The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • N13b housing estate coming in Enugu

    A housing estate designed by Chinese engineers is under construction in Enugu to provide befitting accommodation for residents. The estate is estimated to cost N13.5billion under Private Public Partnership (PPP) with FIT Consult Limited executing in partnership with the Enugu State Government.

    The state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has inspected the estate along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The inspection tour by the governor, who went with the company’s officials led by its Chief Executive Officer of FIT Consult, Chief Loretta Aniagolu, was to ascertain the extent of work on the estate with regard to the amenities and facilities being put in place.

    After the inspection Ugwuanyi expressed satisfaction with the level of “seriousness and commitment” exhibited by the state government’s partners towards the timely delivery of the project, saying that he has no doubt that the venture will go a long way in his administration’s genuine efforts to addressing the housing needs of the people.

    He added that the project “further underscores the usefulness of synergy and cooperation between government and the private sector in the quest for the rapid development of the state as well as the improvement of the lives of our people”.

    While thanking Chief Aniagolu and her team for all their efforts, the governor used the opportunity to call on “other individuals and organizations in the private sector, both at home and abroad, to emulate this worthy example and also join hands with government to advance the frontiers of development in Enugu State”.

    According to him, “Enugu State is indeed ready and open for business and we will eagerly welcome partners in every sphere of development so that our aspiration to build a more prosperous, peaceful and secure Enugu State will be fully and promptly actualised”.

    The Estate according to the CEO of FIT Consult, Chief Aniagolu has 200 units of three-bedroom Bungalows, 490 units of four-bedroom Duplexes and site and services of 487 plots totaling 1,177 homes with the following services – 24-Hour Water Supply;  24-Hour Electricity; paved concrete roads; sidewalks and street lights; parks and greenery; waste management; recreation and security.

    She said the bungalows would cost N8.7million each while the duplexes would be sold at N27million per unit.

    Aniagolu explained that the Estate has provision for an event centre; fitness centre; hotel; hospital, office park; school; shopping mall; neighbourhood shops; recreation club and worship centre.

    She also highlighted that the Estate has the features and advantages of being on a highway to five states; direct international flights; Air Peace International Hub (coming soon); supporting State Legislation; 14 Tertiary Institutions; large scale industries among others.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • Enugu Disco is a joke

    SIR: Umuoji people in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have been in darkness for a period of over two months.  The abusive intermittent supply of power, needless to say, has amplified the suffering of the people from the economic recession.  Unlike in the past when residents were ridiculed with nonsensical excuses for power failure, the authorities currently left them in the dark without communication.

    Earlier this year, a circular was forwarded to the various Umuoji village meetings from the President General of Umuoji Improvement Union (UIU).  The letter informed the villages to conduct a census of all the residents using electricity.  It stated that it will be their responsibility to collect money for the amount of electricity consumed every month by users.  This arrangement ensued from a meeting held by UIU in which an official from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was invited.  The ingenious plan agreed upon during the meeting was that EEDC will send a bill with bulk amount to the town at the end of each period.  Villages will be expected to share the bill amount among them and collection per consumer will be done by them on behalf of EEDC.  Money collected will be paid to EEDC by the Umuoji Electricity Committee.

    The sad fact that UIU agreed to this thoughtless arrangement with EEDC speaks volume of whose interest it is serving.  Not unless there are details left out from its circular like how the recruited villagers will be paid for their untrained for job, the process is bound to be fraught with gross inefficiency and inevitably, leave room for corruption to fester.  It is a damn shame for EEDC to unscrupulously abandon their responsibility.

    Soon after this reckless proposal was circulated, the entire town of Umuoji was plunged into total darkness. The protracted power outage was not seen as unusual by residents until a member of Umuoji Igwe-In-Council sent an announcement to various Umuoji WhatsApp forums that EEDC has disconnected electricity supply to the town for lack of payment of their bills.  Members could not help but to protest on various WhatsApp forums against the blanketed punishment of all electricity users for the offence of some who defaulted.

    Chairman of the Electricity Committee intervened in the WhatsApp forums discourse.  He assuaged the tension. The initiative he took to mediate between the community and EEDC resulted in power supply being restored. His agreement with EEDC was that, going forward, electricity users should pay the amount specified on their bills every month.  The chairman was generally applauded for his diligence. However, news about payment of the full bill left a bitter taste in consumer’s mouth.  Explanation by EEDC that they came to the payment formula by sharing the total amount of power load to the community by the population of users was not acceptable. Since there is no way of ascertaining each consumer’s usage, lumping a poor widow who uses two light bulbs in her hut with a rich person who lights a mansion with same bill seems totally unfair.

    Our woes are unending.  For more than two weeks, we have barely had electricity in Umuoji.  The privatization of electricity supply is leading up to a big fraud. Once again, Nigerians are disappointed by government inability to provide basic services.

     

    • Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Lack of dedication, Rangers’ problem – Akabueze

    Lack of dedication, Rangers’ problem – Akabueze

    A former Rangers International FC of Enugu and Green Eagles winger, Emeka Akabueze, says the current players’ not being as committed as the older generations was responsible for the club’s dwindling fortunes.

    Akabueze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday day in Lagos that the players of old were always playing for the fans and not for money.

    NAN reports that Rangers was founded in 1970 but has never been relegated from the Nigeria Premier League. It has won several honours and last year won the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

    It has won in total the Nigeria Premier League seven times in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 2016 and Nigeria FA Cup five times in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983.

    The club was also finalists seven times in the competitions in 1971, 1978, 1987, 1990, 2000, 2004 and 2007; won the Nigerian Super Cup in 2004, Africa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977 and was finalist in the African Cup of Champions in 1975.

    However, it started the 2016/2017 NPFL on a low noted, threatened by relegation. It has overcome the threat and has since the second stanza of the league struggled to do well.

    Rangers are currently 13th on the NPFL log with 32 points after 25 games.

    “During our own time, we always have the interest of the fans at heart. We always consider the market men who had to leave their stalls to watch us.

    “We were always conscious of the fact that if we lose a game what will be their reaction. They left their businesses to support us.

    “Whenever we lose a match, we dare not exchange pleasantries because everybody will be sad and that was the spirit then, we are concerned.

    “We think much about our fans because we don’t want to lose them as well we want to always increase our fan base; unlike now when money has taken over,’’ he said.

    Akabueze, a die-hard fan of Rangers, said that monetisation had rubbished the flavour often enjoyed in football, adding that passion was no more the driving force of many footballers.

    “The issue of money has really damaged the entire system. Players no longer play for their passion of the game but what will be paid to them at the end of the match.

    “A player will not follow you to a club for the purpose of playing with passion, it is about how much he will receive at the end of the game.

    “Football is more than the money in it but the presence of money has rubbished the entire system. I think the system needs an overhauling.

    “We need to change our mentality from monetary gain to passion for the game that is the only option to move the game forward,’’ he said.

    Akabueze alleged that the present crop of players also lacked respect for each other, adding that there was a hierarchical order in the team which all must abide with.

    “Players don’t respect themselves anymore and that is a problem. During our own time, we recognise our seniors and we accorded them due respect, we were not rude.

    “If we were rude, we might get a dirty slap. Some of our seniors like Stephen Keshi were in the team with us and we were not rude to them. All these are missing now.

    “Can you imagine a team will play a home game and lose, then the next thing you see them talking and discussing happily? You can’t try that during our time.

    “Also, an amateur player without a club will be heard saying that he has a manager somewhere. How can players without clubs already have managers and that is what has been,’’ he said.

    Akabueze added that Nigeria football could be at par with other football countries in the world if the system was changed to reflect standards.

    “If we want to have the standard like other advanced countries, why not? But we need to do the needful. The system must conform to the standards.

    “If we take a look at an average football fan in Nigeria, they all have clubs they are supporting overseas to the point of fighting for those clubs.

    “Then we ask, can we do the same for Nigerian club sides? Yes, we can but we need to look holistically how we run our clubs in Nigeria.

    “We can get there; we can find the same enthusiasm for foreign clubs replicated in Nigerian clubs if we want to have it.

    Akabueze said that the  was doing its best to standardise the league but it must be complemented by other football stakeholders.

    “The LMC is trying its best to return enthusiasm to the league, but we must all compliment it and support them.

    “For example, when MFM is playing in Lagos, their fans will come out and say let us support our team, not for the international teams alone.

    “The LMC is trying to do it but we Nigerians are the ones to patronise ourselves, if we do that then the teams in Nigeria will grow.

    “We must also ensure that discipline is restored back to the national team so that everything will be put in place for the prosperity of the national team,’’ he said.

  • Enugu teachers oppose schools’ return to councils

    The Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday held a peaceful rally to oppose the return of primary schools to local governments.

    During the rally at the New Haven Primary School in Enugu, the teachers insisted that the funding of primary education should be the responsibility of state and Federal governments.

    The teachers called for the raising of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, as done in tertiary institutions.

    The State NUT Chairman Ozor Paul Nnaji said the union’s main concern was not local government autonomy but the constitutional provision, which gives the responsibility of primary schools to local governments.

    Nnaji said: “We are of the firm belief that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which vest the onus of funding and management of primary education on states while the local government participates, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, should be upheld to save primary education from imminent collapse.”

    The union leader reminded the government of the “awful experience of teachers, between 1990 and 1994, when primary education was left in the hands of local government areas. This will continue to haunt the education industry for a long time to come”.

    He added: “Payment of primary school teachers’ salaries and allowances as well as retirement benefits to retirees were not in the priority list of politicians in the local government areas.

    “Teachers were owed salary arrears for as long as one year. The incessant strikes experienced in those years led to compulsory massive drop from schools by our innocent and unassuming youths.”

    On the retirement age of teachers, the NUT chairman argued that “the more years a teacher spends on the job, the better he delivers his service to the learners, given the benefit of experiences garnered over the years and the wisdom of age”.

     

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • Ugwuanyi’s wife lifts Enugu rural folks

    Ugwuanyi’s wife lifts Enugu rural folks

    A major criticism of non-governmental organis-ations is the fact their operations are mostly sited in urban areas, and less so in rural areas where the critical intervention they offer is more expedient. But there is also another compelling reason why NGOs ought to train their attention on rural areas – a large majority of the country’s population resides there.

    A sense of just how severe the development deficit could be for rural dwellers emerged in the last few weeks as the Enugu State first lady, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, crisscrossed the state’s 17 local government areas to bring the social welfare programmes offered by the Ugo Touch of Life Foundation (U-TOLF) to residents of various rural communities.

    At each stop, an overwhelming number of locals thronged venues of the humanitarian outreach to access items donated by the foundation and services that often comprise screenings and treatment for medical ailments, entrepreneurship training with the accompanying seed capital, scholarship awards to indigent students and several other vital socio-economic undertakings. From the outset, the goal of the foundation established by Mrs Ugwuanyi was unmistaken. “It is our commitment to touch the lives of the vulnerable in 17 local government areas of the state. This pursuit is a care-giving job designed to touch the lives of the downtrodden,” she explained during her visit to Ohodo, a community in Igbo-Etiti council area.

    The convictions that underline her humanitarian endeavour is a fairly straightforward philosophy. “Learn to be compassionate to one another to attract the blessings of the Lord. The time is never ever insufficient for us to touch somebody’s life. Touch people’s lives to enable them to always remember you, love one another, don’t hate your fellow human being and endeavour to assist the vulnerable,” said the governor’s wife.

    And it’s just as well that such altruistic outlook syncs perfectly with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s move to often reach out to disadvantaged groups, the least developed zones and the vision to create more urban centres via extensive infrastructure upgrade in rural communities. It was this commitment that inspired the administration’s “every community, one project” initiative and simultaneous flag-off of 35 major projects across all the local government areas, late last year.

    Like her self-effacing husband, she is demure and unassuming, traits that are at odds with life in the spotlight. But she has nonetheless been inexorably thrust into public glare by fate. And how well she has acquitted herself, earning wide acclaim through her infectious grace, simplicity, generosity and remarkable work ethic! She has so far traversed numerous communities in councils such as Igbo-Etiti, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo, Udenu as well as Oji River, and despite the physical strain that such busy schedule exerts, remains unrelenting in her resolve.

    For instance, just a few months after her visit to Nkanu West for a mass deworming of pupils, she was back last week at the council. This time she implemented projects which somewhat eclipsed the equally spectacular deeds undertaken at her last visit. This includes the award of scholarship to six pupils of Community Central School, Obe, where she cut the ribbons to inaugurate lavatories and blocks of classroom built and renovated by her foundation and also distributed uniforms to the pupils, gestures which the member representing Nkanu West at the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Nkiru Ogbodo, described as the “first of its kind in the state”.

    A common refrain during such visits is how complementary her welfare-themed interventions has proved in relation to the government’s own programmes, and how supportive she has been of the governor’s objectives. The paramount ruler of Ngwo, Igwe Innocent Ayalogu, alluded to these in exultant terms when the first lady visited Udi Local Government Area in continuation of her socio-economic outreach. “The monumental development in Enugu State piloted by our dynamic and amiable governor leaves no one in doubt. We believe in the axiom that behind every successful man is the wife, the people’s governor is a grassroots,” he said at the medical outreach that featured screenings to detect medical ailments like eye defects, diabetes, cervical and breast cancer.

    Mrs. Nwanneka Agbo, wife of the Igbo-Etiti council chairman paid the governor’s wife a similar compliment during her visit. “This is an era where over 30 states of the federation are struggling to pay or simply cannot pay salaries. Enugu State is gradually but steadily reclaiming its past glory as a pacesetter in development, in peace, and in security. You deserve as much encomiums having proved beyond any shade of doubt to be a pillar of strength,” she noted, commending the first lady for her medical outreach which she said has helped in alleviating several health challenges that residents in their communities typically experience.

    But beyond the resounding applause the Enugu State first lady is earning for her selfless efforts to bridge social gaps, there is a gradual imbibing of the virtues she has tirelessly espoused among the populace. Wife of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area chairman, Mrs. Roseline Edeoga, hinted at this during the graduation ceremony of Sure Hope Empowerment Scheme, a foundation she fashioned after Mrs. Ugwuanyi’s U-TOLF.

     

    • Ani, a former editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is a senior research and communications aide to the governor of Enugu State

     

  • ICT varsity campus set to take off in Enugu

    ICT varsity campus set to take off in Enugu

    Ahead of the take-off of the Federal Government’s proposed University of Information and Communication Technology, members of its implementation committee have visited the Digital Bridge Institute Enugu designated as one of the campuses of the university.

    The proposed ICT University will be a multi-campus institution of the present Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) located in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Asaba and Yola.

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration had mandated the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu to set up a university of ICT in recognition of the rapid pace of Information Communications Technology (ICT) and the huge impact on the economy which country that harvests the technical talents and specialists it can engender,

    In fulfillment of Mr. President’s objective to set up University of ICT, so as to enhance learning environment and create millions of jobs through skilled ICT workforce, the Ministry of Communications set up an implementation committee, chaired by erudite Professor Julius Okojie, former Secretary of National University Commission (NUC) and Dr Amina Sambo Magaji as Secretary.

    Some members of the Implementation Committee for the Proposed ICT University conducted a physical assessment of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Enugu, one of the six ICT learning centers built by NCC in the country.

    Members of the Committee in the assessment team were Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Matthew A. Olaniyan and Mr Osita Okechuwu, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON).

    Speaking with journalists at the site, Okechukwu said the committee is expected to make a physical assessment of the facilities on site, including buildings, road infrastructure, and equipment.

    According to the VON DG, the committee will also determine the additional requirements for the University to meet with international best practices.

    The university is expected to take off from the next academic year.

  • Emeteole: Image of everything football- Christian Chukwu

    Emeteole: Image of everything football- Christian Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, has described late Kelechi Emeteole, also a former Super Sand Eagles coach, an “an image of everything football.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emeteole died in the early hours of Wednesday in a New Delhi hospital in India, where he was receiving treatment for throat cancer.

    Emeteole was aged 66.

    Chukwu, who spoke with NAN on Thursday in Enugu, said it was unfortunate for the former coach to depart for the great beyond when his wealth of experience was still needed.

    He added that “I am yet to recover from the shocking news of Emeteole’s death yesterday.

    “I am personally saddened with the development. Emeteole lived on and for football.

    “He was an epitome of everything football, who passionately love the game and gave his best and time to see it grow.

    “A good team player and one that understand the need for team-work, and to maintain a united team while as a player in the national team and in all the club sides he had handled.

    Chukwu and Emetole were former team mates in the then Green Eagles under the tutelage of late Yugoslavian coach, Tihomir “Tiko” Jelisavčić popularly known as “Father Tiko”

    He was also a member of the bronze winning squad at the 10th African Cup of Nations in Ethiopia in 1976.

    Emeteole won 17 caps for the national team between 1975 to 1977 and scored four goals.

    Popularly known as “Caterpillar”, Emeteole played alongside Idowu Otubusen, Samuel Ojebode, Zion Ogunfehinmi, Kunle Awesu, Muda Lawal, Joe Erico and others too numerous to mention.

    He also plied his trade with Rangers International FC of Enugu at the height of the club’s reign in Nigeria and the African continent.

    For his coaching career, Emeteole later served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles.

    Between 2007 and 2009, he was the Head Coach of the beach soccer national team, now known as the Super Sand Eagles.

    Emetiole also had coaching stints with notable clubs like: Spartan FC later known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, El-Kanemi of Maiduguri, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, and International FC and Rangers International of Enugu.

    He led Iwuanyanwu Nationale to the final of CAF Champions League in 2009.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.