IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A heavy downpour reportedly have claimed the life of a first-year student of the Imo State University Owerri (IMSU) .

According to report, Chiamaka Obodo, 20, was making a call with her phone inside her parents’ house at the Obilubi Obazu Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State, when the lightning that took her life struck. And she died immediately before help could come.

Meanwhile, her body has been deposited at the nearest morgue, and she will be laid to rest on Friday, June 17, 2022.

The Federal Government has said it would spend about N34 billion on the ongoing payment of minimum wage consequential adjustments to education sector workers with effect from 2019.

According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the beneficiaries include the members of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and their counterparts in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this while responding to questions from Labour correspondents in Abuja on the prolonged ASUU strike. According to Ngige, the universities would get N23.5b, the polytechnics N6b and the Colleges of Education N4b, totaling about N34b.

Regarding the ASUU strike, the Minister said the committees set up during the last tripartite-plus meeting of the government and university-based unions were given a fortnight to turn in their report, and they were still working.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy President of NLC, Dr. Nasir Idris has been elected Governorship Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi state.

Nasir Idris garnered one thousand and fifty five (1055) votes to defeat two other contestants at the party’s primary election in Birnin Kebbi. The chairman of the APC Kebbi governorship primaries (National Secretariat), Hon. Idris Yahuza Ya’akub, declared the outcome of the election in the early hours of Friday.

Senate Majority Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi who was one of the contestants, scored zero vote while the third aspirant, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Mallam secured thirty five votes. In his acceptance speech, the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Nasir Idris, commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for making it possible for the party to conduct the primary election, smoothly, peaceful, hitch free and transparent.

Dr. Nasir thanked all delegates, APC Members and people of Kebbi State for entrusting him with the leadership position which will entail steering the affairs of the state if elected governor. He pledged to build upon the foundation of societal progress already laid by Governor Bagudu.

.... As Compiled by The New Nigeria Team.

Education is an essential part of human life. An individual may use education as a tool to empower and leverage their innate potential, to be productive in society. In addition, the noble and beautiful act of acquiring knowledge through education changes an individual’s perspective of viewing life, thus shaping the character and behaviour of the individual.

To understand Rochas Okorocha, you have to understand his educational philosophy, and deep love, a keen educationist who believes all children deserve the opportunity to attend quality schools and receive the best education possible. For many years, He has supported various educational programs. He believes education should be seen as a right and not a privilege.

In 1998, His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha established the Rochas Foundation, a non-governmental organization that was created to provide free qualitative public education to children, restore the dignity and hope of widows, orphans, and the less privileged. Since the inception of the foundation in 1998, over 60,000 plus students have benefitted from scholarships. His Excellency has also trained 1,500 teachers (from other states as well) at all levels. In Imo state he built 546 Twelve-number classrooms upstairs Block for primary schools, Built some secondary schools, and remodelled many.

A philanthropist indeed more of his amiable contributions to the educational sector in Imo state includes:

1. Built Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies along Egbu road

2. Built National Polytechnic Arondizuogu. 

3. Built Imo State Polytechnic Ehime Mbano. 

4. Built Ahiara Polytechnic Ahiazu Mbaise. 

5. Built Imo State Polytechnic Orlu. 

6. Built University of Medical Sciences Ideato.

7. Built University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Aboh Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala.

8. Built University of Creative Technology. 

9. Built Marine University Oguta (under Construction). 

10. Built Eastern Palm University (PPP) Ogboko. 

11. Built College of Education, Ihitte Uboma.

12. Built Police College Ogboko.

13. Built Young Scientist College Owerri.

14. Built Imo Girls College Owerri.

15. Built Ohaji/Egbema College of Education

16. Rebuilt Government Technical College. 

17. Rebuilt Comprehensive Secondary School Amakohia.

18. Built 305 Upstair School buildings he also introduced Free and qualitative education from Primary to University, Polytechnic, College of Education, etc.

19. Built School Enrolment Snowballed from 267,000 in 2011 to 850,000.

20. The Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo was rebuilt and remodeled by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

21. Imo State University with most of the befitting structures was built by Governor Rochas Okorocha's administration.

22. The number of School Children drastically dropped while hawking on the streets of Owerri got reduced to five percent.

The State has led in JAMB Applications from 2012 to 2018 in the Country, because of the free education program. At the recent education fundraiser held by the Yobe state governor in, Abuja on the 10th of February 2022. Rochas Owelle Anayo Okorocha promised to provide a school infrastructure once the land is given. His Excellency's love for education is outstanding and deeply rooted which triggers his excellency's unrelenting quest to better the educational sector. This is the man Nigeria needs, for a new Nigeria.

.....MEMBER, REPRESENTING ORLU/ ORSU/ ORU EAST FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, IMO STATE

.....CHAIRMAN, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PETITIONS

As Compiled by Jerry Alagboso Campaign Organization.

EARLY LIFE:

Rt Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso was born on the 28th day of September, 1953. He had his primary Education at Aba, Abia state in the 60's. He got enrolled into Post-Primary at Holy Ghost College then called Arugo High School in Owerri from 1966-1974. 

From there, He proceeded to the Uriversity of Ibadan, Jos Campus in the year 1974. When the University campus was becoming Autonomous, they were relocated to the University of Ibadan main campus where he Graduated with B.Ed. (Hons) Education and History.

After Graduation, He did his Youth Service in Oyo State where he was posted to teach at Iroko Community Grammar School (at Ibadan less city). After his NYSC, he enrolled into the same University of Ibadan for his Post Graduate Studies where he obtained a Masters Degree in Adult Education specializing in Industrial Relations in 1980. Hon. Jerry is married and his marriage is blessed with many children.

CIVIL SERVICE:

After his Masters Degree, he attended the Public Service Commission interview and was offered a job in the Nigeria Customs Service. After his training at the Customs Training School, Harvey Road, Yaba - Lagos, he was posted to Tin Can Island Port (his first official posting in Nigeria Customs). From Tin Can Island Port. He worked in many duty posts such as: Murtala Mohammed Airport Ikeja, Federal Operations Unit Ikeja, Lilypond, Apapa, Ibadan, Idiroko, Seme-Badagry, Bauchi, Abuja, Calabar, and Port-Harcourt. 

He rose to the rank of a full Comptroller and was appointed a Customs Area Controller at different times and years to Administer Cross River State (Calabar Seaport and Calabar Free Trade Zone), Akwa Ibom and Island Port from where he retired voluntarily in December 2006 and handed Tin Can Island to Comptroller Wakili and PTML new port to another Comptroller.

HIS PUBLISHED WORKS:

While in the Service, he authored several interesting books such as: The Armed Chair Parents, The Honourable chairman, Ina-aga, Sign and Wonders, The 1st Day and His Excellency & the Siren.

Before he retired from the Nigeria Customs Service, he authored a sort of valedict entitled "Eyes Right: - Nigeria Customs Service on the Dais". While in retirement, he also authored some plays such as Sorters & Sortees, Oh! My Rolls Royce and my Fairly Old Wife. Even as Serving Member of the House of Representatives, he still finds time to write and has authored several books such as Specks in our eyes, Tony wants to marry etc.

Some of his books are being used in Secondary Schools especially in Imo State as they are recognized by the State Ministry of Education and beyond.

REPRESENTING HIS PEOPLE:

He is a major Stakeholder in Imo and National Politics especially in People's Democratic, Party PDP where he made a lot of contributions. No wonder he is at present a Member of the Federal House of Representatives Representing Orlu, Orsu, Oru-East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly where he has been contributing to Motions and Bills on the floor of the Green Chamber and public debates on TVs.

Dear IMO-WEST PDP delegates, Your interests should be considered first. Your mandate should be given to a leader who has charisma and defined identity.

Think Orlu..

Think Effective Representation..

Think Jerry Alagboso..

Think The way.. 

IMO-WEST SENATE 2023

ORLU CHORO ONYE MA UZO!

By New Nigeria Team

We can boldly say that now, more than ever, the population of children and youths have risen and with it raises the risk that faces them (especially those in Africa). This is because of the factors which hinder their development, poverty being a major one. Therefore, there is a need for putting the children and youths at the forefront of our discussion as most of them are not from financially stable homes capable of providing quality education for them as they will determine the quality of the society’s future.

Birthed from the desire to give every child a chance at a better future, the Rochas Foundation started as a family affair in Owerri, with cook-outs, gifting the less privileged, going to churches and mosques with welfare packages.

With its headquarters in Owerri, Imo state, the Rochas Foundation was Established in 1998 and so far, has trained 25,000 children, 6000 graduates, some of who are now in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Google. It has been 24 years of providing free and quality education to the less privileged children in society, giving them a level playing ground with their privileged peers.

The vision includes alleviating the plight of handicapped and less privileged children through free and comprehensive secondary school education and also accommodation for poor children, thereby giving hope to the hopeless and sensitizing the populace on several health issues like HIV/AIDS prevention and quality living.

The Foundation is not peculiar to a certain zone in Nigeria, as it has colleges in Owerri, Sokoto, Ibadan, Cross River, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Yola, Zaria, Jos, to name a few. The gesture was also expanded to 55 African countries, and indigent children were randomly selected and given free education up to the university level.

It will be recalled that the Olu of Ibadan, His Royal Majesty Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso) of Ibadan, and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) honored him with the award of “ Outstanding friend of Ibadan land in recognition of his contribution to the education of indigent children through his free education policy and establishment of tuition free schools in Ibadan, Oyo state. 6000 children from Oyo states and other Southwest states have benefited from his free education program the award caps the grand finale of the 2021 Ibadan cultural Festival Celebration at the liberty stadium.

In his words, “we in Ibadan have decided to celebrate you now and outside your territory so as to show that a burden has created a deserved permanent place for you in her territory. You are most deserving of this honor by virtue of this establishment. This unique youth empowerment legacy of yours we remain indelible in our minds till eternity. It is also a testimony to the fact that you have what it takes to reposition our great country.”

As he received the award, he also stated that measures had to be put in place to eradicate poverty. According to him, it wasn’t borne out of the desire to flagrantly display wealth but to a covenant with God Almighty and urged collective efforts for a better future for out youth and children.

The Foundation is funded by his various sets of businesses ranging from real estate to hospitality. Not all heroes wear capes. Some give children and youths a better future.

“If there’s anything we can do in our time to help humanity, let us do it now for we might not pass this way again”. - Rochas Okorocha

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to consider the plight of students and call off its ongoing strike. He made the appeal at the 19th National productivity day and conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit award held on Thursday.

The President equally urged students in public tertiary institutions to exercise patience as the Federal Government is striving to address the nagging issues in the nation’s university system within the ambit of available resources. Buhari’s appeal came two days after the union extended its industrial action, accusing the government of unwillingness to address its demands.

During Thursday’s event at the State House, President Buhari conferred the 2019/2020 awards on 37 individuals and 11 organizations. So far, three-hundred and eighty-two individuals and 97 organizations have been awarded since the ceremony began in February 1991.

Among the awardees is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, who was honoured for his role in advancing agriculture in the country; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for his role in the war against COVID; Doctor Chikwe Iheakweazu, former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

A presidential aspirant, Emeka Nwajiuba, has resigned his appointment as the Minister of State for Education. Nwajiuba, who is seeking to run for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), resigned from office on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed the minister’s resignation. The announcement comes a few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) seeking to vie for any elective position to drop their appointment.

President Buhari had issued the directive while presiding over the weekly FEC meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This directive, however, excludes the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, because he is an elected member of the cabinet.

Ministers affected Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science, Technology, and Innovation), Emeka Nwajiuba (Education – State), and Timipre Sylva (Petroleum Resources – State. All of these ministers are presidential aspirants and have bought the nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling APC.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended the ongoing strike by twelve weeks, the president of the union, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke said on Monday. 

In a statement he issued after an emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the association at the University of Abuja on Sunday, the ASUU president said the decision was to give the government enough time to resolve all outstanding issues with the lecturers.

“After extensive deliberations, noting the Government’s failure to live up to its responsibilities and speedily address all the issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA) within the additional eight-week roll–over strike period declared on 14th March 2022, NEC resolved that the strike be rolled over for twelve weeks to give Government more time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues,” the ASUU president’s statement read.

“The roll-over strike action is with effect from 12.01a.m. on Monday, 9th May 2022.”

An elder statesman and senior lawyer, Robert Clarke, SAN, Monday in Abuja, said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should serve for an extra six months to give him enough time to address the country’s security woes.

Clarke stated that with less than a year to the 2023 elections there was not enough time to address the insecurity to ensure a safe exercise.

Speaking on Arise Television programme, he noted that the Constitution provided the President to extend his tenure for six months in the first instance if conditions were not ripe for an election.

He, however, warned that the nation may not scale through 2023 if nothing was done before the elections.

“The Constitution provides that the President can stay longer than eight years. I’ve always said it. It is in the Constitution. If the situation in which we’re in now continues, and it is impossible to vote in the 2023 elections, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President can stay. Given all insurgencies, kidnappings, and Boko Haram, I don’t think in these areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.

“So, the fact that the Constitution says the president cannot stay for more than eight years is wrong. Because the same constitution says he can be given six months if those conditions persist.

“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within six months from today or before February next year when the elections will be held.

A 40-year-old broadcaster, Uche Igwe, who allegedly shared on Twitter, a video of a 10-year- old Chrisland School student, who engaged in sexual intercourse, was Monday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

Igwe, who resides at No. 14 Ogundare Street in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of cyberstalking and breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.