoya told them to listen attentively to whatever the medical team will tell them and do accordingly so that they will not have any complications, adding that once they take their drugs as directed that there will be no problem.

    He said, “We are here to give free medical care to our people of Owerrinta community and its environs and we expect all to received medical attention as good health is very important more than money, as money is not everything”.

    The navy captain urged them to make good use of the drugs they will be given after being examined by the doctors on duty, stressing that by so doing they will live a healthy life devoid of avoidable ailments.

    Olukoya told them to always feel free to come to the base to make use of the clinic as they will be charged little money, “What we will charge you at our base clinic after treatment will never be the same with what you will be charged outside our clinic”.

    Earlier a Public Health Officer (PHO) at the navy clinic, Ms Light Emmanuel had told them the need for them to take their drugs as directed and that when they go in to consult with the doctors that they should not be shy but feel free to express themselves.

    Emmanuel said that it only when they tell the doctors what is wrong with them that they will be given proper medical attention, stressing that when they are shy and hid what is wrong with them that the disease will end up destroying them or killing them.

    She charged them not to feel shy to ask for condoms as they have both male and female condoms, “The condoms will be given free and they (condoms) will help to stop unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases”.

    The PHO also used the forum to demonstrate to the patients how to use the condoms for male and female for proper usage and urged them to teach others who for one reason or the other could not be at the medical outreach for their own healthy living.

    Emmanuel equally taught them how to use the treated mosquito nets which will be given to the children under five years, explaining that they must air the nets for at least twenty-four hours before usage to avoid health problems.

    She warned against using same for fishing as they are a fishing community, “This treated mosquito nets we are going to give you are not for fishing as they are not meant for that venture, as they can never hold fishes”.

    The navy PHO told the pregnant women that they will be given routine drugs for their health and that of their unborn children and also treated mosquito nets, “Please all pregnant women should come to our base on Monday for registration and free ante natal treatment”.

    In his contribution the medical doctor in charge of the navy hospital, Lt Commander Richard Ezeibe said that the navy is there for the people and also create a good working relationship with the community which will in turn make them feel free to come to them at all times.

    Ezeibe a surgeon said that the medical exercise is one of the ways to tell the host community that the federal government cares for them, as they are free to seek medical attention at the base clinic at all times.

    He told them that the medical outreach which includes ante natal care for pregnant women and also postnatal care after delivery, adding that they are also into reproductive health care which includes birth control methods.

    The navy medical doctor urged them to make good use of the exercise to treat all their ailments, adding that the medical outreach is for all category of patients from the old, men and women, pregnant women and children.

    Ezeibe thanked the people for turning out in their numbers to take advantage of the free medical as their response has given them the tonic they require to do more for the host community and other communities around the base.

    He noted that the children will be de-wormed and called on all present to go home and bring their children for free de-worming so that they will be free from worm related ailments.

    In his reaction, one of the recipients of the medical rhapsody, Ikechukwu Nwosu described the exercise as one of the best things to happen to the people of the Owerrinta community and urged the navy not to relent in giving them free medical treatment.

    Nwosu said that the medical rhapsody is an exercise that will go a long way to make the people of the community and its surrounding environs to have a healthy living, “I want to urge the navy to continue the good works as their drugs have helped many to live a healthy life.”

  • Parting gift for Imo pupils

    The Rochas Okorocha administration in Imo State, now serving out its last tenure, has given pupils in the state something to remember it for, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    There has never been a time like this for pupils in Imo State, with brand new school bags and a stipend of N500.

    Some hung the bag on their shoulders; others carried them on their heads out of sheer ecstasy. The effect was spontaneous as it was merry.

    The speed with which they discarded their weather beaten schoolbags showed how much they have been longing for something dignifying. The moment can only be described as a dream come true for the pupils, thanks to the Imo State government, which identified one of the needs of the pupils.

    Before the programme, which saw the wife of the governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, distributing over 30,000 schoolbags across public schools in the state, some of the indigent pupils carried their books and other stationery to school in polythene bags.

    But not anymore, the pupils are not only owners of brand new school bags but are also five hundred naira richer.

    The sparkle in the big white eyes and the unpretentious grin spoke volumes of the deep seated gratitude in their hearts. This, the governor’s wife said, is her way of putting a smile on the faces of the indigent pupils.

    From one public school to another, the governor’s wife’s train went with the load of gifts and the reaction of the pupils were the same: they were overwhelmed with joy.

    Speaking on what influenced her decision to embark of the project, Mrs. Okorocha stated that the love and concern for the indigent pupils motivated the state government to get the bags for the pupils whose parents cannot readily afford the schoolbags.

    The gesture did not end at the school bag and pocket money, the state government has also released a whooping N7.5 billion for the renovation of all public schools in the state.

    Speaking at the flag-off ceremony earlier, the governor stated that the gift was to inspire the pupils and to prove his administration’s love for education.

    He said, “I have just come to dramatise our love for education. Education is our number one industry and the best gift you can give to a child is education. And today we can see that the free education has done well in Imo State. The programme can be adjudged successful from all indications. I am grateful to all the teachers for keeping the flag of free education flying.

    “You may recall that seven years ago when I was elected your governor, my first pronouncement was that education should be free so that the children of the less privileged can go to school.  I started with that by giving free education, and also giving stipends, uniforms, sandals, desks, chairs”.

    He continued “Today as I exit in a very short time as your governor I want to conclude with education. All those who have played a very vital role in keeping this light on, I salute you and I commend all of you. As I speak now, I want to announce to you that my parting gift to the people of Imo State in the Education Sector is the immediate release of N7.5billion for the renovation of all the secondary and primary schools in Imo State.

    ”In addition, I will release immediately the sum of N1million for the children in each of the primary and secondary schools in the State for their pocket money. Every child in Primary and Secondary Schools must also get the new bag already being distributed”.

    The governor also added that “for those of you who have done well in their schools, the best overall student in every School will have a letter from the governor plus N10,000. And the best in Primary School in all the Schools will also get the sum of N10,000. Your teachers who have been teaching you, making sacrifices and making sure you are educated, I hereby approve N10,000 for each of the teachers in both Secondary and Primary Schools of Imo State.”

    Read also: The Rochas Okorocha I know

    He stated further that “for those students that have the power of communication and oratory, they will have automatic tickets to the United States of America on holidays. I do this in Rochas Foundation Colleges every year where the best students go to America for holidays. I want to introduce it to Imo State before I leave. So the first set of best students will have to travel before I leave office”.

    Meanwhile, reacting to the gift, a head teacher in one of the primary schools, Mrs Adeline Okoroafor, lauded the initiative, adding that it will motivate the pupils to work hard.

    According to her, “it is not just about the school bag but the mere fact that it was coming from the state government will give the pupils a great sense of belonging. It goes a long way to prove that they have not been forgotten and this will motivate them to be serious with the books as a way of showing appreciation to the government”.

    Another teacher, Mrs. Beatrice Ukandu, stated that, “it is not just about the bag because many parents can afford to buy for their children and wards but it is about the motivation, I can tell you that the pupils have been feeling very important and this will affect their sense of perception positively. If you see the way they are displaying it, you can then imagine the amount of joy in their hearts”.

    One of the pupils, Master Nwachukwu Emmanuel, of Central School Owerri, thanked the state government for the gesture, stating that, “we are happy for the gift and money and I want to thank the governor. The bag is beautiful and better than my former bag and I will study harder to show my appreciation”.

  • NEPAD trains 500 Anambra youths

    No fewer than 500 youths in Anambra State have been trained in skills by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

    The youths, drawn from across the 21 local government areas of the state, were trained in various areas including buns, chin-chin, custard, cake and pastry making, bead and hat making, and barbing, among others.

    The National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD, Mrs Gloria Akobundu, explained that the training was an economic empowerment created under the office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) for reducing poverty in the country.

    Akobundu, represented by Director Programmes Development and Implementation NEPAD Nigeria under the Presidency, Mr Emmanuel Abang, said the agency had good intentions for the masses and would not relent in the fight to achieve its goals.

    She said, “NEPAD is an economic development programme of African Union which was adopted at the 37th session of the Assembly of the Heads of States and Governments on July 2001 in Lusaka Zambia.

    “NEPAD runs on four primary objectives namely, to Eradicate Poverty, Promote Sustainable Growth and Development, Integrate Africa in the World Economy and Accelerate Empowerment of the Women and Youths.”

    She disclosed that the trainees would be provided with starter packs after the training as a follow up to ensure they succeeded.

    She encouraged participants to form cooperative societies in order to have easy access to loan from Bank of Industry and related institutions.

    Some of the resource persons, Miss Chidimma Akpata, Mrs Chidinma James and Miss Perpetual Akutuekwe, in their separate lectures, said the era of certificate branding had gone as white-collar jobs was hard to find.

    The stressed that anyone trained on any skill would triumph financially and otherwise.

    Some of the trainees, Mr Favour Nnaemeka and Miss Ifeoma Ameli, were full of thanks to the organisation for the gesture.

    They pledged their readiness to utilise the knowledge garnered from the training to better their lots and that of the society.

  • Murder at the cathedral

    Police are probing the circumstances in which a gunman shot and killed a 50-year-old woman at the door of a church in Afikpo council area of Ebonyi State. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    It was a black Sunday in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as a gunman went berserk, shooting and killing a 50-year-old woman in front of a new generation church in the area.

    The deceased was killed when she went for an intercessory prayer along with two other women in what appeared to be an ambush.

    Investigations reveal that the victim, a mother of seven, whose name was given as Mrs Chinyere Agwu, went to the Solution Ground International Church Amasiri accompanied by two other women to worship.

    The shooter killed her about 5am.

    On approaching the church door, the women were said to have spotted a man they identified as Paul with their torchlight. He was holding something in his hands which they couldn’t see very well.

    As they made to enter the church, he pointed the gun at them and squeezed the trigger.

    Most of the bullets hit Mrs Agwu while a bullet grazed the shoulder of another woman.

    The man took to his heels as the third woman who was the mother of the Pastor raised alarm.

    The General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Michael Uche told The Nation that he was alerted by his mother who was one of the victims who ran home after the gun attack.

    He said he immediately went to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the area to report the matter.

    Corroborating the story, an Assistant Pastor in the Church, Emmanuel Onyiagha said they resorted to self-help to rescue two of the victims following delay by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad to whom they reported the matter at Amasiri Junction.

    Pastor Onyiagha said Mrs Chinyere Agwu was rushed to a hospital where she was discovered to have suffered multiple bullet wounds. She died soon after.

    Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah said the suspect who was identified simply as Paul was in police custody.

    It was gathered that the body of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary while one of the survivors was so lucky that it was only the shoulder part of her blouse that was ripped apart by a bullet.

    “In front of one church-solution ground, two women were going to the church for prayer session they called intercession prayer between 5:30 am to 6:am.

    “As soon as they arrived the church, they saw a man one Paul from the area in front of the church holding something standing beside the church. While they faced their own business to enter the church, they heard a gunshot and one Chinyere Agwu one of the women fell to the ground.

    “The other woman rushed to the house to inform the Pastor who went to SARS police station there and reported the matter. He led the SARS team to the place and rescued the woman to the hospital”, said the spokesman.

    Odah said the woman on the way to the hospital was lamenting ‘Paul what have I done to you that you want to kill me?’.

    Read also: Women empowerment reduces over-dependence on men — Ebonyi govt.

    “Unfortunately, she could not survive it because the man shot sporadically in a close range into her body. She had a lot of bullet wound on her body”

    “According to the two women that saw Paul when they were coming to the church, they said he ran and hid somewhere. Paul has been arrested by us and he is claiming that he is innocent. But the deceased was calling Paul to the extent of calling his surname before she gave up.

    “The bullet wound in her was so much that her abdomen and that of her chest including her breast were badly affected with bullet wounds and because of that, she could not survive.

    The spokesman said that from investigations, the Pastor’s mother may have been the target of the attack.

    “I tried to find out from the Pastor what could be the problem between Paul and the deceased and he said it was not the deceased that was Paul’s target.

    “He said the person Paul was targeting was his (pastor’s) mother. He said the woman had a previous problem with the suspect’s wife. Right now, investigation is on. At the end of the investigation, we should be able to know what happened”.

    Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.

  • Child needs N12m for heart surgery

    The arrival of their twin daughters brought joy to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Nwaugha. Now, that joy is threatened as one of the babies has been diagnosed with a heart disease.

    Nwaugha hails from Ngor Okpuala in Imo State but lives with his family in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    While the Nwaughas were basking in the euphoria of the babies’ arrival, the sad news came. One of the twins was diagnosed with a life-threatening ailment.

    According to a medical report, made available to our reporter by Mr. Nwaugha, the baby is diagnosed with a hole in the heart that needs urgent operation if the child would be alive to celebrate her first birthday.

    Nwaugha who is a federal civil servant has exhausted his money and needs the help of well-meaning Abians and Nigerians to come to the rescue of their family.

    Speaking to our reporter, Mr. Nwaugha who spoke amidst intermittent cries, said, “I am from Ngo Okpuala in Imo State.

    I live at No. 16, Road K, World Bank Housing Estate in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. I am a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Calabar, Cross River State and I work in the accounts department.

    “One of my twin babies became sick after their delivery on October 26, 2018. They were delivered through CS (Caesarean Section). When we were still at the hospital after their delivery, the doctor who came to check on them noticed that one of the twins was breathing fast and hard.

    “In the two months that we spent at the hospital for close monitoring of the children, we were sent for scan from Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia to University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. It was found out that the baby has a very big hole in the heart.

    “They said that the operation will not be carried out in Nigeria. They said it can be operated in India, USA and another country that I cannot remember.

    “They don’t have the machine in Umuahia to scan a baby of two months. But in UNTH, they have the machine which enables one to see the heart of the baby and the hole on the screen. We saw everything through the scan. It was through the scan that I started imagining what my baby was going through.

    “Before the arrival of the twins, I already had three children; a boy and two girls. The last of them is about five years.

    “At the moment, it takes a lot of things including money to ensure that this baby stays alive daily. It hasn’t been easy, from sleeping at the hospital to taking care of other kids at home and combining them with my work. We stayed in hospital for about two months while they were monitoring the babies.

    “We were later discharged after it was established that one of the babies has a hole in the heart. We were however asked to be coming to the hospital every Tuesday in the week to check the baby and to get drugs. The baby is eating well, but the major challenge is her breathing; her breathing is so bad that you can’t even sleep with her.

    “Taking care of the two kids and their siblings has not been an easy thing. Immediately I receive my salary, it goes into taking care of the medical bills and meeting some of the needs of their siblings.

    “My sister and boss in the office have been assisting me financially whenever I run to them. I sometimes go to get loan from my bank (Access). When the month ends, they go to remittal to collect it. Sometimes, I take salary advance to buy their milk and pampers and when they pay salaries, the bank, like I said, will take whatever that I borrowed and leave the balance for me. That has been the way we have been managing all these while.

    “We got to know about the treatment in India through the doctor that has been taking care of the baby. What is holding us back is the money that we will use to pay the baby’s hospital bills and cover other logistics.

    Read also: Day Corona tackled child’s mental health, depression

    “The doctors in Enugu and Umuahia said that it may cost us about N10m-N12m to cover our medical and flight expenses. We have already made contacts with about two or three hospitals in India, but we can no longer go further since we don’t have the capital to push further the matter.

    “That is why we are making this appeal to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and wife including other governors of the Southeast and philanthropists to please come to our help. This is a crucial time for our family. We need their help and cannot just sit and watch our child; Victory Chinwendu die helplessly. She deserves to live and we will go to any extent legally possibly to ensure that we get this matter solved.

    “I have equally been trying to reach the likes Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation, but all efforts seem to be futile.”

    The account number to make the donations is Fidelity Bank 5332205142 Nwugha Christopher O.

  • Anambra community votes N2m for youth empowerment

    Awka Development Union-Nigeria (ADUN) said it was committing the sum of N2 million for youth empowerment and student scholarship for the 2019 academic year.

    The President General of the organisation, Chief Amobi Nwokafor, dropped the hint in Awka, the state capital, while presenting cash awards to the three best schools in the metropolis.

    He explained that education remained the priority of his administration.

    He said the scholarship was targeted at fighting cultism and refocusing the mind of the students towards excellence by shunning vices capable of undermining their future.

    Nwokafor recalled the empowerment programme the body organised last year where no fewer than 15 public and mission secondary schools with over 1,500 students from the select secondary schools participated.

    “During the maiden edition tagged; ‘Education endowment scholarship’, 25 exceptional students from Awka town emerged winners and were rewarded with cash prices.

    “The three best participating schools; St John of God Secondary School, Igwebuike Grammar school, and Girls’ Secondary school, Awka were promised cash prices.”

    Presenting the cash award, Nwokafor said the event was aimed at redeeming the pledge made last year as well as announce date for the commencement of the 2019 edition of the programme.

    He said, “When we assumed office about three years ago, we made a lot of pledges and promises to our people.

    “One is that we want to dedicate ourselves to the education of our people because the greatest asset we have is in our children.

    “If you train a child today, tomorrow he will be available to train others. It’s like a relay race.

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    “It was based on that that we organised a programme last year where we gave about 50 students scholarship. The competition was organised according to schools in Awka.

    “These schools we honoured today are the schools that took first to third positions during the competition. We arrived at this, depending on the number of students that the school produced during the competition.”

    Expressing excitement that preparations for the year’s competition had already commenced, the PG announced that over 100 students would be participating.

    “We want them to have endowment in the name of Awka indigenes and those who have done very well in their areas of callings.

    “The idea is that if Awka Development Union is able to give us 100 students scholarship in a year, other town unions will emulate us.

    “By the time other town unions in the state do the same, over 1million students will be given scholarship in the state and that would have brought further development in the state and ensure we have good representation everywhere in the future,” he said.

    Responding, Deputy Chairman, Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC) and member-in-charge of Awka zone, Lady Patty Offiah praised the PG for redeeming the pledge made to students and schools.

    She assured of maximum cooperation and collaboration in the second edition of the programme.

    Speaking on behalf of other schools, the Principal of St John of God Secondary school, Lady Anthonia Nwanekie called for sustenance of the programme.

    She was optimistic that the gesture would continue to spur students to work harder and achieve excellence in their academic pursuits.