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General news

#EndSARS: Protest paralyses vehicular traffic in Nsukka Town 

#EndSARS: Protest paralyses vehicular traffic in Nsukka Town

Protest
By Hillary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State), Oct. 17, 2020 (NAN) Human and vehicular traffic were grounded on Saturday on major road’s in Nsukka town, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, as a result of  the #EndSARS protest.
The large number of protesters converged at the Union Primary School Nsukka, as early as 10 am, and went through Nsukka Barracks to Achara,  Aku, Enugu road among others.
Speaking to newsmen, one of the protesters, Mr Chidi Onah a lawyer and human rights activist said youths in the Nsukka senatorial district, also joined their counterparts nationwide to support the #EndSARS campaign, end to police brutality, as well as calling on the Federal Government to totally reform the Nigerian police.
“Today, youth’s in Nsukka senatorial district are joining their counterparts in different parts of the country to support the #EndSARS protest and police brutality in the country.
“The protest is also calling on government to totally reform the Nigeria police force to enable them to perform better and respect citizen’s human rights,”he said.
Also speaking, Mozzie Michael,  a former President of  Rotaract Club in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, said the request of Nigerian youths  were simply, for the Federal Government to #EndSARS, curb police brutality as well as total reformation of Nigerian police.
“The number of youths participating in the nationwide #EndSARS protests and police brutality is an indication that police brutality has touched almost all families in Nigeria,”he said.
While Addressing the protesters at the Nsukka Area Command, Mr Abraham Gyenger, the Divisional Crime Officer ( DCO), commended the youth’s for being peaceful in their protest and urged them to “keep it up”.
Gyenger said the police provided security for protesters to ensure that hoodlums did not hijack the peaceful protest.
” I am addressing you as the most senior police officer, because the Nsukka Area Commander, his  second in command and the Nsukka Urban DPO are not in the office,”he said.
Also addressing the protesters at Adada House Nsukka, Mr Cosmas Ugwueze, the Council Chairman of Nsukka Local Government, commended the protesters for conducting the protest in a peaceful manner and urged them to remain peaceful.
“We are in support of  your protest that is targeted towards making the country a better place for all Nigerians,” he said.(NAN)
HOA/ERO
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08035979177
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara)
General news

r Clark’s death, a great loss to literary world- Prof Opata, others

Clark

By Hilary Aklalugwu

Nsukka (Enugu State) Oct 14, 2020 (NAN) Prof Damian Opata of the Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) says the death of John Pepper Clark, is a great loss to the literary world.

Opata said this in Nsukka on Wednesday while reacting to the death of Clark on Tuesday October 13.

He said Clark was a renowned creative writer and  poet whose literary works contributed immensely  to the development of literature and education.

“I received the news of the literary giant demise with shock and sadness.

‘The death of Clark has robbed the world of a creative writer, renowned poet, erudite professor and a literary icon,” he said.

The Don said Clark used his literary work to educate, inspire,  persuade as well as to promote the culture of his people.

“Clark will forever be remembered for his numerous literary work that have contributed immensely to the  development of literature as well as impacted positively to humanity.

“The death of the renowned poet and literary giant marks the end of an era,” he said.

Opata urged the family of Clark, relations and entire country to take solace that the literary giant lived a exemplary life as well as  used his life  to impact positively to mankind in chosen field of study.

In her tribute, Dr Adaobi Nwoye, President, Coal City Literary Forum, regretted that Clark died unsung.

Nwoye noted that many young writers never knew about him adding that they should borrow a leaf from him and condemn social ills in their literary works.

”Contemporary writers no longer write like Clark who always passed strong messages in his literary works. That is what he stood for,”.

She prayed for the repose of his soul saying that he would surely be missed.

It would be recalled that, John Pepper Clark, the renowned Poet and Emeritus Professor of Literature, from Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, died on Tuesday October 13, at the age of 85. (NAN)

HOA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

 

General news

NGOs, traditional rulers, others dialogue on ways to end gender-based violence 

NGOs, traditional rulers, others dialogue on ways to end gender-based violence
Workshop
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State) Oct. 8, 2020 (NAN) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), under the aegis of Men-Engage Nigeria Network, have charged traditional rulers and religious bodies to support the fight to end gender-based violence in the communities.
The National Director of Men-Engage, Mrs Evelyn Joseph, gave the charge on Thursday in Nsukka during a one-day workshop, organised by the group and sponsored by Sonike Gender Justice.
Joseph said that the workshop was designed “to engage traditional rulers and church leaders in Nsukka on how to end  gender-based violence”.
She said that for the fight against gender-based violence to be won, traditional rulers and church leaders had a greater role to play.
“There is need for community and church leaders to let their subjects and congregations know the dangers of gender-based violence.
“This will make them to rally round victims, expose perpetrators as well as hand them over to the law enforcement agencies,” she said.
Dr Chimezie Attama, the Founder of Equity Watch Initiative, one of the NGOs in the Men-Engage Network, described gender-based violence as “man’s inhumanity to man and a violation of the rights of victims”.
Attama, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology and Anthropology in the  University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said gender-based violence was any violent attacks on a man or woman.
“At times, when talk about gender-based violence, some people think it is attack on women only.
“Men are also attacked only that women and children are more vulnerable.
“Gender-based violence are actions that violate the fundamental right of people, like rape, early or forced marriage, female genital mutilation, harmful widowhood practices, among others,” she said.
Attama said the workshop was designed for the group to dialogue with traditional rulers and church leaders on how to eradicate gender-based violence in their communities.
“Available statistics have shown that there is a rise in gender-based violence, especially rape, during the COVID-19 lock-down.
“I am hopeful that this workshop will help to find solutions on how to eradicate or reduce gender-based violence to the barest minimum,” she said.
Also, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, the Dean, Faculty of Social Science, UNN, commended the organisers of the workshop, saying that “gender-based violence is a critical issue that everybody must join hands to end”.
Okolie said the faculty would in due time organise a workshop on the issue for people from different walks of life to profer solutions to gender-based violence.
“We should all condemn gender-based violence, whether it is against a woman or man and ensure perpetrators are brought to book,” he said.
Igwe Patrick Okoro, the Traditional Ruler of Nkpunano Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, said traditional rulers lacked the constitutional power to handle certain critical issues in their communities.
“Yes, traditional rulers are doing their best to tackle gender-based violence in the communities.
“But if the country’s constitution has  given power to traditional rulers, some of the issues that pose challenges in communities, like gender-based violence, could have been a thing of the past.
“Traditional rulers are doing their best to maintain peace and unity in their domain but there is a limit they can go because they have no constitutional power backing them,” Okoro said.
Rev. Fr. Innocent Eneweh from Divine Mercy Parish, Ihe-Owerre Nsukka, said the only way to end the phenomenon and other ills bedeviling society was to embark on re-orientation of people’s mindset.
“There is urgent need to embark on  society re-orientation, starting from the family, in oder to correct many abnormal happenings in our society today.
“We must catch them young by teaching them good values. That is why the Bible says, “Teach a child the way he should go and when he grows he will not depart from it’, Eneweh said. (NAN)
HOA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah
Education

UNN non-academic staff join 14-day warning strike

UNN non-academic staff join 14-day warning strike
Strike
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State) Oct. 5, 2020 (NAN) The Non-Academic Staff Union of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on Monday joined the 14-day nationwide warning strike declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
JAC comprises  Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in public universities.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the congress in Nsukka, the Chairman of UNN-JAC, Mr Paul Eruah, asked workers to remain at home until the end of the strike.
Eruah warned that JAC would sanction any member found sabotaging the strike.
“After this congress you are expected to go home untill the end of the warning strike when you will be informed about the next line of action.
“But bear in mind that, if at the end of the warning strike and Federal Government failed to meet our demands it will result in indefinite strike,” he said.
Eruah said a committee had been set up to monitor and enforce total compliance with the strike and report back to JAC.
He said their action was necessitated by the inconsistency of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of salaries of members.
Also, he said the group was protesting the non-payment of earned allowance to members, in spite of various memorandum of understanding between JAC and government.
Other reasons included government’s failure to pay the arrears of the minimum wage and retirement benefits to their retired members. (NAN)
HOA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General news

MD says UNTH Obukpa hospital  is under-utilised

MD says UNTH-Obukpa hospital  is under-utilised

Visit
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State), Aug. 25, 2020 (NAN) Dr Christopher Oziri, Medical Director of University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Obupka, a branch of UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, says the hospital is under-utilised due to lack of patronage by residents of Enugu North senatorial district.

 

Oziri said this in Nsukka on Tuesday when he led some officials of UNTH-Obukpa on a visit to Nsukka Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Cosmas Ugwueze.

 

He said the hospital located at Obupka in Igboeze-South Local Government Area had medical consultants, specialist doctors in many fields of medicine that would handle many health problems.

 

“We have paediatricians, gynaecologists, consultants, specialists and doctors in various fields of medicine as well as carry out different surgeries.

 

“UNTH-Obukpa is a big hospital with 30-bed space, with doctors, nurses and other health officials that are well trained to treat various health problems.

 

“If the hospital is well utilised by the district it will reduce the referral letters given to people from the district to go to Enugu for treatment.

 

According to him, the hospital has enough doctors, specialists and consultants to handle some of the health problems people are referred to Enugu to go and treat.

 

The Director said the visit was to seek partnership with Nsukka LG in health delivery as well as solicit its assistance to fix the dilapidated access road to the hospital.

 

“We are here to solicit your support to assist in fixing the bad access road to UNTH-Obukpa hospital, we will like you to come and see the road for yourself.

 

“The road is so bad that it can cause premature labour for a pregnant woman.

 

“I don’t know if it’s one of the things preventing many people from the district from coming to UNTH-Obukpa to seek healthcare,” he said.

 

Oziri commended Ugwueze for his developmental strides especially on environmental cleanliness since he assumed office and urged him to keep it up.

 

“I am not surprised because you are a  Lawyer by profession, when learned people are in power, things are done differently and in a right way,” he said.

 

Responding, Ugwueze thanked the medical director and his team for the visit and appreciating the little his administration had achieved since assumption of office.

 

The LG boss said his administration attached special importance to health of residents especially the poor in rural areas.

 

“One of the priorities of my administration is to provide hope for the hopeless and assist the poor to have access to good healthcare.

 

“Even if you did not ask for partnership I will have asked for it as the health of residents is very important to me.

 

“Some people in rural areas have not been treated by a medical doctor not because they don’t like it but because they have no access to one.

 

“Nsukka LG will be happy to partner UNTH-Obukpa  hospital so as to improve healthcare delivery in the area,” he said.

 

The chairman commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for upgrading  Nsukka Health Centre almost to a full  hospital and equipping it which had helped immensely to increase access to healthcare in Nsukka LG.

 

“The centre is now one of the most equipped in the state,” he said.

 

Mr Damian Eze, the Secretary to Nsukka council, and Mr Chijioke Ugwu, the Chief of Staff to the council chairman were among council officials present during the visit. (NAN)
HOA/DE/DCU
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Donald Ugwu

General news

Bishop blames Christian legislators for controversial 2020 CAMA Act

 
Bishop blames Christian legislators for controversial 2020 CAMA Act
CAMA
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State), Aug. 23, 2020 (NAN) A cleric,  Bishop Godfrey Onah, has blamed Christians in the National Assembly (NASS), for the recent passage of the 2020 Companies and Allied Matters Bill (CAMA), signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Onah, who is of the Nsukka Catholic Diocese, said in a remark during the Sunday Mass that if Christians in NASS had opposed the bill it would not have been passed into law.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Aug. 7, signed the CAMA bill into law, giving provision for religious bodies and charity organisations to be regulated by the registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and a supervising minister.
“The question many Christians have been asking is, where are Christian legislators during the debate of this bill and its passage in the National Assembly?
“Because, if they had opposed this bill on the floor of the house it will not have been passed and sent to the president for assent.
“I blame Christian legislators for doing nothing and allowing the passage of the 2020 CAMA Act,” he said.
The cleric, however, wondered what Federal Government wanted to achieve in monitoring how the finances of churches in the country are managed when it contributed no dime to the church.
“Government should focus and monitor its ministries, agencies and other government institutions where it budgets billions of Naira annually and not church offerings.
“Had it been that government gave allocations to churches and decided to monitor its usage, nobody will question government,” he said.
Onah urged government as a matter of urgency to withdraw the law and amend it, since the 2020 CAMA posed a threat to churches in the country.
“It is unfair that the church is grouped among Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), in the country that should be monitored and controlled by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“The most annoying part of it is that the act empowers the CAC to suspend board of trustees including those of churches suspected to have mismanaged its finance and appoint interim managers to manage their affairs.
“If this law is implemented, what it means is that churches in the country have been reduced to ordinary secular organisations,” the cleric noted.(NAN)
HOA/COF/DCU
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Donald Ugwu
General news

Former Nsukka LG Chairman, Chinwe, mother buried amid tears in Enugu  

Former Nsukka TC Chairman, mother buried amid tears
Burial
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State) August 20 2020(NAN) The remains of Ms Chinwe Ugwu, former  Transition Committee Chairman of Nsukka Local Government and her mother, Mrs Theresa Ugwu were on Thursday buried at Ugwu-agbo Edem in Enugu State.

Mrs Ugwu, Chinwe’s mother was said to have died of shock on Aug. 4 after the death of her daughter on July 4, 2020.

In a funeral homily at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Ugwu-agbo Eden, Rev. Fr Thaddeus Ezema, the parish priest, who led other 15 priests to the service, urged Christians not to allow material wealth and position to decieve them from living godly life.
“Your wealth, education qualification and position in the society will not earn you heaven if you fail to use them to serve humanity and respect God.
“In all we do we must know that we are on pilgrimage on earth and one day we will stand before God to give account of our stewardship,” he said.
Ezema expressed  happiness  that testimonies from the community and the Church showed that both mother and daughter used their wealth and position to serve humanity and the church.
“Everybody must prepare for death since it’s inevitable and is not how many years you lived on earth that matters but how well.
“Late Chinwe used her position as Transition Committee Chairman for three months to impact positively to many people including the church.
“Always ask yourself what people will say when you die, today people are saying good of Chinwe and the mother because they lived exemplary life and respected God.
The cleric urged the family of Ugwu,  Nsukka LG and friends to take solace that both mother and daughter lived life worthy of emulation.
Earlier the remains of the late Transition Committee Chairman  was taken to Nsukka local government council for last respect.
In his tribute, the chairman of Nsukka LG, Mr Cosmas Ugwueze described Chinwe as an ‘astute politician and seasoned administrator’  who served the council for three months and delivered to the acceptance of the general public.
“Chinwe’s legacies as Transition Committee Chairman will  remain evergreen in the minds of Nsukka people and Enugu North Senatorial district.
“The death of Chinwe has robbed us of good politician, seasoned administrator and woman that had the  fear of God,” he said.
Sen Chukwuka Utazi, representing Enugu North senatorial district,  past chairmen of Nsukka LGA were among dignitaries present at the burial.
It would be recalled that late Chinwe was appointed TC Chairman for Nsukka LGA by Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on December 16, 2019 and she handed over on March 4, after Enugu State LG poll on February 29, 2020. (NAN)
HOA/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

 

General news

UNN applauds Rotaract Club for promoting environmental cleanliness 

UNN applauds Rotaract Club for promoting environmental cleanliness

 

 

Cleanliness

By Hilary Akalugwu

Nsukka (Enugu State), Aug. 19, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Charles Igwe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Wednesday applauded UNN Rotaract Club for donating 100 waste bins to the university to promote environmental cleanliness.

 

Igwe, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof Pat Okpoko, gave the commendation in Nsukka while receiving the donation.

 

He described the decision of the club to assist in keeping the environment clean and healthy as encouraging and a welcome development.

 

“I commend the club for assisting the university to maintain environmental cleanliness that promotes good health.

 

“Whenever the club needs assistance from the university, it should feel free and come, as UNN is ready to partner the club,’’ he said.

 

The VC assured the club that the waste bins donated would be put into good use immediately so as to justify the purpose of its donation.

 

In a remark, Prof. Edwin Omeje, the Dean of Students Affairs in UNN, said that what the students in the club had done showed the university had promising future leaders among its students.

 

“I am satisfied with what these students have done to help in keeping the environment clean and healthy.

 

“This shows we have many promising future leaders in this university,” he said.

 

Earlier, presenting the 100 waste bins to the VC, the President of UNN,  Mr Johnbosco Mbanugo, said the aim of the Rotaract in donating the item was to help maintain cleanliness, aesthetics and environmental hygiene in the campus.

 

Mbanugo, a 400-level student of the department of Electrical Engineering, said that UNN Rotaract Club was sponsored by Rotary Club Nsukka, District 9142.

 

“The aim of the Rotaract Club is:

 

“To provide opportunities for young individuals that will enhance their knowledge and skills.

 

“Help address the physical and social needs of their communities.

 

“Promote better relations between them and people globally through the platform of friendship and service,” he said.

 

The president commended UNN-VC for the financial support to install the metal waste bins as well as sustaining life on campus with activities in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic that made students to be at home.

 

“UNN Rotract commends the VC who has been doing well since last year he assumed office especially in the area of environmental cleanliness.

 

“UNN rotaract has over 500 students as members,” he said (NAN)

HOA/DE/DCU

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Donald Ugwu

Politics

Edo governorship election another litmus test for INEC — Activist

Edo governorship election another litmus test for INEC — Activist
Election
Nsukka (Enugu State) Aug. 19. 2020 (NAN) An Nsukka-based activist and clergyman, Rev. Chika Madu, says the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo poses another litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Madu who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, stressed that INEC should strive to ensure that the poll would be credible, free and fair.
He said: “All eyes are on INEC because Edo election is going to be another litmus test for the commission.
“INEC as an electoral umpire should ensure that all the political parties that fielded candidates for the poll were given a level playing field.”
He further charged the commission to avoid the pitfalls experienced in Kogi, Osun, Ekiti and Bayelsa state governorship elections by being neutral as an umpire.
“INEC should ensure that only people with integrity to protect the image of the commission are appointed as local government returning officers.
“The commission should also ensure adequate training for ad-hoc staff,  on how to operate card reader machines and also put the machines in good condition.”
The cleric also urged INEC to ensure that all electoral materials and personnel arrive at the polling units early to enable accreditation and voting to start at 8a.m. prompt.
“At times what causes problems in polling units is late delivery of electoral materials or incomplete materials, including the lack of result sheets.
“Adequate security should be provided in all polling units to protect electoral materials, INEC personnel and electorate during the poll,” he said.
Madu, who is the Founder of Highway to Grace Assembly Ministry, Nsukka, further implored political parties, candidates and their supporters in Edo “to play the game of politics according to the rules” and not take the poll as a do-or-die affair.
“Candidates and their supporters should avoid anything that will cause violence by conducting themselves peacefully.
“Election should not be seen as a do-or-die affair because if one loses today he or she may win tomorrow.
“We should all know that all power belongs to God and He is the one that crowns a king,” he said. (NAN)
HOA/USO/OU

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Edited by Sam Oditah/Obike Ukoh

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General news

UNN partners council to beautify Nsukka town, its environs

UNN partners council to beautify Nsukka town, its environs

Green

By Hilary Akalugwu

Nsukka, (Enugu State), Aug. 13, 2020 (NAN) The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has supplied varieties of flowers and trees to Nsukka Local Government Council of Enugu State to boost its Green Environment Project.

The flowers and trees would be planted on road sides.

Dr Eucharia Abu, Head of Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, led the team that presented the items.

“The flowers and trees will be planted on roadsides to help create shades, beautify and add aesthetic to Nsukka town and its environs.

“The flowers include: Delonix regia, (flame of the forest); Terminalia catappa (Indian almond); Tectona grandis (teak) and Sagirus romanzoffiana (queen’s palm).

“Others are Roysyonia regia (royal palm); Huracrepitens, (sandbox tree); Acacia sp. (Arabic gum tree); Gmelina arboreal (gmelina) and Eucalyptus sp. (gum tree),”she said.

Abu explained that the partnership was as a result of request made by the council chairman, Mr Cosmas Ugwueze, when he paid a courtesy visit to UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe.

“The university has always enjoyed robust cordial relationship with Nsukka Council and is ever ready to partner the council in development and human empowerment.

“We are here on the approval of UNN-VC to partner Nsukka Local Government Council in the Green Environment Project initiated by the present administration in Nsukka.

“Planting of flowers and trees in our environment do not only add to the beauty of the environment, but help to check erosion as well as serve as wind-breakers,” she said.

Mr Elias Ani, the Supervisor for Agriculture and Veterinary Services, who received the team, thanked the university for the partnership.

“Ugwueze is emulating the good example of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in beautifying and adding aesthetic to Enugu, the state capital by planting flowers and trees,” he said.

According to the supervisor, the flowers and trees would be planted on road sides of major roads in Nsukka town and its environs. (NAN)

HOA/ESAN/OU

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Obike Ukoh

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