The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Auchi

  • That anomaly at Fed Poly, Auchi

    That anomaly at Fed Poly, Auchi

    SIR: The attention of the President is hereby drawn to the 25 newly inaugurated federal polytechnic governing council chairmen. It is observed that none of the chairmen of the governing councils presides over the polytechnic located in their state except that of Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State. The chairman of the governing council of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Chief Micheal Oloko, is from Akoko- Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. He hails from Igarra town, which is about 16 kilometers away from Auchi where the polytechnic is located.

    Is the appointment done in error or deliberate? For instance, Dr. J.I Okar from Benue State is the Chairman Governing Council of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. Chief Edwin Ogunbor from Edo State is the chairman of Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State. The same is true of  Yalwa Tahir from Bauchi State WHO is the Chairman of Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Bali. Taraba State.

    Prof. Eddy Olanipekun from Ekiti State is the chairman Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State while Dr. Ibrahim Liman Sifawa from Sokoto State is the chairman Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State.

    From all indications, no governing council chairman is from the state where the federal polytechnic he is overseeing is located.

    This anomaly is coming at a time when the Federal Polytechnic Auchi community is yet to understand the rationale behind the appointment of the acting rector for the institution. The appointment – which is akin to imposition – defies all reasoning in the sense that 26 candidates went for the rector’s interview in July 2016 but in a fiat, one of the 26 candidates was appointed as acting rector at the expiration of former deputy rector academics. The man imposed was neither a deputy rector nor was he a dean or even member of management team of the polytechnic. People see this as an attempt to introduce autocracy and politicking in to our educational system in an era when autonomy and merit should be the prevailing order. The tertiary institution should not be treated as a fiefdom of political compensation where autocracy prevails.

    I humbly call on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the matter as efforts are on by some vested interests to abandon the credible interview conducted last year by the federal ministry of education and impose an indigene that does not merit the position through the current chairman of the governing council (also an indigene of Edo State). Merit and existing rules should be allowed to prevail in our educational system for the overall progress and development of the country.

     

    • Samuel Alli,

    Jattu, Edo State.

  • Obaseki, investors inspect fertilizer plant in Auchi, Okpella

    Obaseki, investors inspect fertilizer plant in Auchi, Okpella

    EDO State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured the people of the state that the abandoned fertilizer plant at Auchi would be up and running in the next three months, creating the first set of employments for the people.

    Obaseki made the promise while speaking with Journalists shortly after he made an onthe- spot assessment visit to the site of the plant.

    The governor, who was accompanied during the visit by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, along with other investors, said: “Well, as you can see for yourselves, this is the type of industry they said they built for us when they said they were going to industrialize Edo. “We have come with some investors, Mr. Uche Orji is the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Funds and you know that they have a programme for fertilizer and agriculture in the country.

    “So, we have brought them to come and see this facility and to see what we can do to reactivate it; that is the purpose of our being here.” Speaking further, the governor said “depending on how quickly we can move with investors; we have some interests from the private sector who understand the fertilizer business and we will get them to come and invest with us.

    From the positive indications, we believe that we can get this factory running before April.’’ Also speaking, Orji lamented the loss of billions of naira by the state over years, saying, “with this type of facilities in the state, Edo State has been missing lots of opportunities with a factory like this.’’

  • Inheritance Bill: Auchi monarch threatens Jihad against Senate 

    the Otaru of Auchi in Estako West Local Government Edo State, HRH Aliru Momoh, the Ikelebe III, has threatened to lead a jihad against the Senate over its proposed Inheritance Bill.

    The Otaru, who is the state chairman of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), noted that issues bordering on inheritance have been concluded in the Holy Qur’an.

    Speaking at the 20th Auchi Day annual celebration, HRH Momoh said nobody could alter anything about inheritance, which had been passed over 1,400 years ago by the Almighty God in the Qur’an.

    The monarch noted that he has a committee in his kingdom deals with the sharing of inheritance to ensure justice in accordance with the Quran.

    He warned of dire consequences, if anybody tampered with inheritance matters, as given by God.

    Momoh said: “The issue of inheritance has been passed over 1,400 years ago by the Almighty God in the Qur’an. Who is capable of altering that?

    “If anything, I believe sincerely it is a joke. But if it is not, I will lead a spiritual jihad against the Senate, should they alter the issue of inheritance as dictated by the Qur’an. Who are they?

    “A lot of us have the volition to do what we like but those volitions are limited in the sense that the human brain cannot surpass what has been explained by Almighty God.

    “Nigeria is at peace. The peace we prayed for is gradually coming to us. Boko Haram is gone; the Avengers have been diminished.”

    The Otaru hoped that President Muhammadu Buhari would lead the country to glory because of his integrity.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace the policies and programmes of the Buhari administration to enhance national development.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by the chairman of the state’s Inland Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, urged Auchi indigenes to key into his Reform agenda, especially in agriculture and solid minerals.

    Obaseki promised to revamp the Auchi Fertiliser Company as well build roads in the area.

  • Auchi Poly students protest ‘no school fees no exam’ policy

    Auchi Poly students protest ‘no school fees no exam’ policy

    Part time students of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State yesterday protested the “no school fees,no exam” policy introduced by the management.

    Witnesses said the students destroyed properties worth millions of naira, including vehicles.

    It was gathered that the protest began when some of the part-time students who were yet to pay their fees were not allowed to write the first semester examination.

    The action of the management angered the students. A riot broke out.

    Some students said they were sent out of the examination hall because they were yet to pay their fees.

    “We are protesting because the school management prevented us from writing our first semester examination on the account that we are yet to pay our fees.

    “The school management is not fair to us and we want the policy reversed,” one of them said.

    Dean, School of Evening Studies Mr Mahmmud Garuba said the school management had announced the ‘no school fees no exam policy’ before the examination began.

    His words: “Those that were denied access into the examination hall were not students as they have not registered since they claimed to have gained admission into the polytechnic.

    “Enough sensitisation was done on the ‘no school fees, no examination’ policy by the management and for them to go rioting and destroying properties of the institution; it is unacceptable,” he said.

    The polytechnic’s Public Relation Officer, Mr. Mustapha Oshiobugie, said those barred from the examination were not registered.

    Oshiobugie said the management would meet on the matter.

    “The management is sitting now and at the end of their meeting they would come up with their decision,” he said.

  • Lassa fever: WHO calls for intensive awareness campaign

    Lassa fever: WHO calls for intensive awareness campaign

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday urged governments at all levels to intensify public awareness campaigns on Lassa fever in the rural areas.

    Mrs. Faith Irehi, WHO Coordinator in Edo, made the call during a sensitisation campaign on Lassa fever in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

    “Following the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in Etsako West and other parts of the country, governments need to sensitise the public on the need to maintain good personal hygiene, especially in the rural areas.

    “What we need to do is to ensure that our people are well informed as everyone needs to know what to do to prevent the disease from affecting them.’’ Irehi said that people living in the rural areas were at greater risk of contracting the disease especially those who lived where rats and rodents are often found.

    She also advised communities to improve on their hygiene level and protect their foods from the excreta and urine of rodents, particularly the `Natal Multimammate’ mouse.

    The `Natal Multimammate’ specie of mouse was found to be the natural host of the Lassa fever virus.

    The WHO coordinator cautioned people against bush burning and spreading `garri’ outside, saying that this was common with people living in the rural areas.

    “The key thing is prevention because we are still coming to the peak; February and March are actually the period for bush burning.

    “We can actually prevent this; People should stop the practices of bush burning and spreading `garri’ outside.

    “They should cook their food well because the things that can cause Lassa fever include contact with the faeces, saliva and secretions from infected people or agents,’’ Irehi advised.

  • AUCHI POLY to maintain its position, says rector

    the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic in Auchi (AUCHI POLY), Edo State, Dr Philipa Idogho, has said the institution would maintain its first position in the Webometrics ranking for polytechnics. She spoke at the opening ceremony of the Students’ Week at the school auditorium.

    She said: “By latest Webometrics rating, AUCHI POLY maintains the first position in Nigeria, West Africa and the second best in Africa. We will continue to maintain this position by improving quality and research.”

    She said the ongoing projects in the school were being recognised by the international community. The feat, she said, made her to be given two awards by an Accra-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the African Youth Network.

    Dr Idogho advised students to improve their performance and take entrepreneurial course seriously, saying it was the best way to create wealth and boost the economy.

    She said: “The employment situation in the country requires that you take seriously your entrepreneurial studies. This would enable to develop your ability to be employers of labour, create wealth and drive the economy.”

    The Vice President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Ese Onyewenu, urged students to make the campus violent-free and carry themselves in a dignified manner that would represent the school positively.

  • Auchi poly appoints deputy rectors, others

    Rector, Auchi polytechnic, Dr Philipa Idogho, has approved the appointment of two deputy Rectors for the institution.

    They are Mr Fred Agboinghale (Deputy Rector, Administration) and Mr Jafaru Buraimah (Deputy Rector, Academics.

    Until their appointments, Agboinghale was a chief lecturer and Dean, School of Applied Science and Technology and also chairman, Committee of Deans, while Buraimah, an engineer, was a chief lecturer and Chairman, Housing Committee of the polytechnic.

    The newly appointed deputy rectors took over from Dr. S.G. Eshiotse (Administration) and Mr E. U. Onochie (Academics) who have completed their tenures.

    Eshiotse will serve as the Director of Degree programmes, while Onochie’s new assignment is to head the Centre for Equipment Maintenance and Industrial Training.

    Other new officials include: Mr F.U. Balogun, Dean, School of Evening Studies, and Mr A. A. Obomeghie, Acting Dean, School of Applied Science and Technology.

     

  • Gunmen abduct RCC officials, kill three soldiers

    Two officials of the Reynold Construction Company have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi road.

    Three soldiers were reportedly killed by the kidnappers.

    Soldiers have been providing security for RCC officials after they stopped work at the Benin-Lagos express road over incessant kidnappings.

    Details of the attack are yet to be known.

    A top army official confirmed the killing but promised to provide details later.

    The Police Public Relation Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Eguavoen, said he was yet to get details of the kidnappings and killings.

     

  • Groom, grand-mother, uncle die in road crash

    A family of four who were on their way to a marriage introduction have been killed in a road accident that occurred last weekend at Iruekpen village along the Benin-Auchi express road.

    They were said to be heading to Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government.

    Occupants in the vehicle included the man whose marriage introduction they were attending, his grand-mother, uncle and uncle’s wife.

    Sources said they were travelling in a Toyota Sienna bus and had a head-on collision with a heavy duty truck conveying sand dust.

    It took some time before the trapped corpses of the victims were removed from under the truck.

    The bodies have been deposited at a morgue while the Toyota Siena was damaged beyond repair, as engine of the vehicle and its body fell to different directions.

    Head of Operation, Iruekpen Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. John Omokandugba who confirmed the report said the accident was caused by dangerous over taking on the part of the Siena Vehicle.

    Identity of the victims could not be confirmed as at press time.

  • Gunmen write to Auchi banks

    •’We’re scared‘

    There was tension yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo State as residents scampered for safety, following the rumour of attacks on some banks.

    It was gathered that operators of several financial institutions in the community closed shop unannounced.

    Sources said threat letters were sent to two banks, informing them of planned attacks on their facilities.

    Speaking in a telephone interview, the chairman of Bankers’ Forum in Auchi, Sanusi Bash, described the situation as worrisome.

    He called for more security personnel to be deployed in the city.

    Bash said: “They wrote a letter and dropped it at two banks, that they will come back before the end of the year, saying soldiers and police cannot withstand them.

    “We are scared and please let the government provide security. We are not attending to customers and we are scared as we now live in perpetual fear.

    “We will open to customers once we are guaranteed of proper security measures. We cannot risk our business and personnel.”