Metro
Rivers Releases N16.6bn To Upgrade State Varsity’s Facilities
Rivers State Government has released the sum of N16. 6 billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University (RSU).
Announcing the release to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said N9 billion of that sum would serve as take-off grant for the establishment of new campuses of Rivers State University (RSU) in Ahoada, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas.
According to him, N3 billion will be devoted to each of the new campuses for the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, offices, Libraries, auditoriums, lecture halls and address other needs required for the campuses to operate maximally.
“This is a landmark development in the history of the institution which has maintained one campus since its establishment in October 1980.
“With the establishment of the three campuses, the communities where they are sited will be opened up for consequential development and economic activities. It will reduce the rate of unemployment in the state.”
The Information and Communications Commissioner also said N7. 6 billion had been released to enable the College of Medical Sciences of RSU to establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology Building.
With the release, Nsirim said, the college would be enabled to fully commence its programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
According to him, the gesture will also strengthen accredited departments and those due for accreditation at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
Nsirim also announced that the State Government had established a scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences.
This, he said, would provide Rivers children and other Nigerians access to medical education in the state.
“We are glad to share this good news with you at a time when governance has been grounded in most parts of the world because of covid-19.
“This development will assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor to patient ration in the state and country.
“The Rivers State government under the visionary leadership of Governor Wike, as a responsive governor, is determined to contribute to reduce this gap thus the massive investment in the training of doctors.
“We are confident that in the next few years, Rivers State will play a major role producing medical manpower in the country. ”
Also addressing the journalists, Rivers State Commissioners for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike said with the release of the fund, the College of Medical Sciences can operate as a full-fledged college with all its required programmes running.
According to him, accreditation of departments and programmes will be easy to secure because of the enhanced capacity of the college that already has requisite personnel engaged.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku said skeptics who thought that Governor Wike was making mere political statement when he promised to establish three new campuses for the Rivers State University will see that he is walking the talk.
According to him, with the money released and contractors soon to commence construction of Classrooms, hostels, auditoriums and offices at the three Local Government Areas, there is an assured expansion of RSU to benefit the entire state.
Prof. Ebeku said this will increase access to education because admission spaces will be opened for more intakes, and those communities hosting the new campuses will enjoy increase commercial activities and attendant development.
Metro
Chief Asaga commissions house for staff in Abakaliki
As the 2024, yuletide approaches, popular Abuja-based hotelier, philanthropist and CEO/MD of C-Sagas Group, Architect Chief Christian Asaga Nwali, PhD, has once again commissioned a house for one of his staff in Ebonyi State, in appreciation of his contributions to the successes of the company over the years.
Chief, who holds the chieftaincy title of Ide Ji Ulo 1 of Izzi Nnodo, Uzochukwuwara 1 of Ekpelu Kingdom, Odozie-Obodo 1 of Ameka, Ikwo, gifted the building, a 4-bedroom bungalow with boy’s quarters, properly fenced with gate, to Engr Donatus Azunku, aka MTN who hails from Abakaliki LGA of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Speaking to our reporter on what prompted the magnanimity, Architect Asaga said, for over a decade, Engr. Donatus Azunku served as the dedicated Project Engineer of C-Sagas Group, “exemplifying unwavering commitment, humility and a willingness to learn.”
He said: “For me, the purpose of living is to make a profound and lasting impact on the people and environment surrounding me. Therefore, I strive to ensure that this impact is decidedly positive, transformative and continuous, leaving a ripple effect of goodness that resonates beyond my lifetime and creating a legacy of goodness that endures.
“To the glory, on behalf of C. Sagas Group, today being Tuesday, November 19, 2024, I am honoured to dedicate this magnificent home to Engr. & Mrs. Donatus Azunku and family. The truth is that, for over a decade, Engr. Donatus Azunku has served as our dedicated Project Engineer, exemplifying unwavering commitment, humility and a willingness to learn.
“Therefore, as I officially commission this beautiful house today, I pray that Almighty God will continue to bless his family abundantly. May this home be filled with love, joy, and prosperity and may your family be blessed beyond measure in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Architect Chief Christian Asaga Nwali is particularly popular for having the interest of his staff, family and those around him at heart, whether in Enugu, Abakaliki or Abuja, apart from also lifting numerous people from poverty by establishing businesses for them or building houses for them.
Following his philanthropic activities and humanitarian interventions, Dr. Christian Asaga Nwali, has in his employment over 1000 Nigerians in his establishments like Cirenes Hotels in Kpiri-Kpiri, Abakaliki, Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites in New Haven, Enugu and Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites in Wuye, Abuja, C.Sagas Luxury Homes Ltd, taking in his stride scholarship programs and marriage sponsorship of his employees, among others.
It is an annual culture for the hotelier to distribute cars to his staff and those around him. In 2019, be bought and distributed 8 cars to members of his staff.
Again, in December, 2023, Architect Asaga Nwali also distributed exotic cars to his staff in Ebonyi State, in appreciation of their contributions to the successes of the C-Sagas Group.
In March, this year, the C-Sagas Group built and donated a church building to Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), Ameka, Ikwo, Ebonyi State.
Many beneficiaries of his magnanimity are presently thanking the hotelier for lifting them from poverty in different ways.
Metro
Man attempts crippling wife with pestle in Anambra
Delight Chinedum
A middle-aged man identified as Tochukwu Obumneme from Obosi has allegedly attempted crippling the wife Chizoba Obumneme with a pestle over a minor misunderstanding.
Our Correspondent gathered that the incident which took place in their house in Asaba, Delta State reportedly escalated after the suspect abandoned the victim at her parent’s house in Onitsha for delaying him without remorse.
According to Chizoba, “It initially started as a threat before he dashed to the kitchen, brought the pestle and hit me on my leg.
“This is not the first time he has raised his hands on me.”
The suspect who was invited for a peaceful mediation at the office of the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare was said to have turned down the invitation.
He was said to have rather threatened his wife and the Social Welfare Officer for inviting him.
Reacting, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo promised to get justice for the victim.
Metro
NDLEA arraigns man for illegal hemp transaction
Adesokan Olalekan, 56, has been charged with drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The defendant faces a single count of illegally dealing in cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as hemp, and is currently on trial before Justice Ayokunle Faji.
He entered a guilty plea to the revised accusation.
Following his plea, Mr. Peter Ereche, an NDLEA agent, testified for the prosecutor, Mr. Aondofa Korinjo, who went over the case’s facts.
The witness told the court how a group of NDLEA agents brought the defendant in while hiding packaged cannabis sativa in a black nylon bag.
He informed the judge that once samples were extracted from the drug, an analysis revealed that it contained cannabis sativa.
The prosecutor then used the witness to present some evidence, including the drug analysis report, a request for scientific assistance form, and the certificate of test analysis.
The bulk of the material, the substance package form, the defendant’s confessional statement dated September 28, and the remaining material that was analyzed were among the additional pieces of evidence that were presented.
Mrs. Vivian Ekwegh, the defense attorney, raised no objections to the evidence being presented.
As a result, the court acknowledged them and noted them as exhibits.
Considering the defendant’s plea and the facts presented to the court, the prosecution then urged the court to convict him appropriately.
As a result, Justice Faji found the defendant guilty of the charges.
Defense attorney Ekwegh pleaded with the court to give the convicted person pity in order to temper justice.
According to her, the convicted individual was a first-time offender who promptly entered a guilty plea to the charge, saving the court’s time.
She claimed that the 56-year-old defendant had five dependent children and that the convicted felon was now regretting his actions after realizing his mistake.
The court postponed sentencing until November 18 after hearing the allocutus.
The offender was remanded to the detention facility for sentencing, the court ordered.
The accusation states that the act was committed on September 28 at the Ajara axis of Badagry, Lagos State.
He allegedly dealt in 120g of cannabis without the required legal license.
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