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By Madu Obi The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Esimone has appointed Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the former Director of Public Relations and Protocol in the university, as his Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties. Ojukwu held the image making portfolio of the university from 2007 to 2019 before moving into the academic cadre as a lecturer. Until his recent appointment, Ojukwu was a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science. The new Special Adviser is expected to advise the Vice Chancellor in critical areas of stakeholder engagement and other duties as may be assigned to him by the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Emma Ojukwu, who studied English Language at the University of Benin, also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and a PhD in Political Science. His wife, Dr Ebele Ojukwu is an Associate Professor of Music at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has begun investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of an SUV car with blood stains and guns along Uga-Ezinifite road in Aguata local government area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the SUV became a suspect after it was driven past a detachment of Police-led Forward Operating Base on patrol in the area in a terrifying speed. Ikenga said: "Suspecting that those in the car might be kidnappers with an abducted victim, the police team went in pursuit. "Several kilometres later, the team found the vehicle in a ditch, but without any occupant. "Police found clothing with blood stains in the vehicle, as well as two pump action guns and a machete. "The vehicle, a wine-colored Mercedes GLK 350 4matic with Registration No. Enugu ENU 484 JV, was recovered and deposited for safekeeping at Area Command Headquarters in Uga." The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, ¹Aderemi Adeoye, while commending the Joint Security Team for its vigilance, has ordered a full-scale investigation to locate the owner of the vehicle and ascertain circumstances leading to the recovery of arms and offensive weapons in the car. He warned residents in the neighborhood not to harbor criminals, but to turn them over to law enforcement agents in the interest of the safety of the people.

By Madu Obi THE wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has spoken of the importance of extended breastfeeding for babies, arguing that it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. She also stated that breastfed children would perform better on intelligence tests, not likely to be obese, and would be less prone to diabetes later in life. The governor's wife, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, at the flag off of this year's World Exclusive Breastfeeding Week and launch of Zero Water at Ojoto, Idemili South local government area, observed that breastfeeding is the best way to ensure child health and survival. The programme is being executed by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and partners. According to Mrs. Soludo, breast milk remains the ideal food for infants as it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help to protect against many common childhood illnesses. The Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Chisom Uchem also said breastfeeding has many health benefits for nursing mothers and their babies. Uchem, a pharmacist, said it has been proved that well-breastfed infants have lower hospitalization rate and would tend to be in better health as they grow up. Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South local government area, Amaka Obi described the theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week celebration, "Enable breastfeeding-Making A Difference For Working Parents" as apt. She said the theme would enhance support for mothers to sustain exclusive breastfeeding, as well as guide policy makers on issues about exclusive breastfeeding.

By Madu Obi Anambra State, through two students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University HIgh School, Awka, has won gold and silver medals in the just concluded Inspector General of Police Taekwondo Championship held in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. UNIZIK High School represented the state in the competition. The winners, Moneme Benedict Ozioma and Moneme Hillary, who incidentally are brothers, won the gold medal in the junior category and silver medal respectively. Similarly, Odinaka Oranye and Chibuike Oranye won the gold medal for junior team event. The Principal of UNIZIK High School, Mrs. Isreal Atinuke, who described the feat as dream come true, attributed the victory to the unwavering enthusiasm of the school's Health and Physical Education teacher, Mrs Ogbujiagba Juliet who encouraged the students in sports and involved the school management in every sporting event to ensure there is no hitch of any kind. According to her, engaging young people in sporting activities was one sure way of shifting their focus from multiplicity of social vices of their time. While congratulating the winners, the Principal urged them to keep the fire burning by working harder to sustain the victory and challenged other students to discover their own talents and potentials and harness them. She added: " Our children have made us proud and done noble to the state. We got the only two gold medals, though one of the gold medal was in a team play. "We also got two out of four silver medals and one bronze out of the only two bronze medals. We were the major contributing factor to Anambra success in the championship tournament. "I feel so excited and fulfilled by the feat of our students. I see their success as a dream fulfilled." "It has always been my dream since I assumed office as the Principal of UHS to device a means of gearshift mechanism which will be a socioeconomic model for achieving national social security through youth participation in mental and diverse sports tournament." "My advice to the contestants is to keep the fire burning and not to live in past glory. They have won for this year; they should work harder to sustain the victory and continue to win." "To other students, I encourage them to discover their own talent/potential in sports and other areas of career or vocation. No single individual on earth is without a talent. It takes only the diligent to discover and harness it." "Besides, our children needs to be delivered from the multiplicity of social vices of their time and one of the ways of achieving this is to actively engage them in areas like sports."

By Madu Obi It is hope rising for the economy of the South East geopolitical zone as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu finally abolishes the sit at home in the area. IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful said in place to the sit at home, its leader has declared that every Monday should be observed as Economic Empowerment Day( EED). Powerful said EED is henceforth a day set aside for mass mobilization of Biafrans to devote their resources and means towards reversing the sharp and unprecedented decline in the economic, educational, and social needs of the people as a result of the prolonged sit-at-home for the past two years. According to him, the people are encouraged to use the day set aside for EED to embark on massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty- ridden population. His statement read: "Following the total cancellation of all forms of sit-at-home in the entire South-East, as clearly and unequivocally encapsulated in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s handwritten letter which was recently published by special counsel Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has as a follow up to the recorded acceptability and massive compliance with the directive, further directed to henceforth, set aside every Monday as an “Economic Empowerment Day (EED)” in the entire South-East. "During this exercise, Biafrans are encouraged to embark on massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty ridden population of our people. "Through education, employment, health services, sense of identity and community, our people and indeed, the Eastern region, can begin to thrive and grow. "There is an urgent need to reclaim our lost glory by embarking on empowering Biafrans with the resources they need to live beyond mere subsistence as our people are known globally for hard work, resilience and great achievements. "Also, the implication of this is that Biafrans are expected to devote significant time to adhere to their routine calendar schedule template strictly and uninterruptedly with a view to making up for the humongous time lost to the activities of misguided enforcers of unsanctioned Monday sit at home order."

By Madu Obi The case of the alleged defrauding of a 23 year- old Anambra orphan and mother of four, Miss Victoria Mbachu of her inherited property worth N10m at Nnobi in Idemili South local government area of the state, took a different dimension yesterday when it was observed in court that the two statements made by the complainant in the matter, Mr Bonaventure Ezekwenna, were missing. When Ezekwenna was being cross-examined by the defense council, C.N. Ndife, the third statement he made at the Force Headquarters following an allegation against him by the first defendant, Mr. Chijioke Okaa, a native doctor, was produced, while the two statements he made earlier concerning the purchase of the controversial land, could not be produced. Okaa and an indigene of Benin Republic, who is a bricklayer at Nnobi, Olufemi Salako, are facing trial for defrauding Mbachu of her property by tricking her to pat with the documents of the property after promising that they would build a house for her. The complainant told the court yesterday that he made two statements at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Lagos and at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon, before the third one following a complaint against him by Okaa. The police prosecutor, Ifeanyi Eze, however, told the court that the case file was transferred to Anambra State from the Force Headquarters, adding that it was that file that he was using to prosecute the matter. Answering questions from the defense council, Ezekwenna said he took possession of the said property in September, 2021after paying Mbachu the sum of N10m through N9.8 million bank draft and N200,000 cash. Evidence of the payment was admitted as exhibits yesterday in court. Recall that in the suit, 'Commissioner of Police vs Chijioke Peter Okaa and Olufemi Salako', the prosecution had alleged that Okaa and Salako had sometime within the months of July 2020 and October, 2021 at Nnobi did attempt to commit felony by inducing Miss Nzube Victoria Mbachu, an orphan, to change a title document of her land in favour of Okaa. Salako and Okaa were also accused of conspiring to promise Nzube that Okaa would build a house for her and relocate her and her children from her family compound and provide more money to her. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Ken Nwoye adjourned the matter to August 11, 2023 for further hearing.

By Madu Obi Suspected cultists have killed a middle-aged man near the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka and dumped the corpse inside an immovable tricycle. The presence of the corpse attracted the attention of passersby who assembled to have a look at the yet -to -be identified victim. Rival cult groups have been attacking each other in parts of Awka, leading to deaths, such that even people who returned to Nigeria from their locations abroad had lost their lives in similar circumstances. It was not clear when the latest killing took place, but eyewitness said it happened few hours ago.According to the eyewitness, three boys came down from the parked tricycle, adding that it was discovered shortly that there was a corpse inside the Keke. “We saw when some people parked the tricycle at the scene and alighted. It was when we looked inside the Keke that we saw the corpse at the back seat. We thought they would return to pick up the tricycle and the corpse, but it was there for a long time," he said. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident. He added that the corpse has been removed and deposited at a mortuary, explaining that investigation had begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Tinubu has added the former Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), as a Ministerial nominee, bringing the list to 48. The President has also withdrawn the nomination of Dr. Maryam Shetty as a Minister, replacing her with Mairiga Mahmud, from Kano State. These are contained in Tinubu's a letter read by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Friday’s plenary of the Senate. According to the President's letter, Mariga Mahmud is to replace Dr Shetty as a Ministerial nominee while Keyamo from Delta State and Tinubu/APC Presidential Campaign spokesman, is added to the list of nominees.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been elected the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. The election which took place on Thursday at the 12th NEC meeting of the APC held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja also saw the former Senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru, from Osun State elected as the National Secretary. Present at the NEC meeting included President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, chieftains of the party in the National Assembly and the first National Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande. Ganduje who addressed party leaders after his election, thanked President Bola Tinubu and promised that his tenure will ensure internal democracy. He also pledged to ensure a scientific register of party members and pay utmost attention to election management and conflict resolution. The ex-Governor promised that there will be level playing field for all party members during party primaries, just as he pledged to hit the ground running to ensure victory for the APC in all forthcoming governorship elections across the country. Also addressing the 12th NEC of the party, President Tinubu said the APC has won the elections and it is now time to deliver the promises of good governance to the Nigerian people. He insisted that the 2023 general elections was the best in Nigeria’s election history. The immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were absent from the meeting. The NEC meeting followed Wednesday’s session of the APC national caucus. Recall that two members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore resigned Mid-July, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.

By Madu Obi THE Owerri Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has cried out over the suspension of officials of the union in the Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Owerri, Imo State, by the management of the university. The Owerri zone of ASUU is made up of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Imo State University, Owerri; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. At a news briefing in Awka on Thursday, ASUU said its attention was drawn to the consistent and concerted efforts of FUTO administration to ridicule the leadership of ASUU FUTO and cause disaffection in the branch. Coordinator of ASUU Owerri zone, Professor Dennis Aribodor accused the institution's management of replacing the suspended officials with its cronies in acting capacities. "The leadership of ASUU Owerri Zone hereby informs the general public that the legitimate leadership of ASUU FUTO is the executive committee led by Comrade Chinedu Ihejirika. "Any other group that claims leadership of the union at FUTO is but a group of impostors as they are not known to the leadership of ASUU Owerri Zone and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Union", he said. Aribodor questioned the rationale behind the directive that a chairman or an executive member of a staff union in the university returning to his residence in Owerri (a trip outside the University) should seek for approval to return home. He added: "ASUU Owerri Zone also hopes that the FUTO administration understands that the staff of FUTO are accountable to the university only between the hours of 8 am – 4 pm on working days only. The blanket directive can only come from minds that are obviously warped. "There is also a letter from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nnenna N. Oti, giving all staff unions two weeks to submit the duly signed membership forms of members authorizing deduction of check off dues and any other monies from their salaries. This is in violation of the extant provisions of the Trade Union Act and the Constitution of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in an attempt to stifle the Staff Unions in FUTO". On the purported resignation of the Vice Chancellor as a member of ASUU, Aribodor said she ought to have known that labour laws do not permit an employer to belong to a union of employees in the first place. "As Vice Chancellor of FUTO, she is not a member of the ASUU. If she desires to resign her membership of the union, she should resign in her individual capacity following the extant provisions of the Constitution of the Academic Staff Union of Universities as stipulated in Article 3 Section (vii). "The forgoing is the unfortunate rationale for the onslaught on the leadership of ASUU FUTO. The Vice Chancellor should be told that the honourable thing to do in the light of the revelations is not to resign from ASUU, but to resign from her office as Vice Chancellor. "As we speak, the secretariat of ASUU FUTO is still under lock and key in spite of the appeals made to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nnenna N. Oti, by the leadership of ASUU Owerri Zone and a group of professors in FUTO. "The university is where we seek the truth, find the truth, teach the truth, defend the truth and preserve the truth no matter whose ox is gored", the ASUU zonal coordinator said.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders have confirmed the suspension of the Congress' ongoing mass protest and strike over anti-poor and anti-people policies of government. The suspension allegedly followed the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate. The resolution to suspend the protest and strike was taken at the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress. Disclosing this in a terse message Thursday morning, the National Treasurer, Hakeem Ambali, said, “Protest suspended due to the Senate intervention and meeting with President Tinubu yesternight.” The NLC mass protest which commenced across the country on Wednesday, prompted an emergency meeting between the President and the labour leaders.

By Madu Obi Members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), have asked President Bola Tinubu not to forget them in the ongoing appointments, saying they are even prepared to work as sweepers in Aso Rock, the seat of federal government. The Southeast zonal leader of MACBAN, Allhaji Gidado Siddikki said the call became necessary because cattle breeders across the country prayed and voted for the president during the February 25 presidential election. Siddikki said: "We are demanding for appointments from Tinubu's government. Even if it is as office sweepers, we are okay with it. All we want is for us to be part of the government at the centre. "During the election, to my knowledge, my people voted for President Tinubu because his predecessor, President Mohammadu Buhari, told my people to vote for him and they all did so. "We prayed, supported, endorsed and did everything politically possible to ensure his victory. So he should not abandoned us. "In the appointments the President has made so far, no Miyetti Allah member is among, including the recent Senate screen Ministerial nominees. "In addition to the N8,000 proposed palliative and other benefits of the government, he should appoint us too, even as sweepers at the Presidential Villa." While commending the South East governors for their continued support for the association in the region, Siddikki appealed to governments at all level to also fund the livestock sector, arguing that it might go into extinction if not properly funded.