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Tag: Anambra State

  • Anambra Govt, WHO Organise Retreat For 21 LG Chairmen On PHC Integrated Service Delivery

    Anambra Govt, WHO Organise Retreat For 21 LG Chairmen On PHC Integrated Service Delivery

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has organized a one day retreat for 21 Local Government Chairmen, LG Directors of Health, Supervisors and partners on Integrated Primary HealthCare (PHC) Service Delivery across the state.

    The retreat is aimed at ensuring uptake in routine immunization, vaccine acceptance and optimal healthcare service delivery across the state and for the 21 LG Chairmen to fully take ownership of health in their various local government areas.

    The event which took place in Awka, on Thursday, also witnessed the presence of all the 21 local government chairmen in the state, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, Traditional rulers, representative of World Health Organization WHO, and other relevant stakeholders in the health sector.

    Speaking while declaring the event open, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, lamented low level of immunization vaccine acceptance in the state.

    Read Also: Proposed abolishment of TETFund: Plot to kill public tertiary institutions in Nigeria – ASUU alleges

    According to him, despite the proven benefits of immunization, vaccine acceptance remains a critical challenge, particularly in regions like some local government areas of Anambra state.

    “Refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including misinformation, cultural beliefs, lack of trust in healthcare systems, poor awareness campaign and fear of side effects.

    “In some cases, religious doctrines and traditional practices further contribute to poor acceptance rates, leaving many communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “Addressing this issue requires coordinated strategies to educate communities, build trust, and strengthen the delivery of immunization services across the state.’’

    “We must improve on the low level of immunization vaccine acceptance in the state. The immune vaccine are well certified by the World Health Organization,’’ he noted.

    The Commissioner noted further that the engagement meeting is to develop institutional capacity and responsiveness required to ensure and enhance primary healthcare service delivery across the 179 communities in the state.

    He also urged the participants to intensify awareness campaigns on the benefits of immunization in their various council areas.

    Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Pharm. Chisom Uchem thanked the participants for their support in healthcare of the state.

    The Aguata LG Chairman, Dr. Chibueze Offorbuike who is also the ALGON Chairman in the state, who spoke on behalf of others, assured the commitment of all the 21 LG Chairmen in addressing the issues raised.

  • Proposed abolishment of TETFund: Plot to kill public tertiary institutions in Nigeria – ASUU alleges

    Proposed abolishment of TETFund: Plot to kill public tertiary institutions in Nigeria – ASUU alleges

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Owerri zone, has called on Nigerians, particularly, the vulnerable students to voice out against the Federal Government proposed policy to abolished Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) across public institution in the country.

    They alleged that the proposed policy is a plot to killed public tertiary education in favour of Private schools largely own by political leaders.

    The called was made by the Owerri zonal coordinator of ASUU, Prof Dennis Aribodor on behalf of the zone during a press conference held at ASUU-UNIZIK conference hall in Awka, on Saturday.

    Prof Aribodor said the Union has urges the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Federal House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to be wary of the potential consequences of abrogating the TETFUND.

    Read Also: Anambra guber poll: Ifeanyi Ubah’s supporters collapse structure for APC aspirant, Paul Chukwuma

    He said for the last one-and-a-half decades, it has been the backbone of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions, supporting infrastructural development, postgraduate training, and research capacity building.

    He said the union stands against anything that would lead to the denigration or obliteration of TETFund as it observed with keen interest the ongoing debate on the review of the tax system in the country.

    He said part of the bill proposed to end funding of the TETFUND by the year 2030 and thereafter cede the responsibilities to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

    According to the zonal coordinator, the conference aimed at sensitizing and inviting all stakeholders for a patriotic action to save public tertiary education in Nigeria by rejecting the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 especially as it affects the abolishing of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    “Going back to history, the 1980s were a particularly difficult period for Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions

    The economic downturn, compounded by the implementation of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) of the Babangida Administration, masterminded by IMF and World Bank, led to cuts in public spending on education. Universities and other tertiary institutions were starved of resources, and lecturers were poorly paid. ASUU, recognizing that the future of Nigerian education was at stake, embarked on a series of strikes and negotiations with the government. Their demands were clear: improved funding for universities and education, respect for university autonomy, and provide better welfare for lecturers.

    “During this period, ASUU played a key role in the development of what would later become the Education Tax Fund (ETF), now known as TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund). In January 1993, the Education Tax Act No7 of 1993 was promulgated. The Decree imposed a 2% tax on the assessable profits of all companies in Nigeria. This was a home grown solution to address issues of funding to rehabilitate decaying  infrastructure, restore the lost glory of education and confidence in the system as well as consolidate the gains thereto; build capacity of teachers and lecturers; teacher development; development of prototype designs; etc.

    “The Education Tax Act of No7 of 1993 mandated the Fund to operate as an Intervention Fund to all levels of Public Education (Federal, State and Local). This mandate lasted  between 1999 to May 2011 when the ETF Act was repealed and replaced by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act., due to lapses and challenges in operating the Education Trust Fund. These lapses and challenges include that the ETF was overburdened and overstretched and could only render palliative support to all levels of public educational institutions in Nigeria and duplication of functions and mandate of other.

    “Agencies set up after the ETF, such as  Universal Basic Education (UBE). Education Tax Fund played significant role in funding education from primary to tertiary in Nigeria until the law was amended to focus the Fund to only tertiary education, thus changing the name to TETFund..

    “Tetfund has since become one of ASUU’s most significant achievement channeling much needed resources into tertiary education system for infrastructure development, research, and teaching facilities.

    The distribution ratio of of the Fund is 2:1:1 as between Universities, Polytechnics and College of Education. TETFund currently provides intervention to Two Hundred and Forty Four (244) public tertiary institutions in Nigeria which are 96 Universities, 72 Polytechnics and 76 Colleges of Education.

    The break-down of these institutions is as follows: 49 Federal Universities, 47 State Universities, 34 Federal Polytechnics, 38 State polytechnics, 28 federal Colleges of Education and 48 State Colleges of Education. A tour of any campus of any public tertiary institution in Nigeria will bear eloquent testimonies to the establishment of TETFund.

    “Federal and state-owned tertiary institutions are currently referred to as TETFund Institutions because most projects are funded from this interventionist agency and should not be killed through the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.

    “ASUU Owerri Zone has observed with keen interest the ongoing debate on the review of the tax system in the Nigeria, which is currently before the National Assembly.

    “Arising from the tax bill is the proposed abrogation of Education Tax. ASUU is alarmed by this dangerous and unpatriotic aspect of the proposed new tax regime to wit: that the Education Tax, called Development Levy, used to bankroll TETFund’s programmes should be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

    “ASUU notes with serious concern Section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024 which specifically states that only 50% of the Development Levy would be made available to TETFund in 2025 and 2026 while NITDA, NASENI, and NELFUND would share the remaining percentages. TETFund will also receive “66⅔% in 2027, 2028 and 2029 years of assessment” but “0% in 2030 year of assessment and thereafter”. This is alarming and should not be allowed particularly when priority has not been given to funding public education through budgetary allocation by successive federal and state governments.

    “To substantiate this, 7% was allocated to education as against 15% in the manifesto of APC (the party in power),  and over 20% recommended by UNESCO. Education including tertiary education is a public good and should not be commercialized especially by persons that benefited most from public education.

    The far-reaching consequence of the new tax system is that from 2030, all funds generated from the Development Levy would be passed to NELFUND.

    “ASUU Owerri Zone finds this development not only worrisome but also inimical to our national development objective because of the potential danger it has to the survival of TETFund. While viewing TETFund as the backbone for infrastructural development, postgraduate training and research capacity building in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions in the last fifteen (15) years, ASUU Owerri Zone is compelled by the circumstance to seriously observe that; *Taking any percentage out of the Education Tax (Development Levy) to service another agency not known to the TETFund Act 2011 is illegal and should not be allowed to stand;

    “Giving zero allocation of Development Levy to TETFund as from 2030 is a technical way of killing the agency and public tertiary education; the purported admonishment that TETFund should seek innovative ways of generating its funds is spurious and ill-advised because, as a creation of an Act, the institution dies without the fund;

    “Replacing TETFund with NELFUND is comparable to killing a parent to keep a newborn child alive; it is unethical and against the principle of natural justice;

    “The impact of TETFund on the campus of every tertiary institution in Nigeria is beyond description; abrogating it will take public tertiary education many years back and undermine the modest gains in repositioning Nigerian universities for global reckoning and transformative development;

    “Annual supports given to tertiary institutions by TETFund have substantially reduced industrial crises in many tertiary institutions; renovation of old facilities and provision of new ones and opportunities for staff development leading to career advancement have doused labour-related agitations on our campuses.

    “TETFund impacts not only tertiary-level education, but also the secondary down to kindergarten; it directly and/or indirectly supports the production of quality teachers and different categories of support staff in the entire educational system; and *The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) borrowed from the Nigerian experience while some other African countries have recently visited to understudy TETFund; Nigeria should be improving on the operations and sustainability of the agency, and not planning to emasculate or abrogate it.

    “ASUU Owerri Zone has resolved not to stand by and watch the denigration or obliteration of TETfund which represents the positive testament to our Union’s constructive engagements with Nigeria governments since 1992.

    “It is our considered view that abrogating the TETFund Act 2011, by design or default, will be a great disservice not just to education but to Nigeria as a nation. As a result, ASUU Owerri Zone is urging all stakeholders in the Nigeria Education project particularly the National Assembly, especially the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives, to do all within their capacity to protect TETFund from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 and save the killing of public tertiary education, Prof Aribodor concluded.

    It was gathered that ASUU Owerri Zone comprising Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Anambra State; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State; Imo State University Owerri, Imo State, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State; and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

  • Anambra guber poll: Ifeanyi Ubah’s supporters collapse structure for APC aspirant, Paul Chukwuma

    Anambra guber poll: Ifeanyi Ubah’s supporters collapse structure for APC aspirant, Paul Chukwuma

    By Ovat Abeng

    No more than 35, 000 supporters of late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who represented Anambra South at the National Assembly (Senate) Abuja, have collapsed their structure for a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state November 8th, 2025 governorship election, Sir Paul Chukwuma.

    The supporters under the aegis of Ikemba Front, a political pressure group under the party said after the death of Ubah who was their choice for the governorship position, they started searching for an aspirant that shares same ideals as the group and their former principal and decided that the man Chukwuma, was most suited for the job.

    The 21 local government coordinators of the group who spoke during an endorsement rally in the home of Chukwuma in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area on Saturday, commended Chukwuma for his development plan for Anambra State.

    The group promised to intensified mobilization campaign to him emerged 21/21 during the election proper.

    Read Also: Anambra Police Command Decorates 108 Officers

    The aspirant while receiving the members said: “I salute the founders of Ikemba Front for their endorsement today. I remember that I was the only one who was in the race for governor before Ifeanyi Ubah came in.

    “When Ikemba Front endorsed Ubah, I knew I had lost great politicians, but with the demise of Ubah, I’m happy today that you have endorsed me as your aspirant.

    “I have heard of many groups that are working for APC but Ikemba Front stands out. Your endorsement is not one to be taken for granted by any aspirant. Everyone wants your support and I am happy to be the one to get it.

    “What we are saying is that we will win this election, both the primary and the main election. APC today is strengthened, all we need to do is to go out and start our mobilisation.

    “With this support, my primary election is 50 percent done. With this endorsement I’m now more strengthened to continue this contest.”

    Chukwuma added that his number one plan for the state is to bring back security, regretting that in Anambra both Reverend Sisters and Fathers are not spared by kidnappers, yet ”the serving governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo does not have any clue of what to do”.

    According to him, Anambra electorates would be proud of my administration, if I am given the opportunity to governed the State. Our prayer point from today, should be that, APC must take over Anambra Government House come November 8th, 2025. My endorsement doesn’t come as a surprise because, I have started this process one year and one month ago.  I am running for the number position to rescue Ndi-Anambra from the trending insecurity, poverty and huger. I am also in the race to connect Anambra State to the centre, Chukwuma noted.

    It was gathered that the group was formed to support the guber ambition of late Senator Ubah before he suddenly passed away on July 27th, 2024 at the age of 52.

  • Anambra Police Command Decorates 108 Officers

    Anambra Police Command Decorates 108 Officers

    By Ovat Abeng

    A total of 108 officers from the Anambra Police Command were decorated this Friday at the Command Headquarters in Awka, the state capital.

    While 110 officers were approved for promotion by the Police Service Commission, 108 were present at the occasion.

    A breakdown of the officers decorated shows that twenty-four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), twenty Assistant Superintendents of Police were promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and sixty-six Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) were promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

    Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fidelis Ogarube, who represented the Police Commissioner Nnaghe Obono Itam, urged the officers to view their new ranks as additional tasks and responsibilities.

    Read Also: Biography of Renowned Coach, Author, and HR-Tech Expert Temitope Okeseeyin: Family, Career, Books and Awards

    “We thank God for your respective promotions, but you must see your promotion as a fresh task and more challenges. We urge you to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Police,

    “You must endeavor to reflect your new ranks in the discharge of your duties and always strive to remain above board at all times.”

    “You must always see yourself as an example of what the Nigerian Police should be and bear in mind that you are carrying the image and reputation of the Nigerian Police on your shoulders in the service of society,” he added.

    Speaking on behalf of those decorated, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Andy Ighoh promised that they would not fail the Nigerian Police in the discharge of their primary responsibilities.

    He also stated that they appreciated the trust placed in them, pledging that their new ranks would serve as a morale booster for them all.

  • Police Decorates 15 Officers In Anambra

    Police Decorates 15 Officers In Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 13 Ukpo in Dunukofia Local government area of Anambra State, AIG Godwin Ndidi Aghaulor along with the State Police Commissioner, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam decorated fifteen officers from the ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police up to the rank of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    Among those decorated are Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Dung who was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Police Commissioner Chris Bassey promoted  to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police and Chief Superintendent Of Police William Odumu Robinson  promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.

    Others include four Chief Superintendent Of Police one Superintendent Of Police and Seven  Deputy Superintendent Of Police respectively.

    The trio had served in Anambra state as Divisional Police Officers as well as Officer In Charge of Operations and Area Commander for Ihiala Area Command.

    Read Also: Anambra native doctors in turmoil, as police go after quacks

    Also decorated was the Zone 13 Ukpo Police Public Relations Office Josephine Ihunwo who was promoted to Superintendent Of Police promoted to Chief Superintendent Of Police.

    Speaking shortly after they were decorated the AIG Godwin Ndidi Aghaulor noted that promotions and elections are indications of good works and a challenge for more work in their respective ranks.

    “I congratulate you all in your new ranks and you all should see this promotion as a greater task ahead.”

    “It is not going to be that easy but as long as you remain focused and alive to your responsibilities in your new ranks the sky would surely be your limit,” he said.

    In their respective responds to their decorations the Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Dung, Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Bassey and Assistant Police Commissioner William Odumu Robinson thanked the Inspector General of Police kayode Adeolu Egbetoku for finding them wathy to be promoted.

    “This is a challenge for more works in future and we wish to assure the Inspector General of Police for this promotion and we also urge our colleagues who were promoted along with us to braze up for more challenges ahead and it is our promise that we are not going to fail the Nigerian Police Force,” they stated.

    Recall that the Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetoku through the Police Service Commission approved the promotion of senor police officers across the country within the Zone 13 Ukpo controlling Anambra and Enugu states got fifteen officers that were affected by the promotion.

  • Anambra native doctors in turmoil, as police go after quacks

    Anambra native doctors in turmoil, as police go after quacks

    By Ovat Abeng

    There’s palpable tension and fears within the ranks of native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners in Anambra State, particularly within Ojoto community, Headquarters of the Idemili  South Council Area of the State as police apprehend non-registered and uncertified practitioners.

    The problem, according to Chief Anthony Uzokwe, (Nnanyelofor) was due to the invasion of the community’s sacred shrines/groves, locations and centres by some persons parading as native doctors.

    Unfortunately these characters were unknown to the native doctors, the law or the community. Chief Uzokwe is the chairman of native medicine practitioners in Ojoto. He tendered their registration/certification by Idemili South LGA and the State Government, as well as their formal identity cards. Hence all the practitioners in Ojoto were duly registered and officially accredited.

    Shockingly, Chief Uzokwe stated, “..these uncertified persons jolted Ojoto residents who woke to observe they  have invaded  all our sacred groves, shrines, streams, centres performing some disturbing ritualistic acts and incantations.

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    “These, we gathered were in the process of spiritual cleansing of the community.

    The yet to be  identified spiritualists and actors had on Monday, Jan 6,2025 gone to strategic locations in the community to perform some rituals against the initial directive of Igwe Gerald Mbamalu.

    The activities of these unknown spiritualists were however truncated midway as one of their leaders identified simply as Ejike Muokwe was
    arrested by police operatives from Zone 13 Ukpo.

    Others including Emmanuel Okonta are now on the run, while others retreated the moment news filtered into the community that security operatives have moved in to effect their arrest.

    Uzoke pointed out that the unknown elements had days earlier stormed the community with a terse message through a town-crier of their plans to embark on spiritual cleansing at strategic locations.

    The development according to him was strange as Otu Omenana Ojoto, a body of government registered,  accredited and certified native doctors were not informed of such an important event.

    Uzokwe noted that, “we are the custodians of such matters, the sacred locations/shrines and calendar in Ojoto.

    “There was no misunderstanding amongst us or disagreement or meeting where such issue was discussed or planned…”

    The executives consequently rallied round, expressing deep worry and concern that seeming unknown elements were invading Ojoto to carry out an important general spiritual cleansing which we performed not long ago.

    An executive officer of the practitioners, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Anadi,(Ikenga) expressed concern that the issue has lingered for long, especially when we assembled publicly before all Ojoto citizens to take oath of clean, transparent and healthy practice. Most of the people doing this ran away and refused the public oath.

    Another member, Sunday Okonkwo bemoaned the unknown bunch, lamenting the seeming tacit support by the community leadership.

    He urged Gov Chukwuma Solido to wade in the matter immediately to stop it from festering.

    More so, that Mbamalu had through the instrumentality of the community’s security vigilante group restrained us from continuing with it. They had in clear terms told us that such were not allowed in Ojoto.

    They were therefore surprised to see these unknown elements desecrating our cherished places of traditional worship and reverence without notice.

    Efforts to speak with Igwe Mbamalu at the time of filing this report yielded no fruits as his telephone lines were off in the past 2 days.

    When approached for comments, the Senior Police officer who led the operations from Zone 13, Ukpo said that it was too early. “We are still investigating. The Media and the public would be briefed appropriately in due time.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Ikenga Tochukwu said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

  • Anambra Police rescue four children allegedly stolen from Bauchi

    Anambra Police rescue four children allegedly stolen from Bauchi

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra State Police Command has announced the rescued of four children allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State.

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, made the announcement while briefing Journalists at the State Police Headquarters Amawbia-Awka on Monday on the significant breakthroughs the Command under his watch recorded in 2024.

    He said the four children were allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State and sold in Anambra State and four suspects, including an illegal foster mother, were arrested and confessed to the crime.

    The police are urging the public to assist in identifying the rescued children and reuniting them with their parents.

    Read Also: Two brothers be@t sibling to de@th and bury him in shallow grave in Anambra

    According to the Commissioner, the command has also recorded other numerous successes in the past year, including the arrest of over 300 suspects, securing 15 convictions, and rescuing 14 kidnapped victims unhurt.

    The command has also recovered a substantial amount of arms and ammunition, including 43 unexploded improvised devices, over 100 different brands of arms, and 2,937 ammunition of various types.

    Additionally, the police have recovered 40 stolen vehicles and various brands of motorcycles.

    Some notable breakthroughs include the elimination of the masterminds behind the attack on police operatives in Uruagu Nnewi, the arrest of an 18-year-old boy involved in a planned cult killing, and the destruction of several criminal camps, including one in Nimo, Njikoka LGA, which led to the recovery of 19 unexploded devices.

    The police have also arrested a notorious kidnapper, known as Pablo, who had been terrorizing Ihiala, Anambra State, and other areas in Enugu and Delta States.

    Two notorious cultists were arrested in Awka, leading to the recovery of a pump action gun, four live cartridges, and other exhibits.

    The command has also appealed to the public to share information about any suspicious activities, emphasizing that security is everyone’s business.

    The Commissioner of Police expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for their support.

    He assured the public that the command is committed to consolidating its gains in crime prevention and restoration of law and order in the state.

  • Leadership crisis rocks NANS over distribution of CNG buses

    Leadership crisis rocks NANS over distribution of CNG buses

    By Ovat Abeng

    The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), is currently grappling with a crisis.over the distribution of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to higher institutions nationwide.

    A faction of the Students body is accusing it National President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe and the Students Senate President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, of being selective in the distribution formula.

    The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.

    The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State, Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-official, Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties, Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education, Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad, Comrade Muhd Muazu, Mamuna Bello, Paul Edoh Gabriel, Kabiru Saminu, and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to Journalists in Awka on Monday.

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    A copy of the petition was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director General DSS Head Quarters Abuja, Inspector General of Police Headquarters Abuja, EFCC, ICPC, SSA to the President on Students Matters, Minister of Transportation, NANS Zonal Coordinators, NANS JCC Chairmen as well as  all SUG Presidents, asking particularly, President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid break down of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.

    The petition read in part; His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presdent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    “This decision, made by the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comr. Lucky Emonofe in collaboration with the Senate President Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.

    “The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students, have been selectively distributed leaving many students without access to this vital resources. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.

    “The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of this buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation.

    “Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging time across the country.

    “Furthermore, this incident will likely be perceived as a gross dereliction of duty by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President and the Senate President, which will in turn reflect poorly on your administration commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is imperative to take decisive action to address this issue and restore the trust and confidence of students in the leadership of NANS.

    “In view of the afore-mentioned fact, we request that you take the following actions; We demand a thorough investigation into the distribution process to identify those responsible for the unequal distribution of the buses. We call for the immediate redistribution of the buses to ensure that all students have equal access to this resource.We demand that the President and Senate President of NANS be held accountable for their actions and that appropriate disciplinary measures be taken due to shortage of this buses within campuses.

    *From the foregoing, we hereby pass a Vote of no confidence on the duo of Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez.8. We believe that it is your responsibility as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the resources meant for the benefit of all students are distributed fairly and transparently.

    “We hope that you will take immediate action to address this issue and restore the trust of Nigerian students in the leadership of NANS.”

  • Why there’s increase in failed marriages in the World today – Cardinal Okpalaeke

    Why there’s increase in failed marriages in the World today – Cardinal Okpalaeke

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic Dioceses, His Eminence Peter Ebele Cardinal Okpalaeke, has given parental failure, community failure and failure of the Church as reasons why there’s increased in marriage crashes in the world today.

    He said training of children on the ways of God from infantry to the riping staged of getting married remain the only solution to curb what he described as marriage menace.

    Cardinal Okpalaeke, disclosed this while speaking to Journalists during the 45th Wedding Anniversary ceremony of Chief Paulinus Nwafor and his wife Lolo Nwafor.

    According to him, “marriage should be a thing of joy. To the best of my knowledged, marriages are constantly crashing today because such couple have lost sense of family.

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    “The crises you are seeing in marriages today, is a reflection of failure; failure of the parents, failure of the community, failure of the Church and other Institutions that are supposed to be a nurturing place or ground for those that would eventually get married. Institutions have failure. Individuals have lost sense of family.  Many of the crashes couples today  were not well prepared before entering into marriage life. Family as domestic Church, somehow has failed.

    “Good family provide good husband/wife, provide good Reverend Fathers and Sisters.”

    Okpalaeke while admonishing Christians to be followers of Christ, showing love of Christ and living a Christ-like life, also harped on the importance of having good intentions which he noted matter a lot to God, reminding the people to always put God first in their daily activities.

    The celebrants, Chief Paulinus Nwafor (aged 85) and his lovely wife, Lolo Nwafor (aged 65), in their unanimous speeches, appreciated God for the gift of being alive to witness the day and expressed satisfaction with what God has bestowed on him and his wife, forty five years.

    Also in his appreciation, one of the sons of the family and a serving Priest at the Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese, Rev. Emmanuel Nwafor, said the celebration had become an annual routine in their family to celebrate God’s abundant grace and mercies.

    He urged Christian faithful to imbibe the spirit of celebrating their parents while they are still alive.

    The event that took place at Chief Nwafor’s compound Ezioko village-Oko, in Orumba North local government area of the State, on Friday, was also grace by the Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Labour Party Chieftain, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, family, friends and other well wishers.

  • Anambra: Activist to storm Ebube Muonso Adoration Ministry in protest over attack on gov Soludo

    Anambra: Activist to storm Ebube Muonso Adoration Ministry in protest over attack on gov Soludo

    By Ovat Abeng

    An activist and National convener of the Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), Comrade Osita Obi, has threatened to stormed the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry Uke, Anambra state in protest, if the Spiritual Director of the Ministry, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube muonso), failed to apologize to the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, within a period of 14 days.

    It was gathered that the ultimatum was as a result of the ongoing media war between the Minister of God and the governor over the worsen insecurity in the state.

    It was also gathered that the media face-off started when Rev. Fr. Obimma, during his New message called on the governor to address the security condition or resign for someone else to address it.

    Comrade Obi, in his further reaction while addressing a press conference in Awka, on Saturday, over what he described as unfortunate development, urged Fr. Obimma to support the governor to fight the ugly trend instead of attacking him.

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    According to the Activist, the situation has not reached the point where a highly respected man of God like Ebube Muonso would engaged the governor in a wide spread media war.

    “To the best of my observation, no governor, since the returned of democracy in 1999, has done what Soludo administration is currently doing across the 179 communities that constitute the state within a space of two years and night months in office. I expected that the clergyman would have book an appointment with the governor or called him on phone to discuss on the way forward instead of resulting into a media war.

    “Governor Soludo is a good man. He has listening ear. The issue of insecurity is the responsibility of every Ndi-Anambra irrespective of political, tribe, ethic and region affiliations. If Fr. Obimma think he has all it takes to address the situation more than Soludo, then he should pull off his cassocks and enter the political arena like his colleague who is currently serving as the governor of Benue State to contest the position.  I am given the Man of God, 14-days ultimatum to retract his outburst and tender an apology to governor Soludo or I will personally stormed his Ministry to also pipped his activities in the Church,” the activist threatened.

    While assuring that in no distance time the issue of insecurity will come to an end, Comrade Obi appeal to residents in the state to continue to pray for the governor to enable him actualized his vision of making Anambra a peaceful, secure, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.