NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Enugu/Ebonyi Staff Welfare Association of Federal Polytechnic Oko has commended the institution’s Rector, Chioma Irene Awuzie, for what it described as significant strides in infrastructure development, staff and student welfare, and academic advancement. The commendation was conveyed during a courtesy visit to the Rector at her office, where the association expressed solidarity with her administration and acknowledged her contributions to the growth of the institution. In a letter jointly signed by the association’s Chairman, Emeka Icha Ituma, and Secretary, Ursula Nkechi Ugwoke, the group said the visit was also to identify with the Rector, who spent part of her early life in Ihe, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The association noted that within a relatively short period, Dr. Awuzie has repositioned the polytechnic through a series of impactful projects and reforms. Among the projects highlighted were the construction of a security building, the activation ...

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has approved its timetable for congresses, primaries and national convention ahead of forthcoming electoral activities, with May 30, 2026, slated for both its National Convention and presidential primary. The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the party’s 25th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at its National Secretariat in Abuja. According to the communiqué signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Wale Martins, the schedule of activities will commence with Ward Congresses on May 21, followed by Local Government Congresses on May 22 and State Congresses on May 23. The party fixed May 24 for House of Assembly primaries, May 25 for House of Representatives and Senate primaries, and May 26 for governorship primaries, culminating in the National Convention and presidential primary on May 30. The NEC also approved nomination fees for aspirants, pegging House of Assembly forms at N1.5...

The Federal Government has rolled out a comprehensive welfare package for civil servants, including a N10 billion housing loan scheme, enhanced allowances, and a new exit benefit structure aimed at improving the financial security of workers before and after retirement. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, announced the reforms at a press briefing in Abuja, describing the initiative as a decisive step toward aligning public service welfare with prevailing economic realities. She said the reforms reflect the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to prioritising workers’ welfare and strengthening the public service system. “This marks a shift from policy promises to tangible benefits,” Walson-Jack said, adding that the package is designed to provide both immediate relief and long-term support for government employees. At the heart of the reforms is a newly introduced Exit Benefit Scheme, which guarantees 100 per cent o...

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to strengthen internal security, the ongoing police recruitment exercise has reached a decisive stage, with the Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), fixing April 28 to 30, 2026, for the written examination of prospective constables. The nationwide exercise, scheduled across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, represents a critical phase in the multi-stage recruitment process for both General Duty and Specialist applicants. For thousands of young Nigerians, it is a significant opportunity to join the country’s security architecture at a time of heightened demand for effective policing. In Anambra State, the examination will be conducted at the Federal Government Technical College, Awka, where only candidates who successfully passed the earlier physical and credentials screening have been cleared to participate. Eligible applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruit...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has approved the appointment of new directors and the reappointment of others in a move aimed at strengthening the institution’s administrative framework and improving operational efficiency. The announcement, made available to the polytechnic community, underscores the Rector’s commitment to repositioning the institution for enhanced productivity, accountability and academic excellence. According to the statement, the newly appointed directors are expected to inject fresh ideas and renewed energy into their respective offices, while those reappointed were retained in recognition of their competence, dedication and impactful service during their previous tenures. The restructuring is widely regarded as a strategic step to consolidate the gains recorded under the current administration, particularly in institutional development, staff welfare and academic innovation. Speaking on the development, Dr. ...

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command , SP Tochukwu Ikenga, has disclosed that operatives of the Command, in a joint security operation, rescued an abducted victim and arrested three suspected kidnappers in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State . The operation, carried out on the evening of April 18, 2026, involved police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in collaboration with members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, Nnobi. Acting on credible intelligence, the team stormed a bush at Umuezeala Awuda Village, leading to the successful rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspects. The suspects were identified as Chidalu Obi, 25; Chichebem Ojenigbo, 26; and Chikannechukwu Eze, 20. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the victim, an electrician, under the pretext of offering him a job. Upon arrival at the agreed location, he was reportedly blindfolded at g...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has approved the appointment of Mr. Oguegbu Celestine Udoka as the institution’s new Public Relations Officer (PRO). Until his appointment, Oguegbu served as Head of the Rector’s Media Team, a role in which he distinguished himself through professionalism, strategic communication, and effective coordination of media activities within the Polytechnic community. His elevation to the position of PRO is widely seen as a recognition of his competence, dedication, and consistent delivery in managing the institution’s public communication channels. As Public Relations Officer, Oguegbu is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Polytechnic’s public image, improving the flow of information, and fostering constructive engagement with stakeholders, partners, and the wider public.

The youth Wing of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described the Aerodrome Certification received by the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as part of the manifestation of Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership prowess in the state.  It could be recalled that days ago, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, issued the first ever international certification to the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.  Reacting, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was one of the confirmations that Enugu is the destination for business and investment opportunities.  Okwu stated that Governor Mbah’s efforts in totally reforming every sector in the State had placed Enugu on the world map.  “The development prowess of His, Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, has made Enugu a cynosure of all eyes; the coal city is now a destination choice for businesses and investments,” Okw...

By Echezona Okafor NNEWI, ANAMBRA  A long-running inheritance dispute within the Ojukwu family of Mbanagu, Otolo in Nnewi has escalated into violence, following the killing of a key witness and rising allegations of intimidation, conflicting testimonies, and institutional lapses. Mr. Joseph Nnadozie Ojukwu, a Kano-based businessman, has raised alarm over threats to his life after the fatal shooting of Mr. Aaron Ojukwu on February 8, 2026. The deceased was reportedly killed shortly after testifying in an ongoing court case over disputed family land. The dispute centers on a controversial will allegedly left behind by the late family patriarch, who died in 2001. The document is said to have allocated a larger share of landed assets to his second wife, an action now being challenged in court by Joseph and other aggrieved family members. However, fresh details have introduced contradictions into the matter. Records indicate that in 2006, when the family was sued by their br...

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe Awka No fewer, than 3,185 undergraduate students and 803 postgraduate students would be graduating during the convocation ceremony, a development attributed to increased enrollment, improved academic standards, and renewed confidence in the institution, which when compared with what the narrative used to be in the past. The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, stated this on Tuesday, 21st April, 2026 while addressing journalists at the university ahead of its 16th convocation ceremony, where she also highlighted some present and future-focused reforms aimed at expanding access, quality, and global competitiveness of the state-owned University. She has equally disclosed that an ambitious vision is put in place to position the institution among Nigeria’s top 10 public universities and within the top 1000 globally before 2027, even as she announced the push towards the introduction of Open and Dista...