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Tag: Michael Okpara

  • Lawmaker receives Michael Okpara leadership prize

    Lawmaker receives Michael Okpara leadership prize

    Member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency at House of Representatives, Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) has been honoured with 2024 Michael Okpara Leadership Prize Award. 

    The lawmaker was honoured  for offering quality representation to the people of his constituency, likewise  his transparency, accessibility and proactive approach to national issues.

    The  ceremony held yesterday at  Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Other dignitaries were also nominated for other categories.

    Read Also: You’re a testament to hard work, selfless service, Tinubu tells Ariwoola

    Isiaka, Ogun State-born technocrat, has proved himself as a patriot and man of integrity, selected as one of those probing Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

    Isiaka thanked the award selection committee for the efforts to reward excellence.

    “I am glad my record of service to my constituents and Nigeria has been recognised by organisers of Michael Okpara Leadership Prize Award. I will state that the primary responsibility of politicians is to bring succour to people, and the nation. This is what I have been doing t and I am glad my constrbutions to national development have been appreciably recognised,” he said.

  • 2019: Groups endorse Ugwuanyi, laud his strides

    From their early morning workouts at the popular Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu, jubilant fitness enthusiasts on Saturday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, in support of his re-election in 2019.

    The sporty, bubbling Enugu residents who trooped to the Lion Building in two groups – Coal City Fitness Exclusive Club and Coal City Keep Fit Club Enugu – commended Governor Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace, security and good governance in the state.

    They said that the governor has transformed Enugu State for the better through various people-oriented programmes in the areas of infrastructural development, healthcare delivery, education, security, agriculture and human capital development, among others, stressing that they will continue to “show loyalty and support to our amiable governor”.

    The groups noted that the reconstructed historic Milliken Hill Road, Ngwo, Enugu as well as the recent proposed intervention on the abandoned International Conference Centre and the Hotel Presidential Enugu, respectively, were among the “eloquent testimonies to what Enugu State would look like after his completion of eight years in office”.

    Speaking on behalf of the Coal City Fitness Exclusive Club, Mr. Obiora Okereke said: “I live in Asata area of Enugu. We are no more going to the Parklane Hospital. Poly Clinic, which has been rehabilitated by the governor, is a testimony to his good work.

    “Are we talking about the security we have found in Enugu State today? There is no car snatching anymore, no robbery anymore. If you look, there is no act of cultism in our schools, courtesy of this man’s style of governance”.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi to include more women in cabinet

    Mr. Okereke equally applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s programmes in agriculture and human capital development, among others, saying: “What we came here to do is to thank him for what he is doing in Enugu State”.

    Chief Frank Anioma, the spokesperson of the second group, lauded the governor for his grassroots development programmes that impact positively on the lives of the rural dwellers, and for allowing them to use the Okpara Square for their daily exercise.

    Chief Anioma reassured the governor that they will not only support his re-election, but will also campaign vigorously for him in various places of their gathering to ensure that he emerges victorious in 2019.

    They collectively requested for the involvement of more of their members in the governance of the state, which received an express approval from the governor, amid loud ovation.

  • Ikpeazu calls for increased allocation to federal universities of agriculture

    Ikpeazu calls for increased allocation to federal universities of agriculture

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has appealled to the Federal Government to increase its allocation to federal universities of agriculture in the country.

    Ikpeazu made the call on Saturday at the eighth convocation and silver jubilee celebration of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), near Umuahia.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari “for refocusing on agriculture as a way of finding ourselves out of the economic duldrome in Nigeria.”

    He described the decision to revive the nation’s agricultural sector as lofty but noted that it ought to have come earlier.

    He further spoke on the Federal Government’s directive to critical federal tertiary institutions, including MOUAU, to revert to their core mandate.

    “As Abia citizens, our desire would have been for this university to continue to train our children in different areas of academics, irrespective of their inclinations.

    “This is because we do not have any other federal institution that can fill the gap except this great institution,” the governor said.

    He further said that the global challenges of survival faced by graduates of such institutions would require the dynamics of training in all fields of human endeavour in a comprehensive curriculum, to enable them to perform better.

    He said that Nigeria should emulate other world renowned universities, established for specific disciplines but also taught courses that were ancillary to their core mandate and helped to produce all-round graduates.

    According to him, “You cannot be a proper graduate if you do not know a bit of everything.”

    Okezie commended Federal Government’s “extra attention to agriculture.”

    He, however, said that the efforts would amount to lip service, if they were not marched with proper funding of the universities of agriculture.

    He expressed the hope that agriculture would be made a serious business, capable of producing millionaires, to be able to attract Nigerian youths.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, restated Federal Government’s commitment to transform agriculture and make it the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

    Ogbe, represented by the Abia Director in the ministry, Mr Eziri Ebere, said that the present administration had introduced a number of programmes to resuscitate agriculture.

    Some of them, he said, included the creation of 10,000 jobs in the agricultural sector for youths in each state of the federation and Anchor Borrower for rice production.

    Also, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Francis Otunta, listed some achievements as the accreditation of 20 out of the 21 programmes in 2016, plus eight out of nine additional programmes in May/June.

    Otunta also spoke on developmental projects in the university, saying that the institution received over N2.1 billion, representing 40 per cent of the 2013/2014 NEEDS Assessment Fund, to resume work on abandoned projects.

    He said that his administration revived 25 uncompleted projects out of the 45 under the fund.

    He said that over N684 million was utilised to pay old debt to 31 contractors, to enable them to return to site.

    He said, “Work is now in progress on some projects, while some are still suffering setback due to an upward variance in costs resulting from the fall in the value of the naira.”

    On Tertiary Education Trust Fund for the university, Otunta said that three of the six projects for the 2012/2013 fund were completed but only four out of the 20 for the 2013/2014 intervention had so far been completed.

    He regretted that projects, which were hitherto funded with internally generated revenue, had suffered setback due to “too many irregularities”.

    Otunta further said that the university could not pay full salaries to its workers since the past one year due to the drastic decline in the Federal Government’s subsection.

    “The university receives subvention of N325 million instead of the much-needed N451 million

    “For this reason, therefore, it has been impossible to meet our commitment of paying full salaries.

    4,958 students graduated, including 98 First Class, 1,437 Second Class Upper, 2,111 Second Class Lower as well as 1,276 Third Class and 36 Pass.

    Highpoint of the ceremony was the conferment of a posthumous honorary Doctor of Science on the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara, and honorary Doctor of Science on the former President of Ohaneze, Prof. Joe Irukwu.

    The ceremony, which was scheduled to start by midday, started at about 1.45 pm, due to the monthly sanitation in the state.

    NAN

  • Lawmakers probe alleged non-agric programmes de-listing from agric varsities

    Lawmakers probe alleged non-agric programmes de-listing from agric varsities

    The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Tertiary Education to investigate alleged Federal Government’s directive to scale down non-agricultural programmes from the curriculum of federal universities of agriculture.

    This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Sam Onuigbo (Abia-PDP) on Tuesday.

    Moving the motion, Onuigbo emphasised the need for Ministries of Education and Agriculture and Rural Development to halt the implementation of the directive pending a comprehensive appraisal of the rationale behind it by stakeholders.

    The lawmaker argued that any effort to phase out non-agricultural programmes would distort the efficient running of teaching and learning of the professional core agricultural courses in the universities.

    According to him, there already exist a kind of symbiotic relationship between the core agricultural and non-agricultural courses, with each programme complementing the delivery of the academic curriculum of the other.

    “The world has given rise to the necessity to focus on combining both technological and management skills in agriculture profession to be grounded in science, management techniques and social skills that drive today’s sustainable agricultural economy.

    “It is deeply troubling that academic programmes with outstanding records of excellence could be blacklisted for closure simply because they coexisted to enrich agricultural programmes as obtainable globally,’’ Onuigbo said.

    He expressed concern that phasing out of College of Management Sciences in the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), Umudike, Abia would have its attendant effects on the students.

    “If the implementation of the directive is not halted, the admission trauma of the youths, especially those within the catchment area of the university will be compounded.

    “This is because of the high number of students seeking admission in the densely populated area,’’ Onuigbo said.

    He emphasised that the haste with which the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) delisted management courses from MOUAU had the consequence of denying admissions to over 2,000 prospective candidates.

    “This has its deleterious effect on the psyche of the candidates who may as a consequence of idleness, resort to crimes and other anti-social behaviours,’’ Onuigbo stated.

    He argued that the directive violated the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act and the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act 2010.

    According to him, the Acts provided for a tripod mandate of teaching, research and extension in agriculture and allied disciplines.

    “The NUC Act Section 4 (1) b (iii) states that part of the functions of the commission shall include “recommendations for the establishment of new academic units in existing universities.

    “It is important to state that all programmes of the Colleges of Management Sciences were established based on approvals granted to the universities by the NUC after human and material resources evaluations.

    “With these approvals that are verifiable, it should be clearly noted that MOUAU is not running unapproved programmes as all the B.Sc. programmes in the College Management Sciences were approved by the NUC.’’

    Contributing, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Mohammed Monguno (Borno-APC), condemned the directive to delist non-agric programmes from the curriculum of universities of agriculture.

    Monguno said that management courses were needed to boost the nation’s agricultural sector, particularly as the country was determined to diversify its economy through agriculture.

    “In recognition of the important role of agriculture in driving economic growth, improved revenue and job creation, there is need to provide foundational courses to drive core agricultural programmes,’’ he said.

    Also, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa-APC) said the probe was crucial in ensuring that students were not denied the opportunity to enrol in management science courses in the forthcoming matriculation examination.

    “Given the fact that many Nigerians are eager to apply for admission into the universities, they should not be denied or restricted to a particular university,’’ he added.

    Opposing the motion, however, Rep. Sani Abdul (Bauchi) said “you can’t have management courses in the universities of agriculture because the universities were specifically established for agricultural studies.

    “Today they have been turned to general universities and that is why NUC wants to sanitise them,’’ Abdul said.

    Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara urged the committee to report back its findings on the matter in two weeks.

  • Michael Okpara varsity matriculates 5,615 students

    Michael Okpara varsity matriculates 5,615 students

    The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia, on Friday matriculated 5,615 students for various academic programmes, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Otunta, has said.

    Otunta, who said this at the 24th matriculation of the university, noted that the figure covered the university’s quota of 4,300 plus a 30 per cent attrition value decided by the Senate.

    He expressed delight that in spite of the closure of some departments in the university by the National Universities Commission, they were able to meet the quota allotted to the institution.

    He said that it was also gratifying that the university’s admission process was adjudged as one devoid of racketeering and other unwholesome practices.
    The vice chancellor said that the institution was rapidly evolving as a Centre of excellence, where training, research and community service were pursued to achieve national development goals.

    He urged the new students to abide by the rules and guidelines spelt by the university to promote orderly conduct and peaceful co-existence within the community.

    He said that although the university provided a lot of freedom, the students were presumed to be adults capable of self-control and ability to take decisions independently.

    “However, this freedom is exercised within the ambit of the regulations governing the university. I call on the new students to shun anti-social behaviour, like, examination malpractices and cultism.

    “This university has zero tolerance for cultism and will never condone examination malpractices.

    “Cultism is a social menace that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society and serve as a breeding ground for criminal elements in society.

    “Shun cultism, our university has no space, no place and no tolerance for cultists in its entirety,” he said.

    He warned against indecent dressing by students, saying that measures have been initiated to enforce the institution’s dress code.

    Otunta said that the university was also taking steps to check prostitution among the female students, tagged.

    “The unwholesome act of prostitution is usually indulged-in either for pecuniary interest or to hoodwink the lecturers into awarding undeserved marks to students,” he said. (NAN)
    USO/OIF/OFN

  • Abia takes up Michael Okpara’s agric plan

    Abia takes up Michael Okpara’s agric plan

    The Abia State government has launched an agric plan reminiscent of the late Premier of the Eastern Region Dr Michael Okpara’s blueprint. UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE reports

    Before his death in 1984,  Dr Michael Okpara endeared himself to the defunct Eastern Region of which he was premier. The medical doctor who played an active part in the politics of the First Republic,and survived the 1966 coup, was renowned for his passion and vision in agriculture, saying that the growth and future of Nigeria depended on farming.

    In his native Umuegwu community in present Abia State, he acquired and managed the Umuegwu Okpuala Mixed Farms. Soon, other leaders copied his example and started managing farms too. Agriculture caught on.

    The state government has also embraced his plan, kicking off its revenue base diversification programme with an agriculture initiative involving 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation.

    Other agricultural produce like ginger, pineapple plantation and cassava farming are not left out as the state Ministry of Agriculture under headship of Hon. Uzo Azubuike as commissioner is also cultivating high-yielding varieties.

    The state government says its plans of developing the oil palm value chain is to make the state the number one in palm oil production.

    To achieve this, the state government has set a target of developing 7.5 million seedlings between 2016 and 2019, targeting 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation across the state and this would be achieved in phases.

    The governor during an inspection of the nursery at Ahiaba Umueze in Osisioma council area of the state said the future of the economy of the state depends on agriculture hence the renewed attention on farming especially oil palm production.

    According to him, Abia State has comparative advantage over other states in oil palm, as the state stands in an advanced position to enhance her revenue earnings through massive oil palm production.

    He called on Abia youths to engage in farming as his administration is willing to assist them, while calling on farmers to also intensify their efforts in their various farms to enable them have more and improved yields.

    Speaking at the event, Hon Azubuike said the state is targeting 2 million seedlings in the first phrase of the oil palm seedlings, the second will produce 3 million, while the third will deal with 2.5 million seedlings.

    At Ahiaba Umueze oil palm nursery, visited by newsmen, it was discovered that over 1.5 million nuts have already been planted and are being awaited for buying by prospective farmers.

    Azubuike while fielding questions from newsmen at the location said the Ikpeazu led administration had through the project employed over a thousand people especially youths and women in the communities and created wealth for families.

    He said the seedlings were got at N350 each and would replicate over 700 million naira in the next one year, thereby increasing the revenue generation of the state.

    The ministry of agriculture boss revealed that the state is establishing a community-based oil Palm Project which intends to inject the seedlings into the communities, achieve this.

    The seedlings, according to him, would be sold to farmers at subsidised rates, which would be tested with the selected pilot communities and the essence he said, is to ensure that every farm land has two to three stands of high yielding oil palm growing in it.

    He said that this is also geared towards tactically phasing out the low yielding varieties by the state government, stressing that government is determined to phase out the old palm trees which has served the state for several years.

    Azubike said that under the arrangement, each community would have an anchor that would buy off Fresh Fruit Bunches, for processing; thereby making it possible for every community to have a mini palm processing mill, while the state builds an oil palm refinery.

    The Commissioner further revealed that following the zero tolerance to land waste of the state government policy, it has also embarked on ginger and pineapple production at Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government.

    Also, at Omuma Uzo, Ukwa West Local Government, the state government has began the multiplication of high yielding cassava varieties.

    Azubuike, explained that the varieties which were gotten from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, are TME 419 and Pro Vitamin A.

    He said the interest of the state government is on the stem which would be distributed to farmers because of its disease resistant, high yielding and more nutritious qualities.

    According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, the state is recruiting extension agents to be sent to communities to educate the people on modern ways of farming in a bid to sustain the project.

    Some residents of the host communities who spoke to newsmen commended the state government for such a giant stride and pledged total support for the project.