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Minister Tasks Youths On Technolgical Dev

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The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has tasked youths to embrace technolo-gical innovations to build sustainable socioeconomic progress and development.
Onu gave the charge on Friday in Enugu during the “Nzuko Oha Ndi Ntorobia Igbo 2020’’, organised by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide.
The minister reasoned that Nigerian youths must embrace science, technology and innovation since the richest people in the world, as of now, made their money through technological innovations and programmes.
According to him, “I want you (youths) to be like them. There should be no doubt in your mind, that you can do this. You can do it, because those who have succeeded are human beings like you”.
His words, “This can only be achieved through the effective deployment of science, technology and innovation and I encourage all our youths to embrace Science, Technology and Innovation.
“Our desire as a nation to diversify our economy, build our infrastructure, improve our schools and hospitals, strengthen our currency, feed our people, generate enough jobs, defeat poverty and secure our nation, can only be achieved through  effective utilization of science and technology’’.
While further urging the  youths to help the nation in the war to gain true economic independence, Onu insisted that the mistakes of the past of having low productivity and innovative stance must be corrected.
Said Onu: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to ensure that many of the things imported into the country are produced locally. Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of natural resources.
“We need to ensure that we can convert these enormous natural resources, that are found in all parts of the country, into products and services that we need at home.‘
“When we are able to produce most of our needs at home and export the surplus to other nations, we will win the war for economic independence.
“This will help us create enough jobs for our people as well as create wealth for both our citizens and the nation’’.
On the “Heroes Award 2020”  given to him on occasion, Onu thanked Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide for considering him as “The Foremost Igbo Political Leader in Contemporary Nigeria’’.
This, he said, ‘‘It means a lot to me coming from our youths as future leaders’’.
“I am happy that you will continue to deploy your energy, intelligence, drive, resourcefulness, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in the development of both our communities and the nation.
“Your service to the community is captured in the age-grade system in our various communities’’.
Earlier, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, Chief Arthur Obiora, said that “Onu is a role model to Igbo youths’’; adding that he remained a politician with integrity and humility.
“Onu has remained a role model to many Nigerians. A personality that the Igbo nation and Nigeria have continued to be proud of and all along
these years exhibited exemplary conduct and dignity in his political and public life.
“Onu, as a true Igbo son, has continued to build bridges of understanding and oneness among other tribes and nations within the country,’’ he added. Ends

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman, has bagged a fellowship award of the Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
Conferring the award on the commissioner on Thursday at ESUT Main Campus, Agbani near Enugu, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charles Eze, said that Abdurrahman merited the award for his exemplary qualities as a peace-lover.
According to Eze, Abdurrahman sterling qualities of being an incorruptible officer, a peace maker and resolving issues through alternative dispute resolution methods stands him out.
The acting chancellor said: “In our present day, it is difficult to find a police officer very passionate with his job and highly forthright and would not collect ‘a thank you gift’ from those he served.
“He is humble and contributed a lot through his sacrifice to bring the security we have come to continue to enjoy after some men of the underworld decided to toy with the peace in the state.
“But now, we have peace and security and we can sleep with our two eyes closed.
“So, ESUT through the institute today decided to honour whom honour is due and the whole council of the university through the institute  is delighted to confer on you this award,’’ he said.
Earlier, Prof. Felix Asogwa, the Director of Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies of ESUT, said that the award was meant to celebrate a man with symbolic humility and service to humanity.
Asogwa noted that since Abdurrahman took over as the commissioner of police in the state, he had left no one in doubt of his resolve to marshal out his duty with a sense of duty, dedication and integrity.
He had handled COVID-19 and EndSARS challenges with professionalism and intellectual perfection; adding that he was the first commissioner to organise a seminar for his officers and men to boost their morale to resume duty in earnest after EndSARS turned violent.
“Enugu State is today adjudged as the safest state in the country due to the sacrifice and contribution as well as exemplary leadership style of Abdurrahman’’.
Responding, the Commissioner said that he feels very elated for the award conferred on him, adding; “I do not have the capacity or words in thanking ESUT for their great decision to honour me today’’.
Abdurrahman, however, called on the university and its array of academia to continue to groom and mentor the youths, adding; “Nigeria youths are not lazy but needed mentorship and proper guidance to excel’’.
“I appeal to the university to continue to groom and search for youthful talents that will be guided to take over leadership and bring lasting peace, progress and oneness in the country.
“Nigeria must remain indivisible and we all must contribute our little quota to ensure that our father land succeeded’’.
The fellowship conferment was witnessed by top academia in ESUT, top police officers in Enugu State as well as friends, well-wishers and family members of the commissioner.

 

By: CANICE AMADI ENUGU

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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