Nation
Ugwuanyi Inangurates Projects In IMT, Enugu
The multiple legacy infrastructural projects in the Enugu state-owned Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu executed by the present administration have been inaugurated.
The projects which were executed in furtherance of the concerted efforts of the state government to reposition the institution by addressing the challenges of decayed infrastructure and inadequate human resources were inaugurated by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Some of the landmark projects were block of 15 ultra-modern classrooms on two suspended floors with seating capacity of 1,224 students; block of ultra-modern offices for Registry Division (Exams and Records) with accommodation for a minimum of 75 staff; block of fully furnished ultra-modern Academic Staff Office complex comprising 60 offices with intercom facility; and a world-class Medical Centre with all necessary appurtenances for provision of quality medical services to staff and students of IMT Enugu.
Inaugurating the projects, over the weekend, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that the intervention became imperative to provide the needed infrastructural transformation in IMT as well as save the institute from total collapse and full withdrawal of its accreditation.
The governor, who directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji to summon the contractor handling the rehabilitation of internal roads in the Institute to return to site immediately to complete the project, said: “Our administration has supported the Institute to achieve full accreditation of all academic programmes including the institution’s accreditation while continuing the improvement in the overall infrastructural health of the Institute”.
He lauded the Council and Management of IMT for providing the leadership that enabled the clinical delivery of the vision, strategy, plan and projects, urging the staff and students to put the newly inaugurated infrastructure to judicious use.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of IMT Governing Council, Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, on behalf of the entire community of the Institute, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for “the wholesome support we have received from the state government”.
Mrs. Nwobodo revealed that “apart from the initial buildings erected in 1973 when the Institute commenced, no other administration has made this type of impact or investment in IMT”, saying: “So I make bold to say that it is a day of fulfillment! A day of showing forth a vision turned into reality!”.
The Council Chairman disclosing that IMT which ranked 27th position in the national ranking of Polytechnics when the present Council was reconstituted, today, through the governor’s excellent support now ranks No. 7 in the country and the 2nd best state-owned Polytechnic, after the Polytechnic, Ibadan.
She stressed that the inauguration of the legacy projects, “otherwise called IMT Citadel Projects” was an eloquent testimony to the governor’s quality leadership “that has not just impacted and reformed IMT, but has stood the Institute out particularly in infrastructure amongst Polytechnics in Nigeria.
“The mandate to make IMT a degree-awarding Institute also got a lot of mileage. Today, the Institute is in affiliation with the premier University in the country, University of Nigeria and we are offering degree programmes in eight courses”.
In his opening remarks, the Rector of IMT, Prof. Austin Nweze, who recounted the numerous intervention projects of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration in the Institute, stated that the governor has been releasing the monthly subventions of the school which translates to about 75 percent of the monthly wage bills.
Prof. Nweze further stated that the governor on some occasions releases special grants to the Institute for the purpose of meeting up with its personnel costs, adding that “In 2017 and 2021, His Excellency, with the approval of the State Executive Council, magnanimously approved and released large sums of money with which we successfully embarked on NBTE re-accreditation Visitations.
“Permit us to note that the two exercises were quite successful as 18 programmes plus Institutional Accreditation were carried out in 2017 and 40 programmes were done in 2021. These were landmark achievements”.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.
The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.