NEWS
Bill to Establish Federal University, Okigwe, Passes 2nd Reading
The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Okigwe, Imo.This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor Sen. Ndubueze Patrick (APC – Imo North) at plenary on Thursday.Patrick said the bill sought to provide for establishment of Federal University, Okigwe, Imo.
According to him, the school will be saddled with the main function of providing quality education that will train the younger generation in different professional fields both at graduate and post graduate levelsHe listed the fields to include agriculture, environmental sciences, epidemiology and virology, robotics and nuclear technology. The lawmaker said the training of the young Nigerians on the courses would not only reduce unemployment, but also guarantee food security for the host state and the nation at large.Patrick said the proposed site for the federal university had a first phase built up with structures meant for the unrealised engineering faculty which had been abandoned.He said the Imo Government had graciously granted approval for all the facilities to be taken over by the proposed federal university.Patrick said that the state government’s gesture would result in a minimal initial cost outlay to start the institution.“The location is a large expanse of land in a serene environment on the bank of Imo River; away from the hustle, bustle and noise associated with the city.“It is therefore suitable for research and learning; the establishment of a Federal University in Okigwe zone in Imo North will come with employment of junior workers from the area.“This will reduce youth unemployment and bring the incidence of insecurity to a manageable level.”He said the arable nature of the area would be of immense benefit to the proposed federal university in the area of agricultural research and production.“The university, if put in place, will complement the inadequate opportunity for university education provided by the few tertiary institutions in the South-East zone.“It will thus give the south easterners a sense of belonging and enhance national unity, since admission will cut across Nigeria as a whole.’’According to him, the objectives of the university, among others, include provision of higher education for qualified JAMB candidates who have been repeatedly sitting for the exams due to lack of vacancy for admission.“Other objectives are provision of relevant professional courses and training research in agriculture, fisheries, environmental sciences and technology and more importantly nuclear technology.“Also to be provided are cancer and health related studies with well- equipped faculties and departments to give the students required knowledge in the specialised fields,” he said.He said the establishment of the school would help improve food security considering proximity of the university to Imo River.He urged lawmakers to support the bill for its second reading.President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the bill was read the second time, referred it to Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative inputs and to be returned to plenary in four weeks.(NAN)
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
Fury Fails in Revenge Mission Against Usyk
Share Tyson Fury’s mission to avenge his only professional defeat ended in crushing disappointment Saturday evening as he lost on...
Abuja Stampede: Wike Directs Free Treatment for Victims
Share Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that...
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
ShareThe Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in...
Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina
ShareA Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani...
FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah...
PenCom Issues Over 38,000 Pension Clearance Certificates – D-G
Share The National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Thursday said it had issued over 38,000 Pension Clearance Certificates (PCC) so far...
Bill to Rename Benue Varsity Passes Second Reading
ShareThe bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, after the second civilian governor of the state, Rev. Fr...
Benue Assembly Summons Former Special Adviser on Missing N1.78bn
Share The Benue House of Assembly presided over by its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo has summoned the former special adviser to...
Buhari Once Rejected Land Offer During His Tenure- Garba Shehu
Share Former President Muhammadu Buhari once rejected an offer of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during his tenure....
2024: Adamawa Police Arrest 715 Suspects
Share The Adamawa Police Command has in 1 year operations arrested 715 suspected criminals, who were indicted in violent crimes...