NIGERIAN NOTCH

In a remarkable demonstration of effective leadership and a keen vision for institutional development, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, the newly appointed substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state, has accomplished an impressive array of infrastructural projects within her first 100 days in office. In recent months, the Federal Polytechnic has witnessed a remarkable transformation under her leadership. Taking office as rector, she has demonstrated an inspiring commitment to expanding the institution’s infrastructure and enhancing its capacity to provide quality education and services. Within her first 100 days, Dr. Awuzie initiated and completed several key projects, all of which are poised to significantly benefit students, staff, and the local community. Dr. Awuzie assumed the role of rector with a clear vision: to create an educational environment that not only fosters academic excellence but also equips students with practical skills that enhance their ...

Former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's claims of reviving Nigeria's economy, describing it as an insult to millions of Nigerians currently enduring severe hardship. Wabara argued that if Tinubu's assertions were accurate, Nigerians would be the first to testify to the administration's achievements. Instead, the reality on the ground shows soaring inflation, widespread hunger, and deepening poverty, contradicting the President's remarks. "The first sign of improvement will be reflected in market prices," Wabara said, urging Tinubu to focus on real economic reforms rather than making rhetorical statements. He called for a review of key economic policies, particularly those related to multiple taxation, which he believes are stifling businesses and worsening living conditions. Wabara also highlighted the urgent nee...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recent incident where students sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in darkness, describing it as a "national disgrace." The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has given WAEC a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before it and explain the circumstances surrounding the examination. Atiku expressed outrage over the incident, stating that it is unacceptable and unjustifiable for students to write critical national exams in pitch darkness. He demanded that the affected examination paper be retaken in all compromised centers, emphasizing that anything less would be a grave injustice to the students. Atiku highlighted the need for immediate action to address systemic failures in Nigeria's education sector. He urged the relevant authorities to establish and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all high-stakes national ...

A devastating midnight flood in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed 21 lives, with scores of people still missing. The flood, caused by torrential rainfall, swept through 50 residential houses in Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities, catching residents and commuters off guard. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa Local Government Authority, local divers, and volunteers, is conducting search and rescue operations to recover survivors and bodies. Three survivors, including a woman and her two children, are receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa General Hospital. The flood has caused widespread destruction, with several vehicles trapped in the floodwaters. Drivers and commuters struggled to navigate through the waters, with no immediate rescue efforts available. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the disaster, stating that the agency is working tirelessly to ...

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has announced plans to meet with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) on July 23, 2025, to present bills currently under consideration and seek their support for passage. The committee said it would also meet with the Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly at a joint retreat with Senate Constitution Review members to harmonise bills and ensure consistency across the country. The House committee further slated an engagement with media executives, including the Guild of Editors, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society organisations, and the diplomatic community, amongst others, to facilitate public discussions and education on constitutional issues and promote transparency and accountability in the review process. The meetings are a part of the Committee’s efforts to ensure the successful passage of key bills in the review by December 2025. The Deputy Speaker and House Constitution Review Committee Ch...

The Anambra State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu, has announced the intensification of security patrols and strategic junction takeovers across the state. This move is aimed at ensuring peace and security ahead of the planned illegal sit-at-home on May 30th, 2025. In a press statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that the Police-led Joint Security Force, comprising various security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Army, and Navy, has increased its presence in key areas, including Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, and Oraifite. The Commissioner of Police attributed the increased motivation of security agencies to the cooperation and support received from Ndi Anambra, who have joined voices to condemn any act that threatens national peace. This collective effort has strengthened...

...Lauds Soludo, Ibezim For Land Dispute Interventions  By Echezona Okafor, Nnewi. The CEO Pineleaf Estate Homes and Properties Ltd, Bishop Dr. Onyeka Nzekwesi has debunked a social media publication which partly reads "Anambra Family Laments Intimidation, Harassment by Estate Developer, Seeks Soludo’s Intervention to restrain Bishop Onyeka Nzekwesi from further harassing Okwesi Family of Awkuzu in Oyi LGA on their own property" describing it as false, mere cheap propaganda meant to attract sympathy to a notorious family which is the architect of their own troubles. Addressing newsmen at his country home Eziowelle, Idemili North LGA Anambra State, Bishop Onyeka Nzekwesi said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has already intervened in the said expanse of land which the Okwesi Family have been claiming ownership of, lauding His Excellency for maintaining peace and order at different communities in the state which could have been embattled in inter Commu...

From Echezona Okafor, Nnewi The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia state, under Justice K.O. Ogundare, has awarded one million naira (N1m) damages jointly and severally against the Nigerian Police Force, Zone 9, Umuahia, over the voillation of the Fundamental Human Rights of two citizens of Nigeria, Chiamaka Nsionu and Amarachi Chidi, under Section 35(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. The duo, through their learned counsel, Chima Nnamdi, in the suit: FHC/UM/CS/79/2023, sought, among other reliefs, a declaration of the court that arrest of the applicants: Chiamaka Nsionu and Amarachi Chidi, on 18th May, 2023, at the premesis of Nelico Biochemical Industries Ltd., Asa-Umunka, Abia state, and their subsequent detention at Zone 9 Police, Umuahia, by the police operatives until 20th May, 2023, is illegal, unconstitutional and void being inconsistent with Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as the applicants did not commit an...

From Kossy Ebunilo Mass Communication Department Fedpoly, Oko Like the Halley’s Comet that orbits the earth every 75 years; like a wild fire in the harmattan season, the emergence of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko on 4th February, 2025 revolutionalized leadership of the polytechnic. As an internally generated rector, Dr. Awuzie is armed with the recurrent problems of the polytechnic like the back of her hand; unlike a “poached” rector from outside the polytechnic - akin to a fish out of water. The achievements of the rector thus far are overwhelming and inspiring. The palm kernels were not cracked for the rector by a benevolent spirit -  the rector cracked them herself! It is difficult keeping tabs of the dizzying activities of the young, visionary, vibrant, virile, energetic, fiery, resilient, result-oriented, promising and proactive rector because, virtually every new day brings forth tidings of accomplishments and breakthr...

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Federal Polytechnic, Oko chapter, has commended the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Irene Chioma Awuzie, for her giant strides in the academic, social and infrastructural developments of the institution in the past one hundred days that she held sway as the first internally generated substantive female rector of the school. Chairman of NASU in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Comrade Emmanuel Okolie, gave the commendation in a statement in Oko, Anambra state at the weekend. Okolie said that NASU is deeply inspired by the winds of transformation sweeping through the institution under Dr. Irene Chioma Awuzie within a little space of time.  He said that despite stiff oppositions that greeted the rector before and after her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on February 4th, 2025, she was not deterred, but continued to wax stronger to deliver and fulfill all the promises she made when she a...