By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, has enjoined contractors executing the ongoing 260 Smart Green Schools as well as the 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state to double down in their efforts in order to deliver within the timelines given to them for the completion of the projects.

The governor, who assured that his administration was already setting up mechanisms for the rewards and recognition of contractors who have distinguished themselves in terms of quality and speedy delivery of their projects, also promised that more contracts will be awarded to them for their capacity and commitment.

Governor Mbah made the call and disclosed the reward arrangement on Thursday in Enugu during a stakeholder’s engagement with all the contractors handling the projects, saying the state government would not condone delay or lateness in the delivery timelines of all the projects.

While speaking with the contractors who attended the meeting in their numbers, the governor said the delivery timelines were sacrosanct as the government was not owing any of the contractors handling the projects.

He expressed dissatisfaction with some of the contractors who blamed the rainy season, rough topography, shortage of manpower and logistics constraints as some of the challenges that resulted in their delays, directing them to source for more hands in order to meet the delivery dates.

According to him, the state government had already earmarked enough funds for all the projects, assuring that payments will continue to be made at the right time to contractors.

“Let me once again reiterate that you have our support and we’ll continue to make funds available to you. Once you are able to raise your certificate, you will be paid within five days because we’ve no reason to hold onto your money. So, for us money is not a problem. We gave you these projects because you have the capacity to deliver,” he said.

Mbah explained that his administration had previously intervened in areas of variation of costs because of inflation, stressing that such intervention was designed to serve as motivation for quality jobs and speedy delivery.

He, however, warned that the administration would not entertain sabotage, cost overruns and time overruns as all contractors were fully mobilized except those having issues with their advance payment guarantee who were paid as soon as they rectified it.

The governor further maintained that the most important focus of the administration was to ensure that all children in the state, including those living in remote and rural areas have access to the type of education any child could be exposed to in the world that would equip them for the future challenges.

He added that the PHCs, which should be delivered before the end of December 2024, were carefully conceived to eliminate infant and maternal as well as under-five mortalities which he described as unacceptable.

On their parts, contractors working across the senatorial districts commended the governor for promoting local contents, saying that the initiative had created thousands of both skilled and unskilled jobs in the private sector.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Chukwudi Nwankwo and Mr. Steve Oruruo, pledged that they would deliver in time, even as they underscored that some of them were already at completion stage.

By Uchenna Okeh

No fewer than five aircrafts have landed at the Chuba Okadigbo’s international airport after the runway rehabilitation by Ebonyi State government led by governor Francis Nwifuru.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that the first aircraft conveying the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and other prominent Nigerians have landed safely at the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport located at Onueke Ezza South LGA.

It was gathered that the 5 aircrafts landed, after one year of rehabilitation of the runway wherein over #17.8 billion was spent by governor Francis Nwifuru’s led administration.

The commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, expressed gratitude to the regulatory bodies in Nigeria; the FAN, NACA, NCAA, NEMA and Nigeria air state management for approving flights operations at the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport.

According to her: “Today is my happiest day, since 2024 that a landmark was made, you know after the rehabilitation of the runway and completion of the ashaphating, we were doubtful if all the regulatory bodies in Nigeria; the FAN, NACA, NCAA, NEMA and Nigeria air state management whether they will approve of it, and today by the Grace of God, it is done.

“We have received the first aircraft that brought in the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje to Ebonyi state for the burial of our dear son and the former minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.

“We are very happy that the Chuba Okadigbo international Airport is now open. From next week, we will be having flights coming in and going out. The opening of the flight operation in Chuba Okadigbo airport is a welcome development and we give thanks to God and all appreciation to the workaholic governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, who doggeredly achieved this great fate.

“It has not been easy but the governor’s prudence, transparency, dedication and commitment has brought this to us, and we are very grateful.

“We are expecting five aircrafts but one has landed, still expecting the remaining four other aircrafts to land” she noted.

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

The Traditional ruler of Amurri ancient kingdom in Nkanu west Council area of Enugu state, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye, has stressed on the need for the preservation and propagation of the Igbo culture and tradition in the south east region.

He stressed that posterity won’t forgive the custodians, if igbo culture and tradition is allowed to go into extinction.

Nwoye, posited that any race that does not promote its culture and tradition, which remains the people’s way of life, are doing a disservice to such claims.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that notable personalities as the incumbent Senator representing Enugu East senatorial district, Kelvin Chukwu, immediate past Enugu state Chairman of the ruling All progressives Congress, APC Dr. Ben Nwoye, late Nollywood legend, John Okafor, fondly known as (Mr Ibu), amongst others hails from the Community which is comprising of four villages.

Speaking during the 2024 annual popular Oriri Anu Amurri which is a combination of their new yam festival held at the Community’s market square yesterday, the monarch insisted that the history of a people will be incomplete without their culture and tradition record.

He therefore urged natural rulers in Igbo land to keep doing everything within their powers to ensure that the culture and traditions of their localities do not go into extinction in their respective domains in the name of civilization.

He said: “What we are doing here today, being Afor market day, is remarkable in the history of Amurri ancient kingdom. We are marking what has been in existence from time immemorial”

According to Igwe Nwoye, “it is only aeculogist that can test the soil and trees to ascertain how long this Community has been existing, and even at that, they can only use the word about, which may not be accurate”

“So, what we have gathered here today to celebrate is what we call Oriri Anu Amurri Esato obodo Esato. Oriri, simply means celebration, while Anu means the soil. We are celebrating the soil.

“During the farming season, we cultivate, we plant different seedlings and produce into the soil, and by the beginning of November, we will begin to harvest and make bumper harvest .

The Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, who spoke through his Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Patrick Ubru, applauded the Amurri people for their zeal and resilience in farming which he said, is in line with his administration’s commitment in boosting food production and sufficiency.

He assured the people that his government would continue to provide farmers both rural and mechanized ones the conducive environment so as to enhance food sufficiency and make the state food basket in South East Nigeria, restating his resolve in accordance with Agriculture sectors the topmost priority.

Also speaking at the colorful ceremony, the immediate past chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu State, Ben Nwoye stressed the need for religious groups to always imbibe the culture of tolerance.

The APC chieftain who is a Crown Prince in the Community noted that before the advent of the Europeans that led to the acceptance of Christianity in Africa, natives had their ancient ways of worshipping their gods.

Going down memory lane, he recalled that the natives accommodated various Christian denominations like Catholic Church, Methodist, among others.

The former Federal Commissioner further disclosed that apart from accommodating Christianity, the natives gave its denominations places where they built schools and churches.

Nwoye therefore appealed to Christians and Muslims and other religions to also tolerate the traditional worshippers and not to disperse them.

” We call on the Christian religion to also be accommodative and not to go to any community and disperse them. The way of worship of Amuri people is the ancient way of worship and the God that created us still hears us” he stated.

Nwoye further noted that the Amuri community, like the Christian religion, has a pilgrimage center where people go and pray for solutions to their needs including wealth.

He explained that the cultural celebration is also used to seek for peace, adding that the priests of the land have already showered blessings on them.

Also speaking, the Chief Priest of Amuri, John Njoku stated that they use the event to celebrate the new yam festival and appreciate the land of Amuri.

In an interview, Senator Chukwu, described this year’s festival as unique, saying it provided sons and daughters of Amurri kingdom the opportunity of coming together as always to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the locality

He promised to attract his colleagues to attend that of 2025, adding that as a Senator, he would continue to support his people ensuring that the festival is sustained.

By, Uchenna Okeh

The vice chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh has vowed to attract over #70 billion naira to the varsity and uplift the standard of teaching and learning within the period of five years of his tenure.

Odoh, who addressed a mammoth crowd of stakeholders and students at the Church service, in Akwa disclosed plans to position UNIZIK among Africa’s top 50 universities and within the top 500 globally.

He said that the funding of projects would come from tuition fees, partnerships, and grants, with a focus on Public-Private Partnerships expected to raise over N10 billion by co-financing critical infrastructure projects and supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives.

“As part of our commitment, we’ve distributed a ‘social contract’ booklet outlining our five-year vision for UNIZIK,”

He reminded the University Community that politics of the selection of the Vice-Chancellor was over and that there was no controversy over the powers of the Governing Council and the Visitor of the University over the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

“The era of politics over the VC selection is behind us; let’s focus on moving UNIZIK forward,” Odoh stated.

The Vice-Chancellor issued a stern warning against disloyalty and indiscipline, emphasizing his intent to foster unity and commitment across the university.

“The law of the university is clear, and I was appointed through due process. I won’t entertain divided loyalties. I’ll approach my role with humility but will be strict in enforcing policies. From day one, discipline is non-negotiable. UNIZIK has been on a decline, and we must all work together to revive it.”

Odoh, an alumnus of the university, underscored his dedication by announcing plans to reside on campus.

“I want to experience what students and staff experience. If there’s a power outage, I’ll feel it too. My goal is to live and work here closely with the community,” he said.

Outlining his vision, the VC highlighted his experience as both an academic and a businessman, expressing confidence in his ability to attract substantial funding and drive reforms.

“We aim to raise N70 billion over five years, utilizing PPPs and other funding channels.

“Currently, UNIZIK ranks 22nd among Nigerian universities—a position I find unacceptable. My goal is to elevate our university into Africa’s top 50 and to compete globally among the top 500 institutions,” Odoh stated

Odoh outlined the core objectives of his administrative blueprint to include “Development of Industry- Ready Graduates, Enhance Research and Development, Integrate Disruptive Technologies, Strengthen Industry- Academia Partnerships and Achieve Sustainable Growth”.

Earlier in a sermon during the mass presided by the Chaplain of St. Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy UNIZIK, Rev. Fr. Religious Ezeokonkwo, the homilist, Rev. Fr Evaristus Iheanacho in a sermon titled “Call to Serve” urged every member of the university community to work hard in upholding the motto of the institution in character and learning.

“I urge all members of this great citadel of learning to work together and in unity to restore the glory of this University. Only change is constant and positive change is what this University needs”.

He prayed to God to give Prof. Odoh the grace, strength and ability to do things right, fix things in their proper place and ensure progress of teaching, learning and especially, character formation.

The priest charged the Vice-Chancellor to discharge his duties with all diligence and do good to all men without bias, fear or favour.

Responding, Prof. Kenneth Nwogu from the university’s Faculty of Law, who spoke on behalf of other staff, passed a vote of confidence on him, assuring that they would support him to move the institution to an enviable heights.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that beginning with a church service at St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy of the University was attended by over 100 priests, Professors, Deans and Heads of Department among others.

By, Chinelo Ude, Enugu

The Bank of Industry (BOI) on Tuesday said that 17,000 people will benefit from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s conditional grant Scheme (PCGS) in Enugu State.

The Branch Head, Bank of Industry, Enugu, Mrs Anuli Akabuogu disclosed this during a town hall meeting on the presidential conditional grant scheme in Enugu.

Akabuogu said that the Federal Government had various interventions as BOI was chosen as one the agencies to handle the intervention programme.

She said that N4.3bn had been disbursed to beneficiaries in Enugu State, adding that there were others that had been enumerated but yet to receive the grant of N50,000 which would be concluded soon.

She explained that the N75bn for Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was another intervention programme of the FG and it was targeted towards reducing the cost of production for the MSMEs.

“This is because we know that the cost of production has really gone high especially with the removal of fuel subsidies,” she said.

Mr Arinze Offia, Head of Enugu Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs) Center said that nine thousand people had benefited from the scheme so far.

Offia added that the scheme was for the 17 local government areas of Enugu, urging others who have not applied to make use of the opportunity and apply immediately.

Also speaking, Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said that the N200bn Presidential Intervention Fund comparing the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and Loan Scheme for MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises in the emerging global market was timely.

Okeke represented by Mrs Chukwumuanya Okeagu said it would create a common market for Africa, especially with the standard harmonisation programme in Africa.

Mr Eberechukwu Ijeomah, Enugu State Manager, Small and Medium- Enterprises of Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) urged the participants to always key into the FG intervention programme so as to benefit as other regions in the country.

Ijeomah advised them to also ask questions about all government programmes in order not to be left out, adding that SMEDAN is always there to help.

The Regional Manager, Access Bank, Mr Daniel Nzeka said that the PCGS was part of the efforts of the FG to make sure that banks were easily accessible as the bank has various loans for Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs).

Nzeka urged everyone to make maximum use of the opportunity as Access Bank was there to support them in any way.

One of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Mr Okechukwu Uche expressed his joy over the amount he got.

He said he thought it was a scam at the beginning but after applying, within a short period he got the grant.