NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has been conferred with the Distinguished Platinum Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership qualities, visionary direction, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation. The honour was bestowed on her on Thursday, October 16, during the 3rd Hybrid International Conference of the School of Financial Studies, held at the Polytechnic Auditorium, Extension Site, Oko. Other notable awardees included the former Acting Chairman of the Polytechnic’s Governing Council, Hon. Omonibeke Kemelayefa; former Acting Rector, Dr. Ubaka Chukwugekwu; former Council Member, Dr. Joseph Chike Aroh; Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde, Barr. JBC Obikwelu, Dr. Adaobi Ifejiofor, and Dr. Uche Chukwudire. Declaring the conference open, Dr. Awuzie commended the Dean of the School of Financial Studies, Dr. Nkechi Aroh, and the entire faculty for their consistency in promoting scholarship and for...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have commenced a two-day capacity-building forum in Awka, Anambra State, aimed at promoting ethical reporting, inclusivity, and accountability among media practitioners ahead of the November governorship election in the state. The event, supported by the European Union (EU) under the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, brought together journalists, editors, civil society representatives, and security agencies to deliberate on strategies for fair and credible electoral coverage. In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized that a free and independent press remains a cornerstone of democracy and credible elections. He urged authorities and political actors to respect press freedom and allow journalists to perform their constitutional duties without harassment or censorship. “The courage of journalists who tell th...

The Youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has come hard on the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Abdullahi over his verbal attack on former Enugu governor, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Abdullahi while appearing on Arise TV earlier in the week, said Ugwuanyi’s political role had diminished in Enugu State. He went as far as saying the former governor had reduced himself into a PA to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, literally carrying a bag for him, Wike. However, his claims did not go down well with the Ohanaeze youths, who questioned how he arrived at such baseless attacks on Ugwuanyi. In a statement by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he accused Abdullahi of either suffering selective amnesia or pretending not to know Ugwuanyi’s political prowess in Enugu State.  Okwu recalled that “Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as governor ...

From Echezona Okafor, Nnewi Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra state has called on the people not to disrupt the ongoing zoning arrangements among the three senatorial districts in the state, which has enabled power to rotate the three zones - one after another - without friction. The Anambra governor cautioned that voting a candidate outside Anambra South district in the November 8, 2025 election in the state will disrupt zoning. He also warned that voting any candidate from Anambra South other than him will mean giving the zone 12 years, as against the normal 8 years. Soludo gave the admonition on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, during a political rally organized in Nkpor, Idemili North local government area of the state.  "Zoning of governorship slot among Anambra Central, Anambra North and Anambra South has come to stay. It has brought stability to the political environment of the state. From Peter Obi to Obiano, now to Soludo, the governorahip slot has succe...

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, Hon. Boma Goodhead, has commended Zobis Electrical Nigeria Limited for maintaining international standards in its manufacturing processes and for its contribution to Nigeria’s industrial growth. Hon. Goodhead gave the commendation during an oversight visit to the company’s production facility located in Okoti, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Speaking to journalists after inspecting the plant, she praised the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ezeobi John, for his commitment to excellence and innovation, describing Zobis products as “among the best in Nigeria.” “Our oversight visit is to ensure that local manufacturers produce to global standards and can compete favourably anywhere in the world. I must commend Zobis Electrical for maintaining such a high standard,” Hon. Goodhead said. She further urged the company to sustain its quality assurance and continue aligning with the o...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have commenced a two-day forum in Awka, Anambra State, aimed at strengthening media reportage, inclusivity, and accountability among stakeholders ahead of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election. The forum, supported by the European Union under the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, brings together journalists, editors, and civil society actors to discuss ways of improving electoral coverage and ensuring fair and ethical reporting. In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized that free and independent media is vital to deepening democracy and ensuring credible elections. He called on authorities and political actors to allow journalists perform their constitutional role as watchdogs of society without intimidation or censorship. According to him, “The courage of journalists who tell the ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has appointed Dr. Chikwelu Mbonu of the Department of Accountancy as the new Director of the Open, Distance and Flexible e-Learning (ODFEL) Directorate. Open, Distance and Flexible Learning is an innovative educational approach that combines online instruction with periodic face-to-face interactions, offering students the flexibility to learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. Dr. Mbonu, who previously served as Dean of the School of Financial Studies, expressed his appreciation to the Rector for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to reposition the directorate in line with the Rector’s transformative vision and progressive educational policies aimed at elevating the Polytechnic’s academic standards and expanding access to quality education. The appointment underscores Dr. Awuzie’s commitment to enhancing academic delivery through modern learning platforms and promoting inclusivity in higher educat...

RAYMOND OZOJI reports  The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) says it aided arrest of some of the suspects linked to the murder of Arise TV newscaster Miss Somtochukwu Maduagwu and the security man on duty, Barnabas Danlami.  Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence Department) of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Dr. John Metchie who hailed the courage and intrepid disposition of the operatives of NFSS, said the role of the NFSS in the arrest of the suspects showed that the NFSS was the missing link in the nation's security architecture.  Metchie who spoke with this journalist exclusively on why governments at all levels should see the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) as a dependable complimentary security formation in the fight against crime and criminality, said that the NFSS provided critical support to the Nigeria Police in apprehending the armed robbery suspects who killed the Arise TV newscaster and security man on duty.  He noted that the NFS...

By Law Mefor  A brand new Anambra State is rising before the eyes of the world. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, came into office well-prepared with his ambitious desire to turn Anambra State from a departure lounge to a destination of choice. It has been a praiseworthy work-in-progress turning Anambra into a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city where people can long to visit, live, learn, work, relax, and enjoy.  The concrete steps taken by Governor Soludo to put the requisite infrastructures in place have earned him the lofty title of “Oluatuegwu” from all the zones of Anambra State, even as he retains the humble mien of his natal sobriquet: Charlie Nwamgbafor! A lot of people may have forgotten that before Charlie Nwamgbafor came into office, eight local government areas, namely Aguata, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Ihiala, were under siege by the vicious “Unknown Gunmen”. Soludo created a functional securit...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has taken swift action to address the growing threat posed by a gully erosion site in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area. Responding to a distress call, operatives of the RS5.36 Oraifite Unit Command, acting on the directive of the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhaauno, promptly mobilized to the scene to safeguard motorists and pedestrians. The team, working in collaboration with Tamaic Construction Company, the Ekwusigo Mayor and his team, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Works, immediately put safety measures in place to manage traffic and avert accidents. The construction company also assisted in adjusting barricades and realigning diversions to improve movement around the affected area. The Federal Comptroller of Works, Engr. Okpara, alongside his field team, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion site to evaluate the extent of the damage and deter...