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- Proposed Naval Base: Enugu community excited, ready with land, other supports
By Iheanyi Chukwudi Excited Ogurugu community in Uzo Uwani Local Government of Enugu State has promised to donate their land and give other necessary support for the proposed Naval Base and its operations in their area. The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Emmanuel Egwuaba, and stakeholders of the area made the promise on Sunday when a joint committee set up by both the federal and the state governments paid a working visit to the Ogurugu. Igwe Egwuaba who expressed his people’s happiness over the government’s intervention in the community, stressed if and when sited, the naval base would boost the economy of the area through the attraction of investors and other social amenities such as hospital, school and market. The committee led by Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi and the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, for the Federal and Enugu State governments respectively, was given a rousing welcomed by the jubilant members of the community. The royal father disclosed that the community had earlier resolved to cooperate and support the government by ceding their land and ensure successful execution of the project. He said, “All of us in Ogurugu Community have resolved to support this project, and we want to assure the government that whatever is required from us, we will make it available. We have equally told them that we have large hectares of land and we are ready to give out our land for this project. “This project will have many positive impacts on the lives of our people and the general economy of this place. You know we are dominantly into agriculture and we produce food staples such as rice, cassava, maize, among other agricultural produce. So, this proposed base by the Nigerian Navy will open up our area and expand the economy. We can easily move our farm produce to the market through the waterways. “Ogurugu community is made up of 9 villages and we all share the same communal land. We have agreed that whatever the government is planning here in Ogurugu we’re ready to support it. We have pledged to give our land for the project because it’s all about the development of our community. Corroborating him, a former chairman of the local government and stakeholder from the community, Chief James Ademu, disclosed that they had held several meetings among themselves in anticipation of the committee and arrived at a conclusion that they were ready to donate any part of the community the Nigerian Navy chooses for the project, “This project is going to help our people, empower us economically, and we will not take it for granted.” Speaking earlier, Rear Admiral Onyemaobi said the committee had visited the Igwe’s palace to pay homage and also seek the support and cooperation of the people in making sure the naval base operations were actualized. He appealed to the people to work in synergy with the military personnel who would be visiting the area from time to time, by assisting them with required support and information. Addressing newsmen shortly after conducting a survey on the river, the Naval Chief stated that "the water has all the requirements for the establishment of the naval base and other naval facilities, stressing that it’s “navigable, wide and strategic.” Work he assured would soon commence on the project which according to him would assist in keeping the area safe for the citizens. On his part, the Deputy Governor assured that the security and economic benefits of the naval base would serve the country as a whole, adding that Ogurugu was strategic to the country’s economic growth during colonial era. He revealed that their visit was necessitated by the desire of the Nigerian Navy to commence the project immediately, adding that the success of the project would depend on how Ogurugu, Iga, Asagba, and the entire Uzo Uwani Council area give their support to the Navy. Ossai, who said the naval establishment would include designated area for building offices, training ground and residence, maintained that the state government under Governor Peter Mbah would soon commence the process of acquiring land for the project. “This project is going to secure your inland waterway. It’s going to trigger economic benefits for Ogurugu. It’s going to provide the much desperately needed security so that we can go back to our farms, our commercial agriculture and begin to witness the same export Ogurugu had done in the 1930s and 1940s. What we expect is the maximum cooperation of everybody in the community and the local government to ensure speedy and immediate completion of the project,” he state.
- Tinubu presides over inaugural FEC meeting, charges members on reviving the economy
By Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday presided over the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of his administration at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja. The President at the meeting gave marching orders to ministers to roll out actions aimed at reviving the economy and making life more bearable for the people. The new cabinet members were sworn-in on Monday last week after their confirmation by the Senate in line with its constitutional obligation. The cabinet is made of 45 ministers who scaled through the screening while three other nominees were not confirmed due to security reasons. Also in attendance are Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Monday's first FEC meeting of the administration was broadcasted live via the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) just as the Council meeting will henceforth hold on Mondays as against the previous schedule of Wednesdays. Five ministers, including those of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate; Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and that of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite; as well as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, briefed the press on the outcome of the meeting. Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, told newsmen that he presented “Roadmap for the Economy,” and noted that the Council agreed that the nation's economy is not where it ought to be. The Minister also said that FEC examined eight priority areas and identified targets to deliver in the next three years, adding that the President had charged the ministers to roll out policy and programme to turn the economy around. Recall that President Tinubu had at the swearing in of the Ministers on August 21, emphasised that their highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that people can once again believe that the right hands in government can perform. He also urged the Ministers to serve with integrity, dignity, and deliver, stressing that he will hold them to the high standards of the expectations of Nigerians. “In line with the constitutional obligations the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of federal government in this administration of renewed hope. “The men and women who have been sworn-in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in public and private sector. “They reflected the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future,” the President had stated.
- Soludo cancels New Yam festival in Ngige's community over chieftaincy crisis
By Madu Obi THE protracted chieftaincy dispute in Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State, the home town of the immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has taken a new twist, with Governor Chukwuma Soludo canceling this year's New Yam festival in the community in obedience to a High Court judgement. The court had dethroned Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo and following the development, the President General of the community, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa, petitioned the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to stop the planned celebration by Okonkwo. Igbonwa had argued that allowing the dethroned Monarch to celebrate the New Yam festival might result to the breakdown of law and order in the area. He accompanied the petition with the judgment of the High Court of Anambra State, Ogidi Judicial Division, which was delivered in February, 2022, which restrained Mac-Anthony Okonkwo from parading himself as the Igwe of Alor, or performing any function in the name of the community. Responding to the petition, the state Ministry of Justice, in a letter signed by T. C Ikenna, Esq on behalf of the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, said the court order must be obeyed to avoid breakdown of law and order in Anambra State. The document dated August 22,2023 read in part: "I am directed by the honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, to inform you that after considering content of your petition and stated judgement in suit HiD/354/2019, between Mr Frank Nwabufo Okoye and ORS Vs Incorporated trustees of Alor People's Assembly and ANORs; "Having been satisfied that the judgment and orders delivered in the above-mentioned suit in paragraph 1.1. are the extant and subsisting orders of the court between the parties and on the same subject matter, until the contrary is established, Mr.Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo should not conduct or superintend over the New Yam festival scheduled on Saturday, in the purported capacity of traditional ruler of Alor Town. "It is unlawful and against the public peace of the town and therefore, he is restrained from doing so to avoid total breakdown of law and order in the community. "It is the opinion of the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice that since the motion for stay of execution had been dismissed, he should not parade himself as the Igwe of Alor, or perform any function in the name of Igwe of Alor until the High Court Judgment is over ruled by the appellant court. "In the interim, he is not the the Igwe of Alor." The leadership crisis in the community had culminated in the formation of two parallel town unions and two traditional rulers. However, when the deposed monarch sued a section of the community claiming that he was duly selected as the traditional ruler, the other group led by Igbonwa counter sued, arguing that Okonkwo was never elected or selected according to the constitution of the community. The group insisted that Alor customs, tradition and the constitution, were not followed and that the certificate of recognition issued to Okonkwo by the state government was illegal and unconstitutional. Following the Court judgement of February 22, 2022, restraining Okonkwo from parading himself as the traditional ruler, the community led by Igbonwa installed Dr Ebelechukwu Chukwumesili, as Ezedioramma 111 of Alor on November 3rd, 2022. However, the former monarch, Mac-Anthony, appealed the judgment, which is still pending. But because the High Court judgement had not been vacated, the state government stopped this year's celebration of New Yam festival by Okonkwo. Igbonwa has already commended Governor Soludo for the action, adding that the mounting tension in the community has reduced considerably.
- Flood kills two children in Anambra
By Madu Obi Awka- TWO children were drowned in the flood as a result of heavy rain in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The incident happened at the weekend, killed two children in different at Nkwele, Awka South local government of the state. It was gathered that one of the deceased was swept away by the flood while disposing refuse on the flood channel, while the other was flushed by the flood while trying to rescue his slippers which was carried away by the flood. According to a neighbour in the area, ,the mother had sent the girl on an errand to go and dispose their waste when she was caught up by the flood and fell inside the drainage. “She was pouring the waste inside the drainage when her leg suddenly slipped and she fell and was carried away by the heavy flood", he said.
- NGOs present water sector award to Gov. Mbah
By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has been presented with “A Pillar of Water Sector Award” by WaterAid Nigeria and South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), for his visionary focus on water provision. WaterAid Nigeria, Country Director, Evelyn Mere, presented the award on Saturday on behalf of the NGOs during the inauguration of the 20,000-litre motorized borehole in Ukwuinyi community of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the State . The new generator-powered water facility is part of intervention under the second-phase of the Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Nigeria Project, which is funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Charity (LDSC). The project was carried out through LDSC implementing partners, which included SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria and Small-Town Wash Unit of Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources. Mere, who was represented by the Team Lead of WaterAid Nigeria, Mr Solomon Akpanufot, said that the award was meant to strengthen Gov. Mbah on his administration resolve to provide water for the residents of the state within a short while in office. She said: “We have seen the aggressiveness and avowed commitment as well as clear cut focus of Gov. Mbah to ensure that he redeems his campaign promise of providing water for Enugu people within 180 days in office. “It is imperative we support the governor and his administration by all means of encouragement as well as in practical terms by building and handling over this daily 20,000-litre motorized borehole in Ukwuinyi community meant to serve over 2,000 residents. “It is part of WaterAid and its partners stride to improve the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) level of the people of the state especially in Igbo-Eze North council, which is our pilot LGA for WASH excellence and end to open defecation initiative in the state.” Mere said that it was exactly a year ago that stakeholders in WASH sector gathered at Umuogiri-Amufe in Igbo-Eze North council area to witness the commissioning of the second phase of WaterAid’s water kiosk model in Enugu State. "We are encouraging the Igbo-Eze North council area to replicate what have been done by building water facilities to march the ones already provided as it will spur the donor-agencies and its partners to do more for the council area. “The Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Nigeria Project, which commenced in May 2021, in Bauchi and Enugu States, will begin another phase till September 2024. “Our target is to reach at least 40,000 people with clean water; 3,000 people with safely managed sanitation, and 16,000 people with hygiene promotion in both states,” she added. The Executive Director of SSDO, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, his goodwill message, commended LDSC for funding the project, adding that it would have great impact on the lives of the residents of the community. He said, “This facility will help end open defecation and improving WASH initiatives in Ukwuinyi community as the borehole is meant to reticulated within two locations in the community." On her part, the General Manager of Small-Town Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mrs Chinonye Nnabuchi, urged the community to make judicious use of the facility to promote WASH initiative. She also urged the community to keep their water covered always and practice all they had learnt from WASH initiative sensitization to ensure optimal health of all. Receiving the award and inaugurating the facility, Gov. Mbah said that the government was indeed grateful for the facility as well as how donor agencies and their partners are sensitising the people on best hygiene practices. Mbah, who was represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Felix Nnamani, said: “the state government is committed to nurture and strengthen partnership that yields laudable result for our people, just like this one. “This administration remains committed in pursuing its vision of providing clean and potable water to every household in the state and what we are doing today points to that direction.” The Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze LGA, Chief Ejike Itodo, in his welcome address lauded the LDSC, SSDO and WaterAid for the project, adding that the council was working in tandem with the state government in provision of water and sanitation facilities. Itodo said that the Council area had concluded plans to provide two mega boreholes in two communities in the council even as it is going ahead to pass the council’s By Law Against Open Defecation in three weeks. He said, “The Council have succeeded in building toilets in each primary and secondary school as well as markets; and provided water in some communities. We, as a council, have totally keyed into the WASH initiative and ending open defecation in the council area. “We are grateful to the donor agencies and their partners for choosing the council as their pilot area to end open defecation and we are prepared to support the donor agencies achieve their people-oriented laudable programmes."
- Army drill troops on global best practices of roadblock, checkpoints
By Iheanyi Chukwudi The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has drilled troops in the Division on the global best practices of roadblock and checkpoints. At a three-day internal security lecture organised by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in Enugu, the troops were tasked on professional conduct during internal security duties within the Division’s Areas of Responsibility (AOR). Speaking on the three-day lecture, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said the sensitisation lecture was held from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24 at Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu to re-orient and educate troops on the global best practices of roadblock and checkpoints. The lecture Unuakhalu said was in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Command : “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment." Unuakhalu said in a statement that, “Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has organised a sensitisation lectures for troops deployed at various roadblocks and checkpoints within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). “The military has been involved in manning checkpoint across the country due to insecurity which has threatened the sovereignty of the country. “Despite the numerous advantage of military checkpoint, there has been series of complaints from the civil populace on the unprofessional conducts of troops at military checkpoints which negates the aim of setting up the checkpoint. “Roadblocks and checkpoints are mainly security measures implemented by the authorities to monitor and control the movement of vehicle and people in a particular area. “They serve various purposes including law enforcement, security and traffic management." According to Division’s spokesman, topics ranging from types of road blocks, principles of road blocks and importance of professional act of soldiers at military checkpoint were taught and questions asked on them during the lecture series. Also, lectures and discussions were held on “Implication of Extortion” and “Punishment to be Awarded to Erring Personnel." Unuakhalu further said, “The general public is therefore advised to desist from giving gratification to soldiers at checkpoints and report cases of misconduct by troops to the appropriate authorities. “The Division will continue to carry out it assigned and constitutional role in line with global best practices." Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
- Enugu at 32: My administration will realise dreams of founding fathers - Mbah
By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has assured of his administration's determination to realise the goals and dreams of the state’s founding fathers. Mbah who gave the assurance in a statement at the weekend to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Enugu State, said the administration would do so through innovation and disruptive governance. Stating that the target of his government was to go beyond the sustenance of the dreams to actualising them through innovation and disruptive governance philosophy, the Governor extolled the founding fathers of Enugu state that fought for the creation of the state in 1991. In the statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, Mbah maintained that their sacrifices had never been in vain, as successive administrations have continued to sustain their legacies and work towards the realisation of those dreams. Wishing the people of Enugu State a happy 32nd anniversary, the Governor said, “I salute the determination and sacrifices of our founding fathers and all those that contributed in one way or the other in the tortuous journey of ensuring that the quest for a state of our own came to fruition. We will never take their sacrifices for granted. “Our agenda is to immortalise them by fashioning out a state that they would be proud of and a state that would stand as a reference point in socioeconomic transformation in the country. “Over the past 32 years, we have witnessed some commendable transformations meant at sustaining the dreams of our founding fathers. However, what our administration is doing is that, we are no longer comfortable with the incremental model because the world is fast evolving through technologies and new ways of doing things. “We started this by laying a new foundation that would disrupt the sub-optimisation in governance. We have started doing things differently because we want a state where posterity will be kind to us. We want a state where our children will judge us fairly. We want a state where poverty will be a thing of the past. “We understand that these are not going to be easy, but with your support, and our commitment to our governance philosophy, I can say we will get there faster than ever imagined. "We are determined to take our economy from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion, and we are laying the necessary foundations for this exponential economic revolution. "We have made consequential statements on security and backed them with action to guarantee investment inflow. And we will not rest on our oars until the last atom of threat to our people’s peace and security is escorted out of the state."
- Speaker promises quality legislature as Anambra marks 32 years of creation
By Madu Obi AS Anambra State marks 32 years of creation, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, .Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has promised that the state legislature would continue to enact laws and resolutions aimed at total development of the state and improvement of the living standard of the citizenry. In his goodwill message to mark the occasion, Udeze said though the state had recorded successes at different times in the past, the present administration of Professor Chukwuma Soludo has within one year and five months in office, recorded more meaningful achievements in all sectors of the state economy. The Speaker, who also extolled the efforts of the founding fathers of the state towards the state's creation, enjoined politicians to see the peace and progress of the state as a collective responsibility. He expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship existing among the three arms of the government in the state,and called on the citizenry to join hands with the government in ensuring good governance in the state. He called on affluent citizens to key into Governor Soludo's development Initiatives by committing part of their wealth to the development of their various communities, as well as security of lives and property of the people. The Speaker enjoined Anambra people to uphold virtues that would enable the state to continue to grow from strength to strength.
- Palliatives: You're doing well for workers, labour unions tell Soludo
By Madu Obi The organized labour in Anambra State has commended the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo for taking measures to cushion the hardship caused by the removal of petroleum subsidy. The unions namely, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), in a joint statement, said the palliatives are not only favourable to the workers alone, but to other segments of the society. The letter to the governor, which was signed by the chairmen and secretaries of the labour unions said: “On behalf Anambra State workforce and pensioners, we use this medium to express our profound appreciation to Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo on the N12,000.00 per month cash award given to workers both active and retired. "The holistic nature of your palliative which cuts across all Anambranians: the employed, unemployed, less privileged, the market people, the sick and pregnant women, school children and students, the artisans and transporters, are worthy of commendation.” "The organized labour also appreciates the governor for the recent absorption of over 70 workers of the recently closed down state- owned National Light Newspaper into various departments. “Your open disposition to the organized labour and your passion to meeting up the numerous challenges of workers in the state is well appreciated. "We pledge to partner with your administration to move Anambra State on the fast lane of development in all facets.”
- Anambra CP rewards policewoman who rejected bribe with N250,000
By Madu Obi THE Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has awarded cash of N250,000 to a female Police Inspector serving in Onitsha Main Market Division for rejecting bribe from suspected thieves. The Policewoman, Inspector Charity Oyor who was on traffic duty in the market, saw a shuttle bus carrying six heavy bundles of stripped armoured cables suspected to have been stolen. She stopped the driver and inquired about the consignment from the purported owner, who rather than explain how he came to be in possession of the cables, offered her bribe which she rejected. The Police Inspector immediately put a call across to her Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Superintendent Joy Ikpeama who led Police personnel to the scene and arrested the suspect. The cable was subsequently impounded and taken to the station for investigation. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said at the station, the suspect again offered sum of N500,000 to be allowed to go. According to him, the money was rejected, adding that the DPO promptly briefed the Commissioner of Police on the arrest and recovery. Ikenga said: "The CP then ordered State CID Awka to take over the case for investigation with a view to unravelling where the used cables came from." He said that at the presentation of the cash award in his office on Friday, the CP commended the DPO for providing good leadership and Inspector Charity Oyor for her uprightness. He urged all personnel in the command to always uphold the ethics of the profession by refusing to be compromised in the discharge of their duties. In her speech, Inspector Oyor promised to rededicate herself to the job she loves so much and thanked the CP for his generosity
- Drama as LG terminates Park contract in Onitsha
By Madu Obi There was a mild drama at the popular Nigerian Waterways Authority, NIWA Motor Park near the old Niger Bridge, at the weekend, as officials of Onitsha South local government stormed the area to take possession of the motor park, following a court ruling terminating the contract. Onitsha South local government area had in 2006, entered into a contractual agreement with J.N Okpagu and Sons Enterprises Limited for the control and management of the park, but it was gathered that the local government was not satisfied with the returns being made by the contractor. Despite complaints by officials of the council, the company has been having its way over the years until yesterday. Worried by the continued loss of revenue from the park, the council decided to terminate it. The Transition Committee Chairman of the council, Hon. Emeka Orji said the termination followed a court order restraining the company from further operating on the park, as well as breaching of the contractual agreement, ranging from non payment of the agreed fees which the council estimated at over N7 million for the past five years. In the Suit No. Rev/3/MISC 05/2023, filed by the local government council, the Presiding Magistrate of the Revenue Court of Onitsha Magisterial District, N. A. Ozumba, had on August 15, this year, ordered that the defendants, Okpagu and his privies should stop operating in the said motor park. Armed with the court order, Orji who stormed the park with court bailiffs and other senior staff of the council, told the proprietor of the park, Chief Ngozi Okpagu to stop further operations in the park as the council has revoked the contractual agreement entered with him since 2006 during the regime of the former chairman of the council, Chief Basil Ejidike. The exercise was monitored by the Police Area Commander for Onitsha, the Divisional Police Officer at Bridgehead and his Fegge counterpart, CSP Rabiu Garba, who ensured that there was no breach of peace. On arrival at the motor park with his team, the court bailiffs served Okpagu with the court order which he initially refused to acknowledge. For over one hour, Okpagu ignored persuasion from the court bailiffs, but later reluctantly directed one of his staff to acknowledge the receipt of the order. Apparently thinking that he could reach a truce with the council officials, Okpagu wrote a cheque of undisclosed amount and attempted to hand it over the Hon. Orji as part of payment of his accumulated arrears of revenue owed to the council over the years, but the council officials refused to accept it from him on the ground that it was already too late since the contract had been terminated and the council had taken the decision to take over the management of the park and revenue collection. Secretary of Onitsha South local government, Mr. Paul Onuachala recalled that the council authorities had sealed the park sometime ago over non payment of sanitation fees to the council for many years after giving the contractor series of demand notices, but barely a week after the sealing, he pleaded for leniency and the park was reopened for him. According to him, "this time around, we have to withdraw our leniency which he has abused because he must have mistaken our previous one for weakness. "He failed to remit the appropriate fees as contained in the contractual agreement reached between the council and his firm since 2006 and for this reason, it is only the court that can vacate this court order which the council used in ejecting him out of the park". Meanwhile, the court has fixed September 8, this year for hearing of Okpagu's appeal against the injunction restraining him from further operating in the park.
- UNIZIK lecturers demoted over sexual harassment of students.
By Madu Obi SOME lecturers at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka allegedly involved in sexual harassment of students have been demoted by the management of the institution. The Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor of the university on Public Relations and Special Duties, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, who confirmed the demotion, debunked social media reports that students of university recently staged a protest over sexual harassment in the university. Ojukwu, however, did not give the breakdown of the number or the identities of lecturers that were demoted. In a statement on Friday, Ojukwu said: "The attention of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Management has been drawn to a publication in the social media that female students of our university were protesting sexual harassment by lecturers in the university. It is important to state that there was no protest of any sort in the university. "However, there is an ongoing investigation concerning alleged sexual harassment by some lecturers. The Vice Chancellor immediately removed the affected lecturers from their official positions and issued those affected strong warning letters in the affected departments. "Unfortunately, the students who alleged sexual harassment were not forthcoming to testify before the investigation panel." "The Vice Chancellor additionally summoned the affected departments to a meeting where he expressed the university's displeasure and warned lecturers and staff to desist from all actions that would bring the name of the university to disrepute." "He warned that the university management will severely punish erring staff, especially those who are molesting or sexually harassing our students." "The Vice Chancellor has, therefore, made a dedicated telephone number available to enable students report all forms of harassment by staff, especially sexual harassment." "He further assures students of the renewed determination of the university to protect them and treat all forms of allegations of sexual harassment with the seriousness it deserves and confidentially".
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