By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

An Enugu-based real estate entrepreneur and hospitality chief executive, Chidera Nwodo, has commended teachers in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu State, for their sacrifices and selfless role in nation-building and for serving as invaluable agents of shaping the future of children in the society. 

Chidera, who is the chief executive officer of a luxury guest house and entertainment spot in the state, Colliery Guest House and Garden, as well as a blossoming real estate company, Glorious Properties Ltd, also extolled the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for prioritising education and contributing to the welfare of teachers in the state. 

In a press statement signed by him over the weekend, Nwodo described teachers as thorough bred professionals who have shown “selflessness, dedication and resilience in shaping the minds of future generations through their impactful teaching and exemplary leadership in education.”

While reflecting on this year’s theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” the entrepreneur lauded the teaching profession as not only a profession but also a calling which requires passion, patience, resilience and affection in the classroom. 

“Teaching is not just a profession; it is a noble calling that demands passion, patience, and resilience. From the first day a child steps into the classroom, teachers become guides, mentors, and often, second parents. They mold our thoughts, inspire creativity, and challenge us to reach our full potential.

“To every teacher, past and present, I say thank you. Your hard work, often unrecognized, is the foundation upon which societies are built. In our journey of life, your lessons stay with us, guiding our decisions and helping us become better individuals,” the statement reads in part.

According to him, as the world continues to evolve, also the role of teachers demands they adjust and adapt to the changing environment. 

He acknowledges the challenges confronting teachers in Nigeria, urging them to be innovative and open to new ideas through self-development, research and advanced training. 

Hon Nwodo, who noted that Mbah’s educational policies were already impacting positively on the lives of educators in the state, insisted that the over 33% budgetary allocation committed to education was the largest in the country. 

He underscored the significant role of the ongoing 260 Smart Schools across the state as a revolution that would reshape the face of education in Nigeria and Africa at large. 

He pledged to continue to invest in the education of younger generations through his scholarship scheme which serves as part of his corporate social responsibility.

By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

Twenty four inmates of the Enugu Correctional Centre have graduated with different degrees from different disciplines from the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Enugu Custodial Special Study Centre, for the 2023/2024 academic session.

In the same breathe, 24 others did their matriculation to study for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Speaking at the graduation/matriculation ceremony at the Enugu Custodial centre t the weekend, the Desk Officer in charge of the study centre, ASC1 Arinzechukwu Onovo expressed joy that the graduands were leaving the Centre reformed and re-oriented and implored employers of labour to engage them.

“You have overcome sickness, setbacks and other personal struggles to achieve this level of success.  When I look at you, my esteemed scholars, I see employers and promising prospects,” he said and urged other inmates and the matriculating students to be of good behaviour and shun negative tendencies such as “drug abuse, cultism, theft, kidnapping, fraud and other malicious activities.”

Onovo said that at the inception of the special study centre, only 12 inmates were admitted for the 2011/2012 academic but that today, the Centre boasts of 261 students.

Urging other inmates to enroll in the programme to enhance their living when they leave the custodial centre, Onovo said that a former inmate who studied at the Study Centre now has a doctorate degree and is lecturing in one the Nigerian universities.

He pointed out that since inception, a total of 1,139 inmates registered for NECO, noting that, “this is the explanation for the exponential growth in our NOUN admission.”

The Enugu Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Ncos, Mr. Nicholas Obiakor, in his address stressed the importance of education which he said was central to development.

Obiakor said that part of their mandate is to re-orient and re-integrate the inmates to become useful citizens when they leave the centre and urged other inmates to enroll for the programme.

“Our mandate is to re-orient and re-integrate the people and we can do this through education because without education, there will be no development. We cannot do with education.”

Stressing on the importance of education, he disclosed that they have produced doctorate degree holders since the study centre commenced and expressed joy that the Federal Government has abolished discrimination against certificates.

One of the graduands, Mr. Elvis who spoke on behalf of others, expressed joy that after 17 years in the Correctional Centre, he is now free and a proud graduate.

“I’ll never stop thanking the Controller for making it possible that those who the society rejected, today have been made good.  Joy is flowing in my soul that 17 years of my life was not wasted but has become a glorious opportunity,” he said.

By, Mark Akudu, Kogi 

The Lawmaker representing Ankpa State Constituency in Kogi state house of assembly, Akus Lawal said he is taking the move to tackle water scarcity that is affecting the people of the area over the years.

Akus who made this known during the commissioning of a motorized borehole,

at Makurdi Street in  Ankpa local government of Kogi State, however warned the community to guard the project against vandals and thieves.

The Kogi lawmaker, Akus, is one of the Lawmaker in the current eight Assembly was given a warm reception by his People when him and prominent dignitaries from different works of life including the Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Salisu Usman Ogbo commissioned the motorised borehole.

Speaking at the occasion, the Kogi Assembly lawmaker thanked his people for their support, noting that he will continue to deliver more dividends of democracy in Ankpa Local Government.

Describing water as life, Akus disclosed that the motorized borehole will solve the water problem which the people has been facing over the years.

He told journalists that the need to meet the water need of his people necessitated the water project which, according to him, will go a long way in meeting the water needs of his Constituency.

Akus charged the people of the community to guard the project against vandals and thieves, assuring of his commitment to providing more projects that will have direct impact on the lives of the people.

The Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Salisu Usman Ododo who was highly elated with the achievement of Akus in the eight Assembly said “This water project has brought  smiles to the faces of our People as their long  thirst for clean and consumable water has been quenched.

Ogbo advised the people of the area to ensure durability of the project through proper maintenance.

Some members of the community,  described the project as timely and a step in the right direction which will go a long way in ameliorating hardship faced as a result of water scarcity.

They commended Akus for the gesture, describing the development as a Christmas gift to Ankpa people and prayed God to reward him.

By Maxwell Nwafor, 

The Kogi State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources, has passed a vote of confidence on the activities of the Ministry of Water Resources for it overall commitment to meeting with the provision of portable water to the people of the State. 

This is as the Commissioner, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk assures that water would in the next few days begin to flow across taps in the State Capital and in other parts of the State.

The Assembly House Committee Members gave the verdict after it visit on an oversight function to the Ministry as well as after inspection of the turnaround work carried out on the old Lokoja Water works.

In his summation of the Members views after the visit, the Chairman House Committee of Water Resources led by Hon  Tijani Ebaya, expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Ministry.

He assured of the support of the Committee in synergizing with the Ministry in meeting with the budgetary provision and other support for the Ministry.

The Committee Chairman described the Ministry of Water Resources as one of the performing Ministries working to meet with the vision of the present administration, said it underscores the importance the administration of Gov Usman Ahmed Ododo places in the provision of portable water to the people.

He described Gov. Ododo as one that is resolved and committed to ensuring that the water sector is functional, appreciated the patience and understanding of the citizens of the State while efforts is ongoing to fix the water challenges faced by the State.

He described the Assembly as a worthy partner in progress, called for Executive and Legislature relationship, through working synergy that will meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

The Chairman urged for the input of the Assembly Members in the forthcoming 2025 budget of the Ministry, described the Commissioner as a round peg in a round hole, pointing out that he has justified the confidence reposed on him by the Governor in his appointment.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner said the devastating effect of the 2022 flood that ravaged the State damaged the Greater Lokoja water Works.

While the State he noted would require a sum of about N40b to rebuild another facility as an option from it current location, he added that another option of relocating the sensitive electromagnetic equipments above Water level also requires huge outlay, reasons the State Government south to fix the old Lokoja Water Works.

The Old Lokoja Water Works, Engr. Farouk explained had been abandoned since the advent of Greater Lokoja Water Works that began operations in 2009, however expressed optimism that with the works at over 90% completion, water would soon begin to flow in the State capital.

The Commissioner assured the  committee soon as the disinfection, fumigation and washing of the water tanks are completed, water supply will begin within the next few days.

The Commissioner added that the Ministry has evaluated 23 Water facilities across the State, including 18 Bye Water schemes in the West and Central Senatorial Districts built during the Second Republic and under Military era in the State, with the view to putting them into use for the benefit of the people.

Engr. Farouk explained that the State Government has also keyed into the SPIN Project for support by the World Bank, said the initiative aimed at developing existing Federal Dams for Agriculture purposes and in line with Gov. Ododo’s Commitment to increased food production and security.

The Commissioner listed the major challenges of the Ministry to include shortage of manpower as well as lack of protection of water facilities by the Communities in the State, solicited the support of the House Committee for increased budgetary provision.

While he called for the cooperation from all stakeholders in the State to the protection of water facilities in their communities, Engr. Farouk solicited the support of the Committee on  the passage of the draft irrigation water bill that would soon be presented for the Assembly’s approval.

The Commissioner also spoke on the ambitious plan of the State Government to provide rural water to rural areas through the Sustainable Water, Supply and hygiene Project, thanked the Committee for all the support enjoyed by the Ministry thus far.

Highlights of the oversight function was the visit to the Old Lokoja Water Works that has undergone a turnaround.

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The senior special assistant to the President on community engagement (South East) Mrs. Chioma Nweze has said that the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is tackling the economic challenges facing the country through the provision of students loan and other incentives aimed at alleviating economic hardships in the country.

Nweze made this known while addressing a mammoth crowd of students during the maiden south east citizens engagement that took place at Ebonyi State University and University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that, Nweze visited the Ebonyi State University, EBSU, UNN and University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC to enlighten lectures/ students of the south east region on the need to participate/ apply for the federal government’s education fund/ loans and other opportunities available to the academic community.

The senior special assistant to the President, Nweze called on the students in the south east region to cue into the federal government programs and should apply for the loan to enable them cushion the effects of economic hardships in the country.

According to her: “The purpose of this south east engagement is to educate Nigerian universities and students on the importance of NELFUND and why the students need the loan, What they should do to access the loan and why they should tell other Nigerian students to do what they are doing. South East have taken the forefront in a lot of things and we want to tell us that there is nothing wrong in taking the loan.

“Anything that federal government brings, let’s be part of it, if it is grants, lets take it, and if it is loan let’s take it and if it is money for research, let’s take it. Let our universities be at the forefront and we shouldn’t be last.

Nweze, emphasized that: “Today’s engagement is crucial as we delve into the Nigeria Education Loan Fund(NELFUND), its objectives, eligibility criteria, and application process. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges through various poverty alleviation programmes. It’s essential to note that these policies are still unfolding, and their effectiveness will manifest in fullness of time” she said.

Responding, the managing director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sanyerr said: “every student get opportunity to access this loan. I will fail in my job, if it only goes to one set of people and not to everybody. I am here in the South East region to plead with the students, that they must apply for this loan to enable them overcome their challenges.

“The main purpose that I’m here in the south east is to let the people of the area know that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled an election promise, to affect many areas of the lives of Nigerian citizens, and education is one of them. And one of the program within the education, is this students loan fund. Which seeks to provide loans to students who are Nigerian, who has the capacity and ability to engage and take their education further” he stated.

In a sperate reactions, the vice chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, however applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the students loan, which according to him, will help to tackle the rate of students dropout and reduce social vices in the country.

Also, the vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu said: “This visit will motivate our students to participate in this program. You know that universities in Nigeria will always have their list of problems because of the economy. And this loan will help our students to solve their financial problems.

The vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC, Prof. Aloysius Okolie said: “the loan will help us to reduce the burden we are facing in this university, this is because, everyday I go out searching for my friends who will come to pay school fees of the students. With this loan, I will now channel my energy in other things” he stated.