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Tag: Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

  • Osinbajo berates gospel preachers over corruption

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has berated gospel preachers for failing to lend support to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war by failing to preach against the scourge.

    Speaking at the 30th National Biennial Conference of the Students Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria holding in Enugu, Osinbajo
    noted that preachers were preoccupied with preaching prosperity rather than righteousness.

    “Very rarely do you hear our preachers talk about corruption from their pulpits. If a nation is not righteous nothing will help it.”

    Osinbajo said that the problem with Nigeria was neither ethnicity nor religion but systemic corruption.

    He said that corruption had been so entrenched in the country that if you dare challenge it, you will be in the minority.

    He, however, challenged the youths to change the narrative and make the difference by checking the impunity of those that had stolen the resources of the country.

    “Our problem in this country is not ethnicity or religion; it is not about Christians or Muslims. Our problems are the same wherever you go in this country.

    “The story of our country is about good and evil. It is about those that have left us in this condition by stealing our common resources.

    “Do not let anyone deceive you.”

    The acting president challenged members of SCM to ensure that the movement becomes one of the tools that will move the country forward.

    “You should understand that our country can be delivered by people like you.”

    According to him, young Christians have special and distinct roles to play in the transformation of the country which is superior to those of other sets of people.

    “All of the great nations of the world were transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not a gospel that tickles people’s imaginations or dwells on prosperity.

    “It is not a gospel that fits your fancy. It is a gospel that teaches that righteousness exalts a nation.”

    Osibanjo appealed to Nigerians to stand against the plundering of the nation’s resources as well as support the anti-corruption initiative of the Federal Government, irrespective of party affiliations.

    Earlier in his address, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State commended the organisers of the event for a successful convention.

    Ugwuanyi said that Christians needed such events in order to seek spiritual reformation and renaissance, considering the situation in the world.

    He said that Christians also needed to contribute their quota toward promoting good living among Nigerians.

    Ugwuanyi urged Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and for the peace of the nation.

    In an address of welcome, the National President of SCM, Rev. Eric Ighalo, commended Osinbajo for honouring their invitation.

    Ighalo said that the conference was about active involvement of youths in reversing the problems that had held the country down through dialogue, collaboration and contention.

  • Group nominates Ugwuanyi for ‘Best Governor Award’

    An Abuja-based group, Security Watch Africa, has nominated Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as the “Best Governor on Security Matters’’ and for “Best Security and Safety Conscious State Government’’ in Africa.

    Mr Patrick Agbambu, Managing Director of the group also disclosed that the Police Command in Enugu State was nominated for the “Best Pro-active Police Command in West and Central Africa’’ award.

    Agbambu, who presented the letters of nomination in Enugu on Friday, said that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, was also presented nomination letters for two awards.

    He said the awards to the commissioner were for “Best Conflicts Resolution Police Chief in Africa’’ and “Golden Star Award for Exemplary National Security Service in West and Central Africa’’.

    Agbambu noted that a survey conducted by independent security observers, revealed that Ugwuanyi’s administration had done well in the area of massive support to security agencies.

    He also noted that the Police command in Enugu had done well in proactive and community-oriented policing.

    “The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, was found worthy on his proactiveness, responsiveness and effective engagement with the command’s public and commitment to the protection of lives and property in the state in 2017/2018,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi’s swears in panel members on monarch’s death

    Danmallam, who received the letters on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for seeing and recognising Ugwuanyi’s modest contribution and the command’s officers and men for ensuring the safety and security in the state and by extension the country.

    “The reward for exemplary hard work is more work in order to get close to perfection in what we do daily for the betterment of the society.

    “I will dedicate all these nominations to the gallant officers and men of the command who are working tirelessly daily.

    “I will also dedicate it to the state government, sister security agencies, organisations and individuals that have assisted the command and its personnel to attain this height,’’ Danmallam said.

    Amaraizu also received a nomination letter for “Effective Police Public Relations in West and Central Africa’’, while DSP Ekeleme Chidobe, received a nomination letter as “Best Anti-Crime Police Officer in Nigeria’’.

    The 15th edition of the Africa Security Watch awards and conference will hold between Nov.6 and Nov. 8 in Banjul, Gambia.

    NAN

  • Rotary honours Ugwuanyi

    The Rotary International District 9142, Nigeria, has honoured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with a “Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance” for his outstanding performance in office.

    The prestigious award was presented to the governor at a colourful dinner in his honour, after the installation ceremony of the 2nd District Governor of the Club,  Rotarian Dr. Dan Ajawara, held at The Base Event Centre, Enugu.

    Presenting the award, the newly installed District Governor, Dr. Ajawara, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “a humble, humane, unassuming and visionary leader, who leads by example”, adding that it was based on his sterling performance and leadership qualities that “we are honouring him today”.

    Ajawara noted that it was rare for Rotarians to come together to honour a sitting governor, disclosing that they are apolitical.

    He stressed that Ugwuanyi as a Rotarian and governor has kept faith with the ideals of the Rotary Club through his people-centered programmes that “touch people’s lives in so many ways”, saying: “The people have unanimously agreed he will continue leading them”.

    According to him, “Rotary is not into politics. We take note of the people’s feelings and that is why we are honouring him today with this Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance. The Coal City experience is really imparting positively on the people. We hope that this honour will spur you to do more”.

    Ugwuanyi, who appreciated the District for finding him worthy of conferment with its highest award, described the gesture as a great honour.

    He paid special respect to the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by Chief Emeka Eze and other dignitaries at the event and “heartily congratulated” Dr. Ajawara on his installation as the 2nd District Governor.

    Ugwuanyi pointed out that as a Rotarian and former President of the club in Emene, he was “very much conversant with the aims, objectives and the ideals of the Rotary Club as well as the excitement and joy that accompany the installation of a new District Governor”.

    He, therefore, expressed optimism that Dr. Ajawara would succeed as he “has all it takes to lift the District to greater heights in the service of humanity”.

    The governor used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to continue to promote the ideals of the 4-Way Test of the noble club and bring them to bear on his personal life and discharge of his duties “as the Chief Servant of the people of Enugu State”.

    “We remain grateful to the Rotary Club for its many years of partnership and assistance to the Enugu State government in helping to spread the message of hope, comradeship and solidarity among all classes of people especially through the provision of communal facilities and attending to the needs of the poor.

    “While also thankful for the decision to host this historic occasion in Enugu, we wish to pledge our continued support and cooperation towards the attainment of our common objectives and the noble ideals of the club,” he added.

  • Ugwuanyi’s swears in panel members on monarch’s death

    ENUGU State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has sworn in a seven-man judicial commission of inquiry to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the recent civil disturbances that occurred in Ogbozinne Akpugo Autonomous Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Stephen Nwatu, and destruction of property. Swearing in members of the commission chaired by a retired judge, Justice Ben Agbata, at the Government House, Enugu, Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, stated that the exercise was in keeping with his promise to set up a judicial panel “to determine the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances and to mak appropriate recommendations.”

    The governor added that it was also “in pursuant to section 4(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004”. Other members of the commission include; Prof. Damian U. Opata; Barr. Chudi O. Ozokolo; Prof. Anselm Onyimonyi Esq; Clara Ngozi Agbo; Kennis Ngene (secretary) and Onochie Ngwu Obinna Esq (counsel to the commission). The governor, while expressing confidence that members of the commission would deploy their wealth of experience, knowledge, integrity and competencies in the discharge of their duties effectively and satisfactorily, disclosed that the panel has 12 weeks to submit its report.

    Responding, Justice Agbata, on behalf of other members, thanked Ugwuanyi for the opportunity to serve the state and pledged to discharge their duties efficiently to the satisfaction of the public. It would be recalled that the governor upon the receipt of the news of the incident, condemned the act that led to the monarch’s untimely death and promised that his administration would set up a panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding his demise to ensure that the culprits were brought to justice, and make recommendations that would deter future occurrence of such dastardly act. Similarly, the state’s commissioner for chieftaincy matters, Barr. Emeka Okeke had declared that the state government “will not fold its arms and watch lives and property of its citizens being destroyed with brazen impunity.”

  • Enugu builds N18m physiotherapy centre for Rangers FC

    Enugu State Government has approved N18 million for the building of a physiotherapy and fitness centre for Rangers International FC, Enugu.

    The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in the state, Joseph Udedi, told the News men on Monday in Enugu that the centre would be sited at the Rangers’ Camp in Emene, Enugu.

    According to him, the sports equipment company from overseas has started installing the machines at the centre.

    “Before the end of next week, the installation will be completed and the company will train local technicians that will take care of the equipment after the installation,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Rangers’ Olusesi breaks VAT Wonder Goal Polls record in historic win

    Udedi lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the project because an injury could sideline a footballer and his trainer for life if adequate medicare was not available.

    “The equipment includes ankle training machine, elbow training machine, sweat treading machine, bicycle timer equipment and body rollers.

    “There is also physiotherapy first aid box, other physiotherapy medical consumables and various massaging machines,’’ he said.

  • Face of governance in Enugu

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi assumed office in 2015, at a very difficult time, when the nation witnessed not only severe economic recession but also a change of government at the centre, with all the bureaucratic intricacies associated with such transition. Three years after, Ugwuanyi has been able to lead the state through the economic crunch to an enviable height with the meagre resources at his disposal. He has provided effective leadership and accelerated infrastructural development in the state, concentrating more in the rural areas than in the urban centres, through his administration’s rural development initiatives.

    Also, he has been able to bring governance to the doorstep of the masses, ensuring that the peace and security of the state took their pride of place as veritable ingredients for rapid development and good governance. The Ugwuanyi administration has in the last three years spent over N45 billion on road construction and rehabilitation across the length and breadth of the state, covering about 300 kilometres.

    The foregoing facts were recently confirmed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who described Ugwuanyi as “an established leader who is being celebrated widely because of his closeness to the people and effective delivery of dividends of democracy in spite of the nation’s economic challenges”.

    Dogara, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the assertion when members of the Enugu State caucus in the National Assembly hosted Ugwuanyi and endorsed him for a second term.  added that the governor is “a very nice man to a fault”, and has “done so exceptionally well in office that members of the National Assembly in particular and the people of Enugu State in general are exceedingly proud of what he has achieved”.

    No doubt, Ugwuanyi’s uncommon leadership style has unified leaders and people of the state, irrespective of political, cultural, social and religious differences, ending the hydra-headed issue of dichotomy.  Through his administration’s peace and grassroots development initiatives, the governor has initiated and prosecuted well-thought-out people-oriented programmes germane to the future of the citizens of the state.

    Besides effective provision of critical infrastructure and remarkable achievements in other sphere of development, Ugwuanyi has through his human capital empowerment programmes and special interventions aimed at improving the living standard of the lowly, long neglected and under-privileged, ensured that dwellers who had been hitherto denied access to basic amenities, qualitative and affordable education, healthcare delivery, among others, are remembered.

    For instance, in line with his administration’s educational policy and the need to discover and assist under-privileged intellectuals, especially in the rural areas to further their studies, the governor recently granted scholarship to 340 indigent students of the state’s Polytechnic in Iwollo, Ezeagu Local Government Area. A few weeks after, the same gesture was extended to 340 students of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, totalling 680 students within one month. The scholarship which covers the beneficiaries’ tuition fees for four years is spread across the 17 local government areas of the state. And so in the next four years, the state government would have produced 680 graduates in various fields of engineering technology with a multiplier effect of advancing development in the state and the nation at large. It would also promote the harnessing of their potentials for knowledge transfer, economic growth and self-reliance.

    Also, Ugwuanyi recently extended his milk of human kindness to 95 widows of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army, residing in Abakpa and Awkunanaw barracks, Enugu, who are predominantly non-Igbos, through a N19.6 million empowerment grant to assist them start businesses of their choice to ameliorate the hardship they had encountered as a result of the death of their husbands. This singular act, is not only heart-warming but has also gone a long way in pulling the widows and their families out from the shackles of socio-economic degradation, providing them with the ample opportunity to transform their lives for the better.

    Expectedly, the gesture role has earned the governor commendations from stakeholders from all walks of life, such as the Nigerian Army, ex-servicemen and a popular Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, who recently re-emphasized the significance of the act towards the promotion of love and national unity.

    Another commendable legacy of the Ugwuanyi administration is the recent integration of faith-based organizations’ facilities into the Free Maternal and Child Health programme of the state to deliver more medical services in the rural areas. Pregnant women and children under five, who hitherto have no means of treating their health challenges, can now access free medical treatments at the faith-based organizations that have health centres and hospitals in their areas, courtesy of the state government’s new programme. This will in turn reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality rate in the state.

    Workers of the state have been receiving the salaries regularly on the 23rd of every month, even at the time 27 states could not pay. This policy footing is to help reactivate the state’s economy for all-round growth, considering that Enugu is a civil service state. As a workers-friendly governor, his administration last year introduced the 13th month salary for all civil servants both at the state and local government levels as Christmas bonus.  There is a N10 million “one community, one project” scheme which has ensured that communities that had never experienced any government presence in the past benefited, accordingly.

    In keeping with its commitment to a conducive environment of learning that would guarantee qualitative education for the children, the administration through the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) constructed and renovated over 300 primary and secondary classroom blocks across the state. Interestingly, contract for the construction and reconstruction of another set of 208 structures, worth of over N2.5 billion was recently awarded by the state government. It is also pertinent to note that the administration has recruited the highest number of primary and secondary school teachers ever in the history of the state, among others.

    Not left out is Enugu State First Lady, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, who has also kept faith with her husband’s legacies through her pet-project, Ugo-Touch of Life Foundation, established to empower and avail indigent members of the society, especially the women, children, aged and other vulnerable groups, access to adequate free medical attention and other sundry humanitarian interventions.

     

    • Amoke writes from Enugu State.

  • Reps member to pay WAEC, NECO fees for 1000 students

    The member representing Nsukka/Igboeze south Federal Constituency, Dr. Pat Asadu has announced plans to pay registration fees of West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) for 1000 students.

    The initiative, which is part of empowerment programme for his constituents, will benefit the 2018/2019 SS3 students.

    Asadu made this known during an on-going quiz competition for students across the 41 schools in the constituency.

    Speaking on behalf of Asadu, one of the coordinators of the quiz competition, Mr. Ogbuja Ogbu said it was a preparatory ground for students throughout secondary schools in Nsukka/Igboeze south federal constituency for the love and interest the lawmaker has for education.

    He noted that Asadu would also pick the bill for text books for the 1000 students in core subjects of English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Information Technology (ICT) among others, while all the participating schools, students and teachers shall be appreciated with participating awards to be announced by the lawmaker.

    He announced that the grand finale of the competition comes up on June 30th 2018 where the 1000 students would emerge to smile home with the WAEC/NECO examination scholarship of both senior and Junior secondary schools in the 41 schools of Nsukka/Igboeze south federal constituency.

    Also speaking, Mr. Chineme Onyeke, one of the aides to Dr. Asadu said that the lawmaker was not reneging in his commitment to education as a means of empowering the young ones.

    Read Also: WAEC results ready in 45 days — Spokesman

    ‘He is constructing four classroom blocks at both primary and post primary schools, health posts, solar street lights in all the communities while arrangements have reached advanced stage for graduates on agriculture training overseas in which 1000 graduates of the constituency would benefit,” he said.

    Reacting to the gesture, a Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Emmanuel Jonathan, while commending the lawmaker for the gesture , said that it would no doubt relieve the parents of the beneficiaries the pains of sourcing for the money to pay the WAEC dues.

    He urged Asadu to continue with his people oriented programmes, adding that such gestures would complement the good works being carried out by the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

  • I am overwhelmed by our 3 years scorecard – Gov. Ugwuanyi

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says he is overwhelmed by the three-year scorecard his administration recorded under harsh financial periods.

    Ugwuanyi said this when he addressed the people of Enugu State during the 2018 Democracy Day at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Tuesday

    He said that the promises he made during his inauguration on May 29, 2015 had looked vague and unrealisable due to the huge debt profile of the state as at the time.

    The governor, however, said that with aggressive revenue drive and prudent management of available resources, his administration had held unto its dreams.

    “The laudable goals we have achieved appeared impossible at that time owing to the realities on ground: huge debt profile of the state pressing down our neck and huge salaries and pension arrears confronting us.

    “All these were in the midst of economic crunch and depleted revenue from the centre. Our promises then appeared vague, but we held unto our lofty dreams,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi said that the determination to succeed prompted his administration to modernise the revenue collection process of the state as well as block leakages.

    “Following these reforms, our internally generated revenue hit N22 billion in 2017, the highest by Enugu in a single year since 1999.

    “Today, the results we have on ground and the progress we have made in the last three years bear us out that with God all things are possible,” he said.

    The governor said that his administration had set out to build a state where security and peace were the order of the day.

    He said that apart from partnering with the security agencies to create a peaceful environment, his administration was also getting the youths engaged through job creation.

    He said that the health sector of the state had come alive with the construction of district hospitals and training of 400 volunteer workers for health intervention programmes in rural communities.

    The governor said that doctors, nurses and allied workers had also been employed in the sector.

    Ugwuanyi said that the agricultural sector of the state had also been active with several rice farmers receiving assistance from the government, which had improved yield in the state.

    He expressed gratitude for what he called the overwhelming acceptance of his administration by residents of the state.

    “As we embark on the last lap of this tenure, be rest assured that we will never let you down. With God ordering our steps, we will continue to put efforts at ensuring that the common good remains our watch-word.

    “Let me on your behalf congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the National Assembly, the judiciary and other state governors on this occasion,” Ugwuanyi said.

    NAN reports that the highpoints of the event were parade by the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, musical renditions and cultural displays.

    The theme of the celebration in the state was ‘Festival of Gratitude and Praise’.

  • 2019: Ugwuanyi, good governance and NULGE’s endorsement

    Few days ago, workers in the 17 local government councils in Enugu State, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and LG pensioners, during a solidarity rally, unanimously endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as their candidate for the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    At the colorful rally, which was attended by the National President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, the workers and retirees in an address delivered by the union’s state President, Comrade Kenneth Ugwueze, disclosed that the endorsement was “in appreciation of peace and good governance in Enugu State” and the governor’s “undeterred friendly disposition to labour”.

    They stated that Ugwuanyi “in less than three years in office wiped away our tears and assured us of a better future”, declaring: “We have come out today as the product of that mandate to overwhelmingly endorse you as our candidate for the 2019 governorship election in Enugu State”.

    The NULGE’s endorsement, which coincided with Gov. Ugwuanyi’s 54th birthday anniversary, was also seen as a birthday gift to the governor.

    NULGE National President, Comrade Khaleel, while upholding the stance of the union’s state chapter, described Ugwuanyi as a leader with “huge humility, vision and comradeship”.

    Similarly, the road transport workers under the auspicious of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) recently endorsed Ugwuanyi for re-election for peace and good governance.

    Born on March 20, 1964, Gov. Ugwuanyi turned 54 on Tuesday this week. The governor’s 54th birthday provided him with another opportunity to show, charity, love, care, solidarity and compassion with the lowly and downtrodden through his philanthropic gestures – a constant moral obligation in appreciation of God’s goodness and amazing grace to him as “Nwaogbenye”.

    No wonder the goodwill, acceptance and tremendous support he enjoys have remained unbeatable in the history of the state. He is well known for his open-door policy, inclusive leadership, and close contact with the masses.

    One is therefore, glad to note that the governor has in less than two and a half years in office received many commendations for his good works and uninfluenced endorsements for re-election in 2019 from virtually all major segments of the society, including leaders of religious institutions, chieftains of the opposition political parties, the state and local government workforce, traders, road transport workers, pensioners and artisans.

    His milestone feats in the provision of massive critical infrastructure across the state have been acknowledged and applauded by friends and foes alike.

    He has thus impacted positively on the lives of the people, especially the rural dwellers, rekindling their confidence in participatory democracy.

    For example, he has executed more landmark road projects in the rural areas and satellite towns, where the majority of the people reside, than in the urban centres. Road projects are on-going in places like Abakpa, Emene, Eha-Amufu, Amurri, Akpugo, Coal Camp, Ngenevu, Iva Valley, and so on.

    It is also on record that the state government has spent over N40 billion on road construction and rehabilitation across the state in the last two and a half years, covering over 240 kilometres.

    Few weeks ago, Ugwuanyi demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that meaningful development reached every nook and cranny of the state with the disbursement of N2.25 billion to 450 autonomous communities. That was the first tranche of the N10 million earmarked for every community in the state to execute development projects of their choice.

    The uniqueness and excitement of the scheme, christened “One Community, One Project,” the first of its kind in the state, are that the choice of the projects and their execution are left entirely to the discretion of the stakeholders of each community.  extensive rural development in the state.

    Recently also, his administration re-launched the state’s Traders Empowerment Scheme, with an annual bumper package of N120 million. This was up from the previous amount of N60 million at inception of the scheme, representing a 100 per cent increase. The idea is to assist traders in the state to grow their businesses.

    In the repackaged scheme, 200 genuine traders will now win N10 million every month at N50, 000 each, as against N5 million for 100 traders in the last scheme. Again, 17 other markets were added to the existing 37 to ensure that the empowerment scheme reached out to every nook and cranny of the state for more winners to benefit.

    He was recently commended by not only the Nigerian Army, but also the ex-servicemen in Enugu State for his government’s N19.6 million empowerment grants to 96 widows of fallen heroes residing in the state. The grant was to assist the families of those who died in the service of the country to start businesses of their choice and live a better life.

    Also, the people’s governor, as he is often called in the state, upon receiving the sad news of fire outbreak at the Kenyatta Timber Market, Enugu, had to end a meeting of the State Executive Council to visit the site. He ensured that adequate intervention was made to put off the inferno. The governor did not stop there. Within two days of the incident, he visited the market for the second time, and directed the immediate rebuilding of the affected 72 shops with a promise to assist owners of the shops with the sum of N7.2 million to enable them restart their businesses. “I am here to wipe away your tears,” he told the affected traders.

    It is also noteworthy that the governor’s wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has been very supportive of her husband. She has remained in the vanguard, propelling her husband’s philanthropic gestures, warming the people, particularly the poor and the less privileged, to participatory democracy through her pet project, Ugo Touch of Life Foundation (U-TOLF).

    In recognition of all these milestone achievements, which are the radiant bedrock of the governor’s 54th birthday anniversary celebration, one therefore, urges the people of Enugu State at home and abroad, as well as friends of the state in Nigeria and beyond to continue to support him to render more selfless services to humanity and hold on to his vision to build Enugu State of our founding fathers’ dream. Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.

    -Amoke is Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Enugu State Governor

  • IMT, Enugu to begin award of degree in 2019 academic year

    The Institute of Management and Technology ( IMT ), Enugu says it will begin award of degrees in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ) from 2018/2019 academic session.

    The Rector of IMT, Prof. Augustine Nweze made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday at the 36th Matriculation of the institution.

    Nweze said that the award of degrees in some disciplines was sequel to an agreement with the UNN.

    He explained that the senate and council of UNN had given approval for the affiliation, while the institution awaited final visitation of the National Universities Commission ( NUC ) in July, for final approval.

    “It is the desire of our Visitor and Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to give IMT a University status in the shortest possible time.

    “To give life to that dream, we have, on our own, gone into affiliation with one of Nigeria’s foremost universities, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to award degrees in many disciplines.

    “I sincerely hope that the new students will be some of the earliest beneficiaries of this partnership when it fully materializes by the beginning of next academic year,” he added.

    The Rector said that IMT established in 1973 and modeled after the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston Massachusetts, USA, had nine academic schools and 40 academic departments presently.

    He said that the matriculation marks the end of secondary school education of the new students and beginning of their tertiary education, a major watershed in their development as young adults.

    “This predisposes you to academic and moral training as well as skill acquisition that will eventually make you worthy in character and learning,” he said.

    He advised the fresh students to shun cultism, examination malpractices and other vices adding that the institute was deeply committed to scholarship.

    “Management is working assiduously to improve lecture halls, laboratories and studios to make them fit for learning.

    “We are immensely thankful to the Governor of State, Chief Ugwuanyi for giving us the opportunity to serve our people in our different capacities in IMT” he said.

    In a message to the event, the governor pledged to do everything possible to ensure upgrade of IMT to a degree awarding institution.

    Ugwuanyi said that the plan had been long overdue as the school had churned out professionals and prominent citizens in the country.

    He commended the management, staff and students for their efforts in taking the school to greater height.

    3103 National and Higher National Diploma students took part in the matriculation.

    NAN