NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Anambra State Police Command has commended the people of Awka for their peaceful and crime-free celebration of the 2024 Imoka Festival. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, praised the community's commitment to peace and cooperation with security agencies. The festival, which showcased the state's rich cultural diversity and traditions, passed off without any reported cases of crime or violence. CP Orutugu urged other localities to emulate Awka's example, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation in maintaining public safety. The police chief also lauded sister agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, for their contributions to the festival's success. He reiterated the command's commitment to an all-inclusive policing system, encouraging citizens to provide information that would enhance public peace and safety in the state.

In the early hours of this Saturday, the trailblazing Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, paid a strategic inspection visit to the Senator Barnabas Gemade Medical Centre at the Ufuma Campus - a brand new, state-of-the-art health facility set to be commissioned as one of the landmark achievements of her first 100 days in office. Poised to redefine healthcare delivery within the institution and its host community, the Gemade Medical Centre stands as a symbol of purposeful leadership, swift execution, and a deep commitment to staff and student welfare. Dr. Awuzie, with her characteristic poise and hands-on approach, expressed satisfaction with the progress and reaffirmed her resolve to transform Federal Polytechnic Oko into a hub of innovation, service, and excellence.

In a gesture of fraternity and goodwill, the Knights of St. John International, Ekwulobia Diocese, paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. The delegation was led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Ezennaka, and Sir. Peter Anyiam, the current diocesan leader of the Order, alongside other distinguished members, including Sir. Ik Ezenwankwo, a former leader of the Knight and one-time staff of the polytechnic. The purpose of the visit was twofold: to heartily congratulate Dr. Awuzie on her well-deserved appointment as substantive Rector and to symbolically extend an invitation for her to consider joining the Knighthood of St. John International, a body known for its devotion to service, discipline, and the promotion of Christian values. Dr. Awuzie warmly received the delegation, expressing gratitude for their thoughtful visit and lauding the Order’s longstanding reputation for integrity and commitment to community service. The event which ...

The effort of the Rector, Dr.Chioma Irene Awuzie, to ensure consistent power supply in the polytechnic has paid off.  Dr.Awuzie on Thursday, May 22, 2025 received in her office, the visiting TETFund committee on Alternative Energy solution for tertiary institutions.  The committee came for assessment of the energy needs of the polytechnic. The committee was led by Dr. Adeola Eleri. Recall that Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) recently announced it was introducing a Special Intervention to address the issue of incessant power failure in the nation’s tertiary institutions and subsequently inaugurated the steering committee to work out alternative Energy solution initiative to tertiary Institutions. The initiative is part of the TETFund’s commitment to support government efforts to have steady power supply in tertiary institutions across the country . The federal government had earlier disclosed plans to provide power supply to tertiary institutions throug...

The Anambra State Market Stakeholders & Elders Forum has strongly condemned Hon. Echezona Anazodo's denial of collecting taxes from traders in Agboedo Market Nnewi F Line. In a statement issued to newsmen in Onitsha, the leader of the forum, Mr. Oliver Nwachukwu expressed dismay at how Hon. Anazodo could lie to journalists he called to have a media chat with him over the weekend that his administration was not engaging in any kind of taxation. He said it's disheartening that someone like a local government chairman can go this low to lie against substantial evidences that abound and even when accounts where provided to that effect.  Mr. Nwachukwu also bemoned the statement credited to the honorable member representing Nnewi North LGA at the state house of assembly, who came out to support the chairman for working against the government of Prof Charles Soludo by overstressing the traders with tax, and wondered why Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike, is defending the...

....calls for the Govt Altruistic Approaches to humanity  From Uchenna Ezeadigwe  Awka A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Tropical Gate Foundation has held a one-day free medical outreach for the elderly in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. The event which took place at the Salvation Army, Amesi on 17th May, 2025 with the Theme: El RIO- The Lord That Sees Me, Genesis 16: 13 saw these women and men undertake Free medical check up, free drug for malaria and Typhoid, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Prostrate health, and eye checks among others. Speaking at the Outreach, the Convener, Apostle Dr Nnamdi Mbaigbo, said his journey as a humanist has always revolved around the betterment of humanity. "With a background as a Salvationist, I have been instilled with the values of compassion and service—principles that encourage us to extend a helping hand to those in need while keeping our hearts anchored in faith. A pivotal moment came in 2015 when ...

Asks Chairman Council to follow the rules Another controversy has erupted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) over the appointment of Professor Umeobi as Acting Vice Chancellor (Ag VC). Dr. Chukwudi Ojiako a university don from the institution has called on the Minister of Education and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit the appointment, citing a potential breach of the university's rules. According to Dr. Ojiako, Professor Umeobi's reappointment would contravene the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council's rules, specifically the University Miscellaneous Act of 2003, which provides for a one-term tenure for Ag Vice Chancellors and substantive Vice Chancellors respectively.  Dr. Ojiako expressed surprise that the Chairman of the Council, a lawyer, would knowingly breach this rule, potentially opening the university up to unnecessary litigation and crisis. He said that the previous tenure of Professor Umeobi served as Ag VC for about four months before the appointm...

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has inaugurated the institution's examination malpractice committee with a call on them to be objective, thorough and transparent in investigating all reported cases of exam malpractices. The committee, which has Rev'd Dr. Moses Nnoruga as chairman, and Mr. Mark-Anthony Achuama as secretary, were inaugurated at the rector's office. While congratulating them on their appointment, the rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie, explained that their terms of reference include: to investigate all reported cases of examination malpractice in a fair, thorough and transparent manner. Others include to review and analyse evidence, written, oral, electronic or otherwise submitted in support of each allegation. Conduct interviews and hearing with accused students, complainants and witnesses, ensuring observance of the principles of fair hearing and due process. The rector also charged the committee members to recommend appropr...

The management of the Anambra state Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, has proposed establishing  an affiliation with  the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state, to enable them run Higher National Diploma ( HND) programmes. Rector of Anambra state Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, Dr. Njideka Rita Chiekezie, who led other principal officers and staff on a courtesy visit to the office of the rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, said that the reason for the collaboration is due to Federal Polytechnic Oko's expertise on HND programmes. She explained further that Anambra state Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, presently runs National Diploma programmees in four schools, which according to her, include School of Engineering Technology, School of Management Sciences, School of Science and Technology and School of Agriculture, adding that the affiliation would enable smooth transitions for ND graduates into HND programmes and foster enhanced academic collaboration and increased student...

In a bold and proactive move to enhance security within the institution, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has officially engaged St. Christopher's Security Services Limited  to take charge of the polytechnic's security architecture. This strategic partnership underscores the rector’s commitment to creating a safe, secure, and conducive environment for learning, innovation, and community life. Engaging St. Christopher's security outfit to oversee security at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, marks a significant step toward strengthening campus safety.  This professional partnership ensures a higher level of discipline, consistent surveillance, and prompt response to emergencies. It also reduces the risk of internal compromise and fosters a culture of security awareness among staff and students.  By choosing a corporate security firm, the institution is prioritizing professionalism, accountability, and the overall well-bein...