The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • Enugu’s investment drive

    If there is a time any government at any level in Nigeria should wear a thinking cap, it is now. This is due to the current economic situation following the crash in the price of crude oil, which Nigeria has over depended on for years.

    People have often said that this is not best time to be a governor in Nigeria especially in the eastern states reputed to be civil service states. The present government in Enugu State was not oblivious of these stark realities. It was for this reason that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on assumption office set out a clear agenda and vision on how to govern the state with its little resources for the benefits of the people. Knowing that his government cannot do it alone, Ugwuanyi and his team recently honoured an investment summit invitation to Dublin, Ireland.

    The summit was organized by Metro Eireann which is run by Metro Publishing Consultancy Limited, the primary source of news and information on Ireland’s growing immigrant and ethnic communities.

    The governor’s first port of call was a visit to the Dublin Bus, Ireland’s gigantic and very successful transport company with a view to learning first hand, how the company is run so that the state government could replicate its success story in the Enugu State Transport Company.

    The visit also offered the governor and his team the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Guinness in Dublin. The visit needs to be put in context: Heineken, a Guinesss subsidiary has about the largest of its plants in Enugu. Yet, the large expanse of land acquired by the company in the state has been left unutilized for several years.

    For the two days that the investors gathered at Dublin City’s Westin Hotels venue of the event to brainstorm on investment opportunities, the Enugu State delegation laid bare the vast investment opportunities abounding in the state. As would be expected, the vist opened up a lot of vistas for Enugu government to enter into concrete and temporary agreements on mutual cooperation in the areas of agriculture, education, commerce and industry.

    Notable among the agreements was the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the authorities of the Dublin City University Ireland to promote mutual relations for the purposes of developing education in the state in a manner that would also offer value to the university. In the document text, ‘the Dublin City Unversity (DCU) and the Enugu agencies will enter into reciprocal relationship where the university would have to examine opportunities to broker relationships with funding agencies and other higher education institutes in conjunction with the Enugu government and other parties both nationally and internationally’.

    In the same vein, the former president of Ireland, Berie Ahern has pledged to assist the Enugu State government shore up its economy through the expansion of its revenue base, shop for investors and donor agencies just as scores of prospective investors have also held talks with state government officials.

    Furtherance to the successes recorded in the series of negotiations during the visit,  the President of the Dublin City University, Brian MacCraith and other officials of the university are billed to attend the Enugu State Economic Summit scheduled to take place in March this year in Enugu, the state capital.

    At the summit, the governor Ugwanyi was honoured for his outstanding leadership as governor of the state in the past months and as one time chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives committee on Marine Transport for eight years. He was honoured alongside the Irish professor and women rights activist, Fionnuala Waldron, former Charge d’Affaires of Nigerian Embassy in Ireland and a former Nigerian Ambassador, Mrs Benedict Onochie Amobi.

    Speaking at the award night, Governor Ugwuanyi told the gathering made of diplomats and serving and former Irish government officials as well as members of the Nigerian community that his 11-man delegation was in that foreign country specifically on investment drive in view of the scary situation in the global oil market which is currently making Nigeria’s economy sit on the edge. On the award, he told the gathering that he was dedicating it to the good people of Enugu State whom he described as true heroes of democracy in view of their support to his administration in a current stoic philosophy of belt-tightening to shore up the economy of the state.

    Nigerian Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires in Ireland, Olusola Iginla who witnessed the investment summit and the award night, commended the exemplary drive of the governor and other government officials during the three-day working visit, saying it is the needed disposition for all political office holders in Nigeria in view of the current economic gridlock staring the nation in the face.

    While Terence Modebe, a Nigerian-Irish is already working on a range of investments on agriculture in Adani, Enugu State as well as on other economic ventures in the state, the Enugu delegation held very crucial talks with other prospective investors who look good to storm Enugu shortly.

    On the government delegation to Ireland are three commissioners, that of Education, Prof. Uche Eze, commerce and industry, Sam Ogbu Nwobodo and Agriculture, Engr. Mike Ene who took samples of pineapples from Enugu’s Sna carlos farms to Dublin for the summit. Also on the trip was the governor’s special adviser on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu and deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Donatus Uzogbado, majority leader of the House, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, chairman of the economic advisory committee, Monsgnr Obiora Ike, among others.

    Overall, the governor and his team were not only business-like, they were focused and determined with eagerness to get result. With their disposition, it will not take long for the result of the visit to start manifesting in various sectors of the state’s economy.

    As would be expected, some mischievous online bloggers have already gone hay-wire with manipulated photographs alleging that Governor Ugwuanyi and his team visited Dublin for a jamboree. Considering the nature of Nigerian politics, such mudslinging and armchair criticism are to be expected. The governor and his team should not be deterred or disturbed; likewise the foreign investors billed to attend the Enugu Economic Summit in March.

     

    • Engr. Okezie wrote from Dublin, Ireland   

     

  • Arrested MASSOB protesters charged to court in Enugu

    Arrested MASSOB protesters charged to court in Enugu

    Enugu state police command stated Tuesday that the pro-Biafra protesters arrested in Enugu were mainly non residents and have been charged to court for unlawful assembly.

    According to police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, they were assembling at the Naira Triangle on Monday night.

    A statement by Amaraizu said: ‎”This attracted attention of the officers and men of the command and following the failure of the said persons to disperse after being so requested by the police.”

    A number were arrested in the process while others fled.

    The arrested persons include Nwangwu Friday m of 26 years, Chekwube Eneta m 28 years, Chigozie Mba 29 years, Isaiah Ogazi m 28 years, Onyekachukwu Uzoma 43 years, Onyemalu Princewill m 26 years, Israel Ani 18 years and Ugwuobu Kelechi 24 years.

    Investigations disclosed that many of them were from other states but were hired to be in Enugu for unlawful assembly and processions.

    However, the command promptly charged suspects to magistrate court 111 Enugu East in charge Number CME 121C/2016 on 19/1/16 for the offences as mentioned above.

    Meanwhile, when the case was called up and counts of the charge read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody while the case is adjourned to February 10.

    The command will leave no stone is left unturned in ensuring that Enugu state remains peaceful.

     

     

  • Enugu warns against pro-Biafra protests

    Enugu State government has distanced itself from today’s proposed protest by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    In a statement last Friday, MASSOB said it would resume its protests to press for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. It said the protests would not be limited to the Southeast, but would be worldwide.

    But the Enugu State government, through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Udeuhele, said:

    “The attention of the Enugu State government has been drawn to publications in national dailies that there was tension in the Southeast following an alleged threat by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB0 and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stage a protest in the states of the zone on Monday, January 18, over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi kanu.

    “The government hereby distances itself from the planned protest and, therefore, calls on the people to ignore the threat and go about their normal business as security measures have been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    “We appeal to parents and guardians to watch over their children and wards and see that they are not used for unlawful acts. We equally appeal to leaders in our communities, especially traditional rulers to ensure that their youths do not engage in any activity that could undermine the peace in the state.

    “Enugu state government will continue to ensure that lives and property of the citizens are protected so they can enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

  • Seven injured in Enugu auto crash

    Seven injured in Enugu auto crash

    The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed that seven people sustained injuries in a multiple auto crash at Ama Brewery Junction on the 9th Mile-Nsukka highway in Enugu State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said that the incident, which happened at about 7 p.m. on Friday, involved a trailer, Highlander jeep and two other cars.

    Amaraizu said, however, that no live was lost at the scene of the incident.

    “At least seven persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to different hospitals after the crash.

    “The team of rescuers included the police, Federal Road Safety Commission and some members of the public,’’ he stated.

    The PPRO said that the cause of the accident was yet to be determined, noting however, that the police had commenced investigation.

  • ‘Why Enugu people should pay taxes’

    The need for Enugu State to support Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s vision of transformation through prompt payment of taxes is embedded in the New Year message of faith and renewed hope.

    It was a humble beginning and an inspirational experience full of hope, adoration and dedication to God for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, government officials and civil servants, on the first working day of the year, when a New Year prayer session was held to commit the activities of Enugu State Government to the hands of God in commemoration of the feast of the New Year.

    The event, which attracted notable Men of God and top government functionaries, provided an apt opportunity for the governor to appreciate the people of the state and renew their hope in God and the ability of his administration to bring meaningful development to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry. It was also an opportunity to pay homage to God for making it possible for them to see the New Year and appreciate His goodness and mercies to mankind.

    The governor while addressing the people stated that “by bringing us into the New Year, God has indeed given us another chance to not only improve our lives but to rededicate ourselves to the building of a secure and viable society for the benefit of all and sundry”.

    He added that his administration had presented the 2016 Budget where it articulated its plans and visions to entrench stability and consolidate the current tempo of development in the state, promising not to allow the prevailing harsh economic climate in the country prevent it from attaining the lofty objectives that were set out for the benefit of the people.

    As a man with absolute faith in God who makes prayers his watchword, the governor told the people that his administration can only achieve its objectives through prayers as well as their active participation and support and called on them (people) to remain unrelenting in their prayers for God’s grace especially now that the economic outlook of the country remains bleak and unpredictable.

    According to him: “We further solicit your continued support for all the efforts and plans of government to bring sustainable development to all sectors of the economy and to all corners of Enugu State despite the daunting challenges of the day.”

    The governor ended his address by assuring the people of his determination to take Enugu State to desirable heights through the help of God.

    Prior to the governor’s address, the climax of New Year prayer session was preceded by an inspirational sermon delivered by the Director of Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace, CIDJAP, Monsignor Prof. Obiora Ike, who stood in for the Archbishop of the Enugu Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma.

    In a well thought-out homily, entitled “By myself I can do nothing”, Prof. Ike called on the people to have faith in God “as a gift from our Creator that leads us through in all our endeavours in life”. He appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for his adherence to things of God since he was saddled with the responsibility of governing Enugu State. He said that the state is now founded on faith, emphasizing that it was this faith that will sustain the state in this challenging period.

    The Catholic Priest urged the people to begin the New Year with prayers and give the governor the maximum support to do God’s Will.

    On attitude to work, the Clergy’s New Year message was that civil servants should make accountablity, sincerity and diligence to duty their watchword to justify the wage they earn at the end of every month. He equally urged them to be good players and desist from engaging in acts that would undermine the overall interest of the state.

    The Monsignor advised government establishments in the country to pay attention on revenue generation as a way of withstanding the present downturn in nation’s economy. He enjoined Nigerians to pay their taxes to be able to enjoy more services of the government in this harsh economic situation.

    He said, “If Enugu State is seven million in population with high number of civil servants and if the budget goes 80% for recurrent expenditure, there is problem in our hands. That’s why it is good to increase the budget of our time and that is why people should agree to pay taxes. There is no way you can run a state without people paying for the utility they use. People should agree to pay taxes,” he said, adding, “Those that are in charge of taxes in the past will come and urge you to pay tax; they will tell you that you are supposed to pay fifty thousand naira for tax but give us twenty thousand naira or five thousand. If you give him five thousand naira, he will sign for you to go. You did not pay fifty thousand naira, he has kept back five thousand naira and the state suffers. And people will be there asking the government to give us road, give us water, give us electricity etc. Pay your tax because Jesus paid tax, because it is written in the book of Matthew. Jesus shows good example for us to follow.”

    He also condemned many abuses of power by those at the helm of the affairs of government, urging them to build a strong process of governance devoid of wastes and corruption.

    According to him, “I appeal to all in governance in Enugu State, let us take as a New Year resolution, a stronger, successful and suitable governance style where there must be accountability”.

    From the foregoing, it is believed that the New Year prayers portend a sign of good beginning of 2016. It shows that Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. It has also demostrated the governor’s implicit faith and trust in God as the light through which his sound visions, remarkable achievements recorded last year and other tireless efforts to advance development and alleviate the suffering of people of the state who he had tagged the true heroes of democracy, could be achieved.

    The people should therefore, continue to support the governor, and as good citizens, do all they can to see that Enugu State moves forward to the glory of God.

    –Amoke, a media aide to Governor Ugwuanyi writes from Independence Layout, Enugu.

  • Enugu gov appoints LG caretaker committees

    Enugu gov appoints LG caretaker committees

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has appointed caretaker committees for the Local Government Councils in the state.

    The caretaker committees were inaugurated yesterday and charged by the governor to operate within their respective council areas. The governor also directed they and their deputies to brace for a governance style embedded in strict fiscal discipline, considering the peculiar situation of the councils.

    Emphasising the imperative of the new helmsmen domiciling in their local government council areas, the governor told them that the era of running the local government system from hotels was over.

    The governor reminded them that the government and the people of Enugu State expect good results from them.

    He thanked the outgone chairmen and the councillors for services rendered in their respective capacities, and wished them well in their future endeavours.

    Ugwuanyi also thanked the heads of personnel management of local governments in the state and treasurers in the council areas for their services during the period under review.

    He disclosed that the swearing-in of caretaker councillors would take place on Monday, January 11, 2016 at the various local government council areas by the local government council caretaker chairmen.

    The governor retained three of the former local government council chairmen, Prince Cornelius Nnaji of Enugu East Local Government, Mr Afam Okereke of Nkanu West Council Area and Cornnel Onwubuya of

    Uzo-Uwani Local Government Council.

    The Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, thanked the governor for constituting an amiable team made up of people with pedigree and integrity.

    “When you look at the team that assembled here, Dear Governor, the outcome validates your sleepless night before their selection,” he said.

    The commissioner called on the appointees to be mindful of their obligations in their various council areas. He gave insights of what they would meet in their various council areas in respect of duties, responsibilities and financial debts.

    Speaking on behalf of the sworn-in caretaker council chairmen and their deputies, Prof Rose Onah, Chairperson of Nsukka Local Government Area, thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state. “The chairmen and the deputies are very grateful to you for finding us worthy to occupy this seats of responsibilities and to contribute our own quota to your administration towards the growth and development of Enugu State.”

    Onah promised that they would not betray the governor but strive to promote the good and aspirations of the state.

    She added that notwithstanding the current enormous financial challenges in the country, being chosen among contenders is worth thanking God for. She observed that the task of Local Government Councils in respect of financing in the state is enormous, adding that she had also heard about bailout, reminding the governor of the need to bail them out.

    She promised the willingness of the team to strive towards pulling the local government system up and out of glitches and odds.

    Other chairmen of the local council caretaker committees include Ekwe Chidi from Aninri, Igwe Isaac Chukwudi (Enugu North), Sunday Ugwu (Enugu South) and Fred Ezenwa (Ezeagu). Others are: Malachy Agbo (Igbo-etiti),

    Uwakwe Ezeja (Igboeze North), Fidelis Odoh (Igboeze South) and Benjamin Edeoga (Isiuzo), among others.

  • Enugu APC faults 2016 budget

    Enugu APC faults 2016 budget

    The Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the proposed 2016 “Budget of Stability and Consolidation” as prone to excessive taxation.

    A statement yesterday by the state Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kate Offor, noted that rather than recover the funds stolen under his predecessor Sullivan Chime’s administration, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was embarking on excessive taxation of the poor indigenes to fund the budget. The party urged Ugwuanyi to recover the stolen funds rather than overtax the people.

    The statement reads: “In reviewing the 2016 budget estimate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State notes:

    “After a cursory glance, we challenge our dear governor on why, instead of recovering looted funds, he is poised to excessive taxation of the poor indigenes and residents, as underlined in his budget address.

    “He wants to raise N18, 882,415,000 via taxation instead of making efforts to recover billions allegedly stolen by the Sullivan Chime regime…”

  • Enugu hosts last edition of 2015 Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce

    Enugu hosts last edition of 2015 Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce

    The coal city of Enugu, last Friday, hosted the last edition of Globacom’s 18-week premium music show, Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert.

    It turned out to be a grand ending to the nationwide concert as it was attended by a massive crowd which comprised Glo subscribers, government officials, businessmen, school leavers and students.

    Leading acts in Nigeria’s entertainment scene were on hand at the venue of the show, Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu, to entertain the crowd. They included contemporary highlife king, Flavour, Marvin Records’ female artiste, Di’Ja, and the “sekem” singer, MC Galaxy.

    In addition to the top musicians, there were also performances by up-and-coming artistes within the Enugu metropolis and the neighbouring towns who Glo gave an opportunity to showcase their talent. The budding artistes who performed at the concert were Ceaser, Prince Leo, Mr. Lin, Leo H, Formula, Chidexy, Stumer, Snperkay, B Shine and a female dancer, Peggy, who dazzled the audience with her dance steps.

    Important persons who attended the show included the Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Hon. Onah Solomon Izuchukwu, the Divisional CEO of Interswitch, Mr. Mike Ogbalu III, Mr. Dozie Okolo, a top business man  and his wife, Mrs. Ifeoma Okolo.

    The Enugu show left unforgettable memories in the minds of the audience.

    Recounting her experience after the show, Miss Louisa Chika, a student of the Enugu campus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka,  said that she felt “fulfilled coming out to be part of this show. It was worth the while and I consider it as the biggest Christmas gift from Globacom to the people of Enugu State.”

    For MC Galaxy who gave a superlative performance at the concert, it was praises for the next generation network. He said, “Globacom cannot imagine the extent of the goodwill this show has generated for it among the people. The goodwill cannot be quantified and I keep on asking myself: ‘why is Glo doing this?’ But I came to the conclusion that Globacom loves Nigeria and her people. The platform is too huge, and any artiste who has the opportunity to use this platform to reach out to his or her fans cannot but be eternally grateful to Globacom.”

    The Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert started in Ibadan on August 29, and the show was held in several cities such as Port Harcourt, Benin, Awka, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Abeokuta, Ijebu ode, Egbeda, Surulere, Victoria Island, Aba, Owerri, Anyigba, Nsukka, Makurdi and Uyo before coming to Enugu.

    The show was organised by Globacom to delight its teeming subscribers across the country.

     

  • Anambra, Enugu, Kogi in peace meeting over oil wells

    Since the discovery of crude oil deposits in the boundary areas of Anambra, Enugu and Kogi states, the affected communities have not known peace. Members of these communities in the areas have taken up arms against one another as the states lay claim and counter-claim over which state the oil wells belong to.

    The building of a private refinery, the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc owned by Anambra State-born business men at the area did not assuage the people. Rather, it escalated the crisis as Anambra and Kogi states engage each other in fierce clashes.

    The three oil-producing states met recently and have resolved to take steps aimed at addressing the continuous oil-related crisis existing among their communities.

    Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu recently which was tagged “Inaugural Meeting of Peace, Truth and Reconciliation” and which featured various stakeholders from the communities, they affirmed that their various communities would make good use of the oil in the area.

    In his opening remark, the immediate past Special Adviser to the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, regretted that the communities across the states have under-utilised the “blessings

    from God” in the form of oil in their lands.

    According to him, it was unfortunate that there is no peace existing among the oil-producing states, adding that the various stakeholders should put their differences aside and work for the good of one another.

    His words: “We are given a blessing by the presence of oil in our communities and we are trying to throw away, to scatter this blessing. It is not proper. So, we are gathered here today to bring ourselves back to that blessing. To work in unity, tranquillity and understanding so that we can actually feed from that blessing.

    “If we understand the meaning and benefits the host communities have individually and collectively, then we wouldn’t have been having one form of misunderstanding or another.”

    In a related speech, the President of Host Communities of Nigeria (a body uniting communities with oil and gas deposits in Nigeria); Prince Mike Emuh emphasised that without peace, nothing meaningful can be achieved from these communities of Anambra, Enugu and Kogi states. He assured that his group will ensure that lasting peace will be realised shortly.

    Prince Emuh further urged the government(s) of the affected states to put more efforts so as to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in these communities.

    Also speaking, a representative of Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Mr. Marcel Ifejiofor, expressed the commitment of the companies to better the lives of members of the host communities.

    While pointing out that the oil companies cannot operate successfully without the help of the host communities, he called on the various communities to play their part to bring about peaceful co-existence.

    “We need encouragement and support from local communities for a safe and secure environment; and encouragement for enough investments through which these communities could be developed.

    “So, we strongly believe that our company will bring heavy investment to these

    communities,” he said.

    Pointing out that the usual factors responsible for persistent problems between oil companies and host communities is lack of understanding and communication breakdown, he said the company will do all within its powers to live up to expectations.

    “We believe that we are going to empower the communities with scholarships and various other rural projects to aid mutual co-existence,” he said.

    Speaking to newsmen in an interview, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Anambra State Governor, Hon. Ngozi Okoyo revealed that the government of Chief Willy Obiano has been doing all within its powers to enthrone peaceful co-existence within these communities. She noted that Governor Obiano’s administration has committed resources and time, all geared towards achieving peace among the communities.

    Furthermore, another delegate representing Enugu State, Mr. Mike Nwakife advocated for an alternate means of conflict resolution for peace to reign. He frowned at the attempt of some people to hurt others or even take others’ lives over the misunderstanding among the communities as, according to him, the Igbo culture and tradition forbid such.

    He further regretted that Enugu State is being taken for granted even though the state hosts a large amount of oil in the region, especially in Iga community. According to him, none of the professionals from the state are featured in the employment schedule of the oil companies, adding that such act is totally uncalled for.

    While cautioning that the state wouldn’t resolve to any violent means for it to gain recognition, he said for peace to reign among the three states there was need for fair treatment and equity.

    In his submission, a representative from Anambra State, Sir Kingsley Nnabuenyi, said there had been series of unresolved issues among some of the feuding communities outside of oil. He said that there had been communal problems existing in the past before the issue of oil came up.

    “Oil became an escalating factor. So, we have to look at the root of the problem and resolve these things historically first,” he added.

    At the end of the meeting, a committee was set up to devise a means of putting an end to the oil-related crisis. Members of the committee were drawn from the three affected states and the executive of the Host Communities of Nigeria. The committee was given two months to conclude its assignments.

  • Enugu approves LG caretaker committees

    •IMT to become degree awarding institute  

    Stakeholders from across Enugu State yesterday approved the setting up of Local Government Caretaker Committees for the 17 local council areas in the state pending the time adequate budgetary allocations would be provided in the 2016 state appropriation for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

    The stakeholders who gathered at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, gave the approval after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi briefed them on various programmes and projects of his administration, including the issue of the pending local government polls since the tenure of the local government councils will expire on January 4, 2016.

    Consequently, the governor announced at the expanded meeting that “in order to avoid vacuum, on 4th January, 2016, the local government caretaker committees will be constituted and this is in keeping with the extant laws of Enugu State.

    “Whatever we are doing will be in consonance with the Local Government Laws”, he told the political and opinion leaders, including Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past governor of the state, Chief Sullivan Chime, former Information Minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, among very many others.

    Also at the meeting, the governor announced to the stakeholders that the state-owned Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu would be made a degree-awarding institution to place it at the same progression level with similar institutions elsewhere in the country established in the 1970s.

    IMT was established in 1973 and its present management and the state government in a meeting a few days ago agreed that it was long overdue to become a degree-awarding institution.

    The governor’s announcement of the move yesterday was greeted with a resounding applause as he also enunciated plans to rehabilitate the institution.