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Author: Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

  • Anti-open Grazing Bill: Ohaneze Ndigbo youths hail Senate’s 2nd reading  

    Anti-open Grazing Bill: Ohaneze Ndigbo youths hail Senate’s 2nd reading

    Bill
    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Youth Wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has lauded the Senate for ensuring that the Bill seeking to establish ranches at herders’ states scaled the second reading.

    Mr Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the Acting National Youth Leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, made the commendation during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bill was sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC- Benue North-West Senatorial District).

    It passed through the second reading on Wednesday.

    It is entitled: “A Bill to Establish a National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches Throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes, 2024”.

    Okpalaezeukwu said that the bill would serve as an antidote for the perennial clashes between farmers and nomadic herders.

    He described farmer-herder clashes as a recurring crisis that had claimed lives and property and affected the country’s economy.

    According to him, the establishment of ranches will control and manage the incessant and unnecessary crisis.

    “The basic responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens and open grazing is detrimental to it.

    “Rearing of cattle is not an ethnic phenomenon, it has become a matter of national security and not something to be sentimental about.

    “There are many countries that produce more cattle and do other dairy businesses than Nigeria but do not encounter such crisis, and that is because they do not engage in open grazing.

    “We urge Nigerians to consider ranching as a viable option at this critical time,” Okpalaezeukwu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LCO/FON/USO
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Sam Oditah

     

  • Foundation rewards 45 students in Anambra quiz competition

    Competition
    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Dr Chinedu Umeadi Foundation (DCUF) on Friday rewarded 45 students with cash gifts for their outstanding performances at the just concluded Science Quiz Competition in Anambra State.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 217 public secondary schools participated in the fifth edition of the DCUF Science Quiz Competition.
    Speaking at the awards ceremony in Awka on Friday, Mr Ikem Onwuadi, the President, DCUF, said the competition and award was to encourage students to take their education seriously.
    “The founder of the foundation has been lamenting over the nation’s deteriorating educational system.
    “And for him, changing the ideology of younger generation and catching them young, is the sure way of making Nigeria better.
    “This was why he started this foundation five years ago and over N15 million has been committed to contribute our quota to development of education sector, youth empowerment healthcare, leadership training and other programmes.
    “I’m appealing to well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate this gesture as government alone cannot do it,” he said.
    Onwuadi congratulated the best performing students and urged them to work harder to sustain the achieved success.
    Also speaking Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairperson, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, thanked the foundation for its creative method of using advanced programme software and computer based test for the competitions.
    “These strategies will go a long way to elevate students’ Intelligent Quotient in Information and Communication Technology and it is in line with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s education agenda for the state,” she said.
    Okwukwe Ezeobiora of Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, emerged the  best student in the senior school category, while Ebere Okparakunne of Queen of Rosary College, Onitsha, emerged the overall best student in the junior school category.
    They received N300,000 cash award each for their outstanding performances.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
    LCO/JNC
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    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • BECE: Anambra govt commits to zero exam malpractice

    Examination

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State Government has expressed commitment to zero malpractice in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the state.
    The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, said this on Friday, while monitoring some of the examination centres in the state.
    Chuma-Udeh said the ultimate goal of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration was to produce a school environment devoid of malpractices, and to raise children that are skillful and technologically empowered to face the world.
    “Anambra State education system has been recording zero malpractice in examinations such as the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council and other exams.
    “We were able to achieve the feat because we have stamped out corruption from the education sector in the state,” she said.
    Chuma-Udeh said the BECE Monitoring team from the Federal Ministry of Education also visited the state to monitor the conduct of the examination.
    “They are here to ensure conformity in all educational space in the nation and to ensure all due processes are observed in the exercise.
    “The visit was also to ensure there are no irregularities in the conduct of the exams.
    “Anambra State is above board when it comes to examination. I’m assuring them of zero examination malpractice,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LCO/FON/JNC
    ==============
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Institute, NAN partner on promoting made in Nigeria goods

     

    Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro, Overseeing Officer at the Electronics Development Institute (ELDI)

     

    Institute, NAN partner on promoting made in Nigeria goods

    Promotion

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro, Overseeing Officer at the Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), Awka, says the institute was ready to partner with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in promoting made in Nigeria goods.

    Ogungbenro said this when he received the NAN, Anambra Correspondent, Mrs Joy Mbachi, who led other members of staff on a courtesy visit to the institute on Friday.

    ELDI is an institute under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), with focus on electronics, software and hardware researches as well as production of prototypes for small and medium enterprises.

    He said: “I’m appealing to Anambra residents and Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products because that is the way to go, to come out of the current economic situation.

    “It is not just a patriotic gesture, it is also a way to develop and grow local industries and Nigeria’s economy.

    “I made bold to say that ELDI has made lots of researches and produced prototypes and products that have capacity to solve some problems in our various households and offices.

    “We produce energy saving bulbs, stabilisers, solar inverter, solar generating sets, automated mower, rechargeable lamps, automatic poultry cage system, electronic medical testing device, among others.

    “These products are very affordable, durable and of high quality. Let us patronise our own locally made products and we will see our economy flourish.”

    Ogungbenro called on the Anambra State Government to partner with the research institute, saying that there were lots of services the institute could offer to the government at cheaper cost.

    Earlier, Mrs Joy Mbachi, State Correspondent, NAN, Awka, said the visit was to seek partnership and to ensure effective coverage of the innovations at the institute.

    According to Mbachi, publicising the inventions of ELDI in the media will create awareness and attract the attention of Nigerians to their products and services.

    Highlight of the visit was a tour of the institute’s electronics workshops. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    LCO/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Immigration, NSCDC partner on border security in Anambra

    NIS collaboration with NSCDC in Anambra

     

    Immigration, NSCDC partner on border security in Anambra

    Collaboration

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Godwin Nzeribe, has sought support of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on border security and immigration management.

    Nzeribe made the call when he visited Commandant Maku Olatunde, at the NSCDC Command Headquarters, Awka on Thursday.

    He said that the inter-agency synergy would help address the problems of illegal migration, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

    “Our agencies’ alignment with the Ministry of Interior necessitates a synergy to achieve our mandates effectively, in terms of enhancing border security and immigration management in the state.

    “My visit to your office is to obtain briefs and to strengthen the inter-agency synergy between NIS and NSCDC.

    “Thank you for your warm reception and continued collaboration with NIS,” he said.

    Responding, Commandant Maku Olatunde, reaffirmed NSCDC’s commitment to collaborating with NIS.

    Maku highlighted NSCDC’s achievements in protecting critical national assets, combating quackery in the private security industry, and fighting petroleum products adulteration in Anambra.

    “The need for us to collaborate cannot be overemphasised, we are ready and willing to continue the existing relationship and share intelligence in achieving our mandates,” he said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

    LCO/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Soludo appoints Prof Odinkalu as pro chancellor, Ojukwu varsity governing council

     

    Council

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has appointed Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State.

    Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

    Aburime said that the new Council was assembled with a focus on excellence, integrity and strategic leadership.

    The statement said that the Council would provide guidance and oversight for the continued growth and development of the state-owned university.

    Other members of the Council are Mrs Ifeoma Ekwueme, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi and Igwe Oranu Chidume. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

    LCO/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Strike: Anambra records 90% compliance- NLC Chairman

    Strike: Anambra records 90% compliance- NLC Chairman

     Strike

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

     Awka, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra on Monday, said that the organised labour recorded 90 per cent compliance in the state.

     Nwafor told newsmen after going round Awka to monitor compliance in Awka and its environs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that offices at the federal and state secretariats, the state House of Assembly schools, banks and courts did not open for business.

    Nwafor, while commending union leaders for their cooperation, said the strike would continue until the federal government yield to their demands

    “To be honest with you, I am very much delighted with the Anambra workers’ total compliance to the strike.

     “Picketing is ongoing across the state according to the directive from the national body, and it will continue until 6p.m. to ensure that no office is open for any administrative businesses,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) 

    LCO/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru 

     

  • Hit-and-run driver kills woman in Anambra

    Hit-and-run driver kills woman in Anambra

     

     

    Accident

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June. 1, 2024 (NAN) A driver hit and killed a female pedestrian along Awka-Onitsha Expressway in Anambra on Friday night,  according to the state Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

     

    Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, who told newsmen on Saturday in Awka, said that the driver fled the scene after the incident.

     

    Irelewuyi said that the likely cause of the accident was speeding.

     

    He said that the crash involved an unidentified driver of a Toyota Hiace commercial bus with no registration number, enroute Upper Iweke, Onitsha.

     

    “According to eyewitness report, the driver of the vehicle, who was on speed, rammed into a pedestrian female adult and zoomed off.

     

    “FRSC rescue team arrived the scene and took the victim to Toronto Mortuary after the doctor confirmed her death,” he said.

     

    While condoling with the family of the dead, Irelewuyi cautioned motorists on speeding, especially during the rainy season.

     

    He urged them to ensure they keep to specified  speed limits. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    LCO/SOA

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    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle