The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Awka

  • Varsity student dies after jumping from 3-storey building

    Varsity student dies after jumping from 3-storey building

    • Victim allegedly consumed hard drugs before incident

    A male student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has been confirmed dead after he jumped from a three-storey building and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

    The incident occurred at a lodge close to the university’s gate.

    Residents of the area said the student apparently consumed hard drugs before jumping from the building.

    According to the neighbours, there was a loud noise, following which they rushed to the scene only to find the victim’s body lying in a pool of blood.

    Read Also: OAU denies arrest of two protesting students during Wike’s visit

    It was discovered that the student’s roommate was also under the influence of the same substance, as he was found in an incoherent state in their room.

    It was gathered that the roommate was kept in police custody and would be questioned once he stabilised.

    The identity of the deceased had not been disclosed at press time yesterday, and the police were said to be working to reach the family while investigation into the incident continued.

  • Awka: trader vs professor

    Awka: trader vs professor

    “The last time a president visited for a commissioning was in 2012 for a brewery, but today, the president is here to commission roads spanning several kilometres, flyovers, a government house, and more …”

    Now, that was the Soludo Scud Missile (SSM) hurtling from Awka with fearsome swish and foreboding devastation!  If anyone missed it, it was certainly not Peter Obi, whose Anambra governorship claims are akin to the farmer that planted five seeds, lied he planted 10, and is doomed to harvesting five crops and five lies! 

    Indeed, all Governor Chukwuma Soludo reeled out at President Bola Tinubu’s Akwa visit were as real as Obi’s many gubernatorial claims were phantom.

    Which was why Obi gave a tearful — drip! drip! — wailing response at a Lagos Business School Alumni Association forum in Lagos, almost turned a pity party.

    Obi moaned that he was a trader; and Soludo, the current governor, is a professor.  Where he, the trader, had stopped — some study in fake self-deprecation — Soludo, the professor, who boasts better knowledge, should continue.  After all, government is a continuum.  True.

    But the problem with Obi is that he’s victim of own airy propaganda.  Now, if he had “fixed” Anambra as he often loves to claim, his threadbare legacy would not have been so stark, and the SSM would not have smashed so smack!

    But even in his crybaby defence, he still hugged bubbly claims — starting with his so-called “savings”.  Those satanic savings were hardly selfless.  Putting state money in banks you and your family have interests, is hardly praise-worthy.  It’s roguish.

    Read Also: Awka stakeholders raise alarm over negative impact of not having PG

    Nay, it’s execrable; and such a clever ploy is exceedingly stupid.  Those funds were tied up earning illicit interests.  So, they were not available to fund infrastructure, physical and social.  But no infrastructure, no legacy.  That explains Obi’s gubernatorial sterility.  Yet, he loves to brag about his “savings”.

    Of course, Obi could not avoid the Soludo sucker punch, that he built a brewery — a family business — instead of building lasting roads, or even any school, all through his eight-year tenure. 

    That the brewery is now employing hundreds of Anambra youths is neither here nor there.  The real issue is the opportunity cost in Ndi Anambra’s delayed public sector investment and sustainable development.  But it was “opportunity gain” for Obi that soullessly gamed the system, yet annoy with his hollow preachments as Pope of ethical politics.  He can tell that to the marines!

    Obi’s is a classic example of a  mediocre tenure being sold as stellar.  Unfortunately for him, the more he blows his scratchy trumpet, the more he exposes his full emptiness, when the question is solid accomplishments in public office. 

    That SSM is harsh, though fair reminder.  Pitobi, carry your cross like a man!

  • Awka stakeholders raise alarm over negative impact of not having PG

    Awka stakeholders raise alarm over negative impact of not having PG

    The Ozo title holders in Awka community in Anambra state, have raised the alarm over the negative impact of not having President General in the capital city has done to the town.

    The leaders said they are concerned that the community has remained without a centrally elected Town Union Executive for many years.

    The stakeholders added that the unfortunate situation has not only impeded centralized governance and control and also, exacerbated security concerns and youth restiveness within the metropolis

    Read Also: ADUN Lagos lines up activities for Awka Day celebrations

    In a statement Saturday in Awka, signed by the head and President of Ozo Awka, Ozo Dr MNC Nwafor and the secretary, Ozo Ndubuisi Nwakalo,a lawyer, said the situation has denied the capital city a lot of goodies.

    However, they hailed the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his infrastructural revolution in the state capital and beyond, adding that Awka had never had it so good before now.

  • ‘Why we killed security guard, three others in Awka’

    ‘Why we killed security guard, three others in Awka’

    From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A suspected cultist has confessed that his cult was responsible for the killing of four persons out of several individuals that lost their lives in cult-related killings in the last six months in Awka, Anambra State.

    The suspect, who identified himself as Udenta Odozie, made the confession while being paraded with over 128 suspects at the Police Command in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government.

    He said only two cults existed in Awka, with each gang after each member’s life, adding that they were not under instructions from anyone to do so.

    He said: “We’re in different cartels and we’re five in mine. We have different ways of identifying our members and those of our rival group, especially by the way we greet.

    “We have only two cults in Awka, Black Axe and Vikings. We’re after each other. We don’t get orders or instructions from anyone. Once we identify member of rival gang, we eliminate him.

    “Sometimes, we’re mobilised for election jobs, some of us are not even from Anambra State.”

    Police Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye said no individual had been indicted as sponsors of the cultists, but vowed not to spare anyone bankrolling the cult activities.

    Read Also: Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Highway to death

    He said: “We had thought someone is bankrolling their activities, but from our investigations, no sponsor has been indicted, otherwise, we would have gone after them because there are no sacred cows in this battle.

    “But I’m happy to note that since after we launched operations on cult activities, spate of killings have reduced in the state capital.

    “Within a week of launching the operation, 34 cultists were arrested, interrogated, charged and remanded in prison custody.

    “We also tracked one of the most dangerous killers in Enugu and arrested him at his hideouts.

    “During his mindboggling confessions, he said his own gang had killed four persons in Awka in the last six months, including a private security guard. 

    “He said they killed the guard not because he’s a security guard, but because he belonged to a rival gang. 

    “He also confessed being responsible for the abduction of someone who his gang killed after extorting N2.4million from him.”

  • UNIZIK students celebrate Oji Ofor festival

    The Students Union (SU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in collaboration with Spine Communications Limited, has held its  yearly cultural festival amid pomp and pageantry.

    The festival tagged: ‘UNIZIK Oji Ofor cultural festival 2019, held at Library field, was part of the institution’s SU Week.

    Speaking during the event, Managing Director, Spine Communications, Dr. Emeka Okeke, said the festival was organised in local communities to harness citizens towards stimulating and driving local economic growth while promoting cultural values.

    Said Okeke: “At the festival, multiple micro and small businesses get the opportunities to showcase their products and services to a large crowd of potential customers in one location.

    ‘’Oji Ofor festival offers the university community opportunity to come together to celebrate one another while being encouraged to be the primary brand ambassadors of UNIZIK.’’

    According to him, a lot of quality research as well as infrastructural development is required to achieve the management’s vision of making UNIZIK among the 200 outstanding universities in the world via its Vision 200 mandate.

    He added: “We plan to amplify publicity of the UNIZIK brand and attract the right strategic partners and resources to make Vision 200 a reality.

    “Previous festivals have been organised in local communities like Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    “This is our first time in a university community. Once we deliver the anticipated level of academic, research and economic growth, we will begin expanding to other university communities.”

    The SUG President of the institution, Comrade Joseph Okafor said the festival was meant to promote cultural heritage of Ndigbo and inculcate same in the lives of the youths.

    He said the occasion aimed to emphasisse among the youths, their cultural source and keep in touch with same.

    He explained that SU extended hands of partnership to Spine Communications as they could not achieve the desired result alone.

    Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah, Director of UNIZIK Confuscius Institute, Prof. Prof Yu Zhangbao, UNIZIK Public Relations Officer, Dr. Emma Ojukwu and Dean Students Affairs, Prof Stanley Udedi.

    Highlight of the event was the conferment of titles on some distinguished son of the land as well as the raffle draw that drew winners from the students in attendance.

    The event also featured cultural and masquerade displays, wrestling contest, native food sampling, eating of new yam and a friendly football match.

    Among the winners were Shedrack Chinedu, Chiamaka Okafor, Stella, Anthony Chidi, who won plasma TV, rechargeable fans, generators, among other items.

    Other prizes given to winners of different raffle draw were free transport tickets.

    Photo: Students pose in their traditional attires

  • 29 escape death in Anambra multiple crash

    Twenty-nine persons at the weekend, escaped death in a multiple auto crash in Amawbia, Awka, Anambra State.

    The accident which happened on the Onitsha-bound lane of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, involved two white colored Toyota Hiaces with registration numbers ENU 82 ZE and XB 509 AHD, respectively.

    Eight persons reportedly sustained injuries following a head-on collision by the two commercial vehicles.

    Confirming the incident, Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, said 29 persons, including 13 males and 16 females were involved in the accident.

    He said no death was recorded in the crash.

    Kumapayi disclosed that the injured were rushed to hospital for medical attention by the command rescue team that arrived the scene few minutes after the incident.

    He said, “There was a crash involving two vehicles at Amawbia, opposite NIPCO filling station this afternoon.

    “Twenty-nine persons were involved but eight persons, four males and four females sustained injuries.

    Read Also: Fire incident kills 66-year-old woman in Anambra

    “They have been rushed to the hospital and obstructions cleared by FRSC rescue team who arrived accident scene early.”

    Attributibg the crash to route violation, the sector commander warned motorists to desist from driving against traffic on dual carriage roads.

    “Route violation remains a traffic offence and culprits would be arrested and punished accordingly,” the FRSC boss warned.

  • Students’ detention: Parents to withdraw wards from Madonna Varsity

    Parents of students of Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State have threatened to withdraw their children from the institution following detention of six students of the institution and a lecturer.

    The media last week was awash of reports of school’s management detention of six students and a lecturer at the Awka prison since February.

    The detainees were accused of expressing opinion on Facebook the institution considered damaging.

    The media reports, The Nation gathered had generated public outcry including threats by some parents who thronged the university to withdraw their wards.

    Speaking with The Nation, one of the parents, Christopher Onyejekwe, whose son was among the detainees, said he had visited the founder of the University, Rev Fr Emmanuel Edeh over ten times to beg for his son’s release.

    He however regretted that such appeals  fell on deaf ears.

    He said, “Fr Ede arrested my son since February 19 till date, saying that he will not release them until they die in prison.

    Read Also: Madonna varsity alumni support the blind

    “I have approached Fr. Edeh to appeal to him. When the police arrested students, I went to Fr. Edeh 11 times and met him. On the 11th time, the only condition he gave me was to go and pray, which I did.”

    Another parent who spoke in confidence said the period of begging for the students’ release had gone, adding that the only option was to withdraw the child from the school.

    The Vice President, national affairs of National Association Nigerian Students, Chidi Ilogebe disclosed that plans had been concluded to fulfill its threat of shutting down the university if the detained students and their lecturer were not released immediately.

    The matter which was due for hearing at the Federal High Court, Awka on Tuesday could not hold due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri.

    According to an 11-count charge preferred against the defendants, the prosecutor, Mr A.N. Obo, said the publications on the social media were injurious to the image of the proprietor and the institution.

    He said the alleged offences were punishable under sections 27 (1) (b) and 24 (1) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

  • Man bathes wife with acid over divorce threat

    A woman has been bathed with a substance suspected to be acid by her husband, Mr. Onyeachonam Chinwuba, over alleged divorce threat in Awka, Anambra State.

    The victim, Añurika Chinwuba, an Onitsha- based hairdresser, was splashed with the flesh-burning substance at the premises of the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center at Agu-Awka in the state capital.

    The Nation gathered that Anwulika, mother of two, had dragged her husband, a civil servant, to the Anambra state Children and Women Affairs, to seek divorce.

    Commissioner for Children and Women Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, in a statement, explained the victim wanted dissolution of the marriage over her husband’s alleged questionable lifestyle.

    The estranged couple from Mmiata-Anam, Anambra West local council area, was said to have reported at the ministry as part of the move to resolve the marital squabbles.

    According to eyewitness, their differences, thought to have been resolved, however took a tragic twist shortly after the couple left the premises of the ministry.

    “The man reached for a bottle containing the harmful substance, which he hid in his clothes and splashed it on the victim, causing serious burns on her face down to her body.

    Read Also: ‘My boyfriend poured acid in my eyes’

    “Staff of the ministry and others around who were attracted by her screaming, rushed to the scene and drove her to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, where she was admitted,” the witness said.

    Speaking on condition of anonymity, the doctor who was treating the victim, said the substance had caused severe damage to her skin.

    He said the patient would be taken to the plastic surgery unit for further medical attention.

    Public Relations Officer of COOUTH, Miss Henrietta Agbai, while confirming the victim’s admission in the hospital, said the state government was aware of the incident.

    She advised spouses to always settle their family issues amicably rather than taking laws into their hands.

    Police spokesperson, Haruna Muhammed, said the suspect had been arrested and would soon be charged to court.

     

  • Mobile policeman rapes ATM user at gun point

    A mobile policeman in Anambra State, has been detained for allegedly defiling a 35-year-old lady in the premises of one of the new generation banks.

    The victim (name withheld) was said to have gone to make some transactions at the bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the night when the incident occurred.

    Confirming the report, Commissioner of police, Rabiu Ladodo, said the command was still investigating the matter.

    He said the command would make the report public after investigation being handled by the state Criminal investigation Department CID, Awka.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect, employed as a security guard to the bank, had approached the victim, demanding to have sexual intercourse with her.

    An employee of the bank, who pleaded anonymity, said the victim had initially refused the request until she was threatened with a gun by the suspect.

    According to the source: “With her life threatened, and nobody around to rescue her, she submitted and he had his way”

    The source further revealed that the victim stormed the bank the following day with some policemen who arrested the suspect.

    Ladodo said: “Soon after the police received complaint of the alleged rape from the victim, operatives were dispatched and the suspect was quickly arrested and placed under detention.”

    But he said that preliminary investigation was yet to establish whether the victim was raped during the incident.

    Ladodo however assured that the suspect would face necessary punishment if found guilty.

  • Obiano’s wife tasks women on leadership potentials

    Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has called on women to take advantage of opportunities available to them to maximize their leadership potentials.

    She made the appeal in her message to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) in Awka, Anambra State.

    Mrs Obiano encouraged women in the state not to rest on their oars in working hard to excel in their areas of endeavours.

    “I urge women to take advantage of our cultural bequeath of good values and structures that encourage us to work hard to excel amidst constant changes and demands on their gender as the society evolves,” she said.

    Mrs Obiano’s message drew attention to the United Nation’s theme for the year’s celebration #BalanceforBetter which seemed to promote gender balance in the society.

    She however advised that it did not translate to a contest between men and women but rather as a vehicle for advocacy on the rights of women in every field of endeavour.

    Read Also: PDP chides Obiano over suspension of taxes

    She also called for the sustenance of the civil awareness campaign and non-discrimination against women.

    She said, “I’m excited that women in the State have been given pride of place with recognitions and responsibilities through appointments to major positions of authority surpassing the 35% national benchmark for affirmative action.”

    She urged the women not to slack but to take a cue from great women leaders who excelled, using them as beacon of hope and role models in their undertakings.