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By Madu Obi THE giant cement manufacturers, the BUA Group, has begun the construction of a students center estimated to cost N1 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State as part of its social responsibility. UNIZIK is the South East beneficiary of the ASR Africa project, which is also being executed in selected universities in the other five geopolitical zones of the country. Other universities benefiting from the project include University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan and University of Benin. At the foundation laying ceremony of the project at the Awka campus of the university on Tuesday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Uboh Udoh commended UNIZIK for passing the rigorous screening process. He said: "We had a very tedious screening process that included consideration of the university's ranking and innovations in the university. After that, we did physical inspection of the project site and interacted with the staff and students before the choice was made." "We appointed a consultant who supervises the project and the university also appointed its consultant. Our consultant visits the project site and does the necessary checks." "We also created a system where we can score the projects in terms of their impact and accessibility, usage and the ripple effect it will have on the host communities." According to him, what the group is doing through ASR Africa is to contribute its quota in the area of social development. He explained that in addition to the N1billion grant to the six universities, the group also gives smaller grants starting from N250 million, adding that about 30 universities have benefited from the scheme. Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Charles Esimone commended ASR Africa for selecting the institution as one of the beneficiaries, stating that he was aware that there was tedious and competitive process in selecting the beneficiaries. Describing it as an iconic project, the Vice Chancellor said the multipurpose students center would have many facilities, including an amphitheater, offices, sports facilities, internet facilities, among others. "It is an architectural masterpiece that will improve the skyline of UNIZIK and we are lucky that ASR Africa is executing one of the best structures in this university" Esimone said

Iheanyi Chukwudi Experts in neurosurgery have called on both Federal and State governments to make the treatment of Hydrocephalus compulsory and free for all Nigerian children. The experts who participated in the 1st Enugu Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy + Choroid Plexus Coagulation (ETV/CPC) collaboration between the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and NeuroKids, where no fewer than 17 children with Hydrocephalus had successful endoscopic neurosurgeries, noted that the cost of treatment of the said health challenge was beyond the reach of the poor masses. The beneficiaries of the endoscopic neurosurgery who are between the ages of four months and eight years are said to be recuperating effectively after the surgery. UNTH and the experts in neurosurgery further said that governments’ involvement in the treatment of Hydrocephalus was the only way the health condition would be tackled in Nigeria. The request to the governments came just as the UNTH broke another new ground through collaboration with United States of America (USA)-based NeuroKids Foundation on new method of treating children with Hydrocephalus. Children with Hydrocephalus have excessive brain fluids that make them experience abnormal growth in parts of their body. It could also be described as a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (cavities) within the brain. Experts said excess fluid could cause ventricles to widen and put harmful pressure on brain tissues in children. In the process, enlarges their brain and head. UNTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Obinna Onodugo, who expressed happiness over the partnership and the adaptation of the Endoscopic surgery (Dr. Warf Procedure) by the Neurosurgery Department of the hospital, said it had boosted the efforts of the institution in breaking new grounds. Onodugo commended the government for their efforts through the institution and urged it to see the need to support the hospital by subsidizing the cost of the surgery for the children or take it over entire for the sake of poor masses. A Consultant Neurosurgeon and Project Director of NeuroKids-UNTH Collaboration, Prof. Enoch Uche while requesting government to make the treatment of Hydrocephalus free, noted that NeuroKids donated  Neuroendoscopes  and many other equipment worth over $90,000 to make the project succeed. According to him, “UNTH working with NeuroKids is making this surgery and this treatment available in UNTH and surgeries are subsidized by the management of UNTH while NeuroKids has provided both the facilities. What you have here, these endoscope systems worth tens of millions of naira and NeuroKids has provided it free of charge, not only that, NeuroKids has mobilized a team to come and support us as we do this surgery. That team is led by Dr. Justin Onen, a Neurosurgeon who has a lot of experience in doing these surgeries at Mulago Hospital, Uganda, there is also Prof. Femi Bankole from Lagos who is also part of the team. “We want to implore the government to come to the aid of patients with Hydrocephalus. Because most of them are born by poor families, they are not usually brought for treatment, that’s why you are seeing a five-year-old being brought for treatment for the first time. “If government had made the treatment of Hydrocephalus compulsory and free for all Nigerian children, that will be acceptable and a very positive way of saying that we want our children to have the best form of health. “We want the government to partner with UNTH to provide other facilities that are required to make pediatric neurosurgery come to the standard that is acceptable in most of the developed world so that our children would not have to be taken out of Nigeria for treatment and so that the poor masses with this

By Madu Obi The small businesses support programme for the people of Anambra State initiated by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka has taken off at Obosi, Idemili North local government area of the state. It was in fulfilment of Chidoka's promise during the burial of his mother, Deaconess Victoria Chidoka, in May 2023 that he would set up a business support fund in her memory to assist women petty traders. No fewer than 100 petty traders have already received grants under the programme to enable them expand their businesses. The wife of the former minister, Mrs. Chidinma Chidoka went round the markets to make the presentation to the beneficiaries. Recall also that Chidoka had before his mother's burial, organized a free cervical cancer screening and medical care tagged Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area and Obosi in Idemili North local government area in which over 1000 patients received treatment for various illnesses, including malaria and diabetes. Prescription glasses were also given to over 300 patients. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke thanked the former Minister and former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for his uncommon philanthropic gesture. A beneficiary, Mrs Alice Mbara while thanking Chidoka for the intervention, said it would help her to expand her watermelon business.

By Madu Obi After months of detention at the Correctional Center over alleged illegal possession of firearm, the chairman of the foremost aluminum roofing sheets company in Onitsha, Best Aluminium, Chief Pius Nweke on Monday regained his freedom. A Federal High Court sitting in Awka and presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had on 14th June 2023 sentenced Chief Nweke to 10 years imprisonment with an option of N30m fine for the offence of unlawful possession of a firearm and another three months imprisonment without option of fine for the offence of unlawful possession of ammunition. Nweke, whose ordeal was traceable to the protracted dispute between his community, Abba in Njikoka local government area and Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, was released after meeting the bail conditions. In an emotion-laden statement after his release, Nweke urged his people of Abba not to lose hope. He said: "I have come to realize that in this world, God created different seasons for a reason. He allows us to pass through some trial situations even in our innocence for a reason. But in all things, God never in any circumstance fails to prove himself as the Lord of the universe." "He has never failed to protect the innocent and fight on the side of those who seek genuine justice and just course." Going down memory lane, Nweke added: "For some years now, I have been made to pass through the valley and shadows of tribulations, but God has remained my strength and anchor. " He has shown me that those who put all their trust in him can never be put to shame. "At my worst moments, he has been a source of hope and victory. Even when they gathered against me and the course of justice that I have stood for, the protective grace and mercy of God has remained with me." "As I reflect on the multiple challenging times I was made to undergo for standing as a defender to the just course of my beloved community, Abba, I wish to specially thank good spirited Anambarians who highly frown upon oppression and all those who came forward during my court trial and my period of incarceration to testify in my favour." "I recognize distinguished personalities such as His Royal Highness, Igwe L. N. Ezeh, Eze Abba, other traditional rulers in Anambra state and some illustrious sons and daughters of Abba Community, as well as Most Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Diocese; Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger; Venerable Dr. Emmanuel Ezeugo, and other kind hearted clergymen and Knights of Saint Christopher, Diocese on the Niger, for all their prayers." He assured that despite his travails, he would never stop seeking​ the course of justice and the propagation of the genuine interest of his community, adding that he will continue to serve and worship God Almighty in whom​ he holds in great trust to reveal every atrocious antics and actions of those against him and his community, Abba. "I wish to encourage all sons and daughters of Abba community never to lose hope in their fervent prayers. I am very confident that at the end of this period of trial, truth will prevail over every form of injustice that has been meted against Abba community for many years now. "God will definitely prove himself as the God of justice, and all who stood for justice will smile and celebrate when the day of reckoning comes", he said.

By Madu Obi A popular native doctor based in Oba, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was kidnapped on Sunday night in one of his hotels in the town. The native doctor, known as Akwa Okuko tiwara aki ( an egg that breaks palm nut), was believed to possess power of disappearance, but could not disappear when the kidnappers came for him. His two personal aides were said to have been killed in the vicinity of the hotel before the kidnappers effortlessly took him away. Regarded as one of the strongest native doctors in Anambra State, it was a surprise that he was kidnapped with so much ease in his hotel, Triple P Hotel, which is one of the three hotels he built in Oba. The Anambra State police command has confirmed his kidnap as the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga said the incident happened around 11:30pm last night. The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has already ordered operatives go after his abductors and ensure his release. A source said: “Akwa Okuko Tiwara aki has been Kidnapped. Two of his security men were shot dead." In the he meantime, many people have been trouping to his house in Oba to find out if truly he was kidnapped in view of the enormous powers he was believed to possess. The kidnappers have also not made any contact with his family in terms of ransom to be paid.

By Madu Obi THE new Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has assured that the state police command would continue to provide security for people who want to go about their businesses without hindrance. He stressed that the police have no business with people who prefer to sit at home when they are supposed to be working or doing their businesses. His statement came on the heels of the threat by the Finland - based Simon Ekpa that there would be a lockdown of the South East for two weeks beginning from July 31, 2023. Addressing reporters at the state police headquarters, Adeoye described as unfortunate, a situation whereby people now work for four days in a week, but get salary for five days. He said: "From the point of law enforcement, sit at home is an illegal affair. Those making the declaration for the sit at home belong to an organization which competent courts have described as illegal. "Our duty as security agencies is to provide adequate security for the people to the best of our ability. But it is the people who have the prerogative to decide whether to sit at home or not." " We cannot enter anybody's house to drag him out because if we do that, we will be infringing on the person's fundamental human rights since he has freedom of choice." " In spite of the action of security operatives, some people support the sit at home, which is rooted in the agitation for a separatist enclave called Biafra. "Those who work for four days see Mondays as extra holiday. As long as we are able to protect those doing their businesses, we have no business with those who prefer to sit at home." Adeoye vowed that under his watch, Anambra would be a hot place for criminals, adding that the command would collaborate with other states in the South East to secure the zone. He said further: "We are not in the habit of telling criminals to relocate from the state. We will not create problems for neighbouring states by asking criminals in Anambra to relocate to other states because we have all it takes to deal with them here in Anambra State and we will deal with them squarely, unless they turn a new leaf." "We have no delight in seeing people lose their lives, but if that is what it takes to protect the people of Anambra State, we will not stop to achieve the mandate given to us by the Inspector General of Police". He commended the Anambra State government for creating a social avenue to empower the youths and other persons in the state to reduce crimes.

The Enugu state government has directed business owners and super markets operating in Enugu to open shops and businesses every Monday of the week. In a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and addressed to each business operator, the government observed that some shop owners in Enugu metropolis have refused to open for business every Monday of the week. The release further observed that the refusal to open shop on Monday is against the backdrop of the robust security arrangements made by the state government and the fact that the observance of the sit-at-home on every Monday of the week has been cancelled. The release directed that any shop that is not open for business with effect from Monday, the 24th day of July, 2023 will be sealed and re-allocated to some other persons who are willing to do business in Enugu. The release also warned that licences of corporate bodies will be revoked for failure to act on the directive. The said release is a final warning to all shop owners and corporate bodies who are yet to comply with the directive to open shops on every Monday of the week. From our roving reporter.

By Madu Obi Awka-THE president of The ex Biafra war affected police officers have pleaded with government to harmonize their pension in the interest of equity and fairness. President of the association, Mr. Matthew Udeh lamented that many police officers in the association earn as low as N6000 as monthly pension because they were on the Biafra side during the civil war. Speaking in an interview in Awka, Udeh recalled that all police officers who were in Biafra were dismissed after the civil war in 1970, adding that it took 30 years of petition before former President Olusegun Obasanjo granted them presidential amnesty in 2000 and converted their dismissal to retirement. He urged the Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme to do everything within her power to ensure the harmonization of the pension of war affected police officers with the prevailing pension arrangement in the country. He said: "Our case is peculiar because at the end of the civil war in 1970, we were dismissed from the police because we served in Biafra. " We had to petition the injustice and thirty years later, our dismissal was converted to retirement through the presidential amnesty granted by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. " The retirement took effect from May, 2000 and naturally our pension was supposed to be based on the salary we were earning at the time of retirement. In other words, we expected that our pension would be based on the prevailing pension in 2000, but unfortunately as a punitive measure, our pension was based on what we were earning when we were dismissed 30 years earlier, which was why many of us were earning as low as N6000 pension per month for constables." According to Udeh, what members of his association receive as pension is too small to assist them as they have become old and urged to the Executive Secretary of PTAD to prevail on the present administration to harmonize the pension of the war affected police officers with others. .

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Isi-Uzo Divisional Police station in Ikem, Enugu state, has been attacked by gunmen who allegedly made away with arms and ammunition in the Police armoury. The attack which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, according to sources from the area witnessed the storming of the unfenced police station at about 2am on Tuesday. The gunmen the source said operated in a Toyota Sienna bus, shouting “Release Nnamdi Kanu,” “No Nnamdi Kanu, no peace.” The source further said, “They came through Eha-Amufu and left through the same axis but it’s not possible they got to Eha-Amufu township or crossed to Nkalagu, otherwise they would have been encountered by the soldiers in that area. It’s possible they went through Aguamede to Benue state." A policeman on night duty at the police station was said to have miraculously escaped death after being shot by the gunmen. The said divisional police station is said to have in the past been under severe attacks by armed robbers who terrorised banks at Ikem and Eha-Amufu, resulting in the closure of banks in the area for over 10 years now. It is also reported that the porous divisional police station is the only one in the whole of Isi-Uzo LGA with the closest at Obollo-Afor, a 30 kilometres distance. The Enugu State Police Command is yet to speak on the attack or confirm it, more than 17 hours after the attack allegedly took place.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The absence of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witness on Tuesday prevented the Commission from opening it's defence in the election petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga and his party. INEC was billed to open it's defence on Tuesday after Edeoga had closed his case against Gov. Peter Mbah and INEC on Sunday, July 16, after calling a total of 30 witnesses that testified before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Enugu and tendering several documentary evidences. Edeogain his petition is praying the tribunal to disqualify Mbah over an alleged NYSC certificate forgery and the manipulation of the election that produced him as governor. But on Tuesday at the resumed hearing of 5he petition where INEC was supposed to open its defense of the election, the Commission's counsel, Mr. H. Okoli told the court that the witness he had scheduled to testify could not make it to court. He said, "I got information as I was coming into the court that the witness missed his flight and cannot be in court." Reminding the court that the first respondent have two days to defend the result of the March 18 governorship election, Okoli said,"We are aware that they have only two days and humbly ask the court to grant them tomorrow (Wednesday) to come." Neither Edeoga and LP lead counsel, Mr A. Awomolo (SAN) nor Mbah's and PDP's counsel, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuoma and Mr. Anthony Ani (SAN) opposed Okoli's application. The Tribunal Chairman, Justice M. K Akano appealed to the second respondent's counsel to be ready to open his case at close of the INEC's case and adjourned the case till July 19 for continued hearing.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Tuesday lost again his bid to be declared the governor of the state, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu dismissed his appeal. Nnaji had gone to the Court of Appeal to seek redress after his petition against Gov. Peter Mbah and two other candidates was thrown out by the Justice K.M Akano-led Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on June 20, but the appellate court upheld the decision of the lower court and dismissed his appeal for lack off merit. The decision of the three-man panel of the appellate court was delivered by Justice J.O.K Oyewole. The APC candidate had contended in his petition that Mbah was not constitutionally qualified to vie for the office of the governor at the time of the election, having allegedly presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nnaji who polled a total of 14,575 against Mbah’s 160,895 votes, to place a distant fourth in the election, equally averred that Governor Mbah was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election. Joined as respondents were the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., whom, according to the appellant, were not qualifed to contest the election, having allegedly ran foul of the asset declaration law. He had, therefore, asked the Tribunal to disqualify Mbah, Edeoga, and Nweke and either declare him the winner or order INEC to conduct a runoff election between him and other remaining candidates. But, delivering the judgment of Tribunal on the petition marked EPT/EN/GOV/05/23, the Chairman, Justice Akano, said the lawsuit was not filed in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and could not be heard pursuant to paragraph 18(3) (4) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2022. Consequently, Nnaji approached the Court of Appeal, praying it to send the dismissed petition back to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit. But at the resumed hearing of the appeal marked CA/E/E/EP/GOV/EN/01/2023 on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit accordingly. The appellate court equally awarded the sum of N250,000 each against Chief Uche Nnaji and the APC.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu traders and residents who came out for their normal businesses on Monday have said that they were tired of sitting at home, describing the Monday sit-at-home as a plague killing their businesses and household economies. Complaining to Governor Peter Mbah at their various markets and residential areas within the state capital where he visited as he monitored compliance on the ban on sit-at-home, thanked him for the courage to end the demonic order of non-state actors. Their lamentation came as Gov. Mbah announced government decision to seal off and revoke shop title of shops not opened when he return next Monday on monitoring. It was however, a relatively busy day in some of the areas visited by the Governor as most of the major business concerns were on duty. The Governor who visited Spar Mall, Roban Stores at Bisalla Road, Market Square, Shoprite, Zenith Bank at Ogui Road, Celebrities, Ogbete Market, Garki Awkunanaw Market, Mayor Market, Abakpa Market, and the State Secretariat, commended the level of compliance in most of the places. He however, warned that traders, who continue to sit at home from Monday, July 24, would lose their shops to serious-minded businessmen. Assuring them that adequate security had been provided, Mbah noted that there had not been any incident of attack since the ban on sit-at-home in June. Interacting with business owners, shoppers, traders as well as civil servants at the State Secretariat, the Governor said “It should never be heard that we were cowed because of the threat of violence by these criminals”, noting that “the poverty that will befall us for sitting at home will kill us even faster”. “We are losing over N10bn every Monday that we sit at home. Enough is enough. This foolishness must end and it must end now. We cannot be marginalising ourselves and still complain of marginalisation." “So, we must say no to sit-at-home because what it means is that we are destroying our employment, our economy, and our GDP. We must erase it from our memories. We should see it as our shameful past, which we do not want to remember. We must put it behind us and forge ahead, ensuring that we work every working day of the week.” Addressing traders at Ogbete, Garki, and other markets, he said, “But you know, there are also consequences for not heeding our orders. Going forward, I want to put you on notice. I will go around the state again on Monday next week. We are going to come with the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority to put a seal on any shop that is found locked on Monday because of the illegal sit-at-home. We will take it that you are not ready to do business. “We are going to revoke your license to operate. We will revoke your shop title and reallocate it to someone else, who is ready to do business. This is something we must enforce with effect from Monday next week.” In their responses to the Governor, the market leaders and business owners assured him that they were now ready for full compliance, saying they were already sick and tired of the Monday-sit-at home. At Ogbete, the President of Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association, Stephen Aniagu, assured the governor that they had already agreed to commence full business, saying all shops would be open from next Monday, same assurance was also given by the leader at Abakpa market, Bernard Anike. On his side, a development economist, Richard Emeka Ezeh, while lamenting on the high cost of sit-at-home commended Mbah’s determined efforts to bring it to an end. He said“I’m surprised to see the governor here. I like it that he is going round to sensitise the people on why they should come out. “Employers of labour were losing so much money to sit-at-home. The economy cannot grow when we are losing N10 billion every Monday. As a development economist, I know that the private sector drives every economy, but the private sector cannot thrive in a place where people sit at home.” Likewise on Monday, public and private schools monitored in Enugu were open, most of them for the first time on a Monday since the beginning of sit-at-home.