TheNewsGuru

Tag: FUTO

  • NCC donates digital ICT park to FUTO

    NCC donates digital ICT park to FUTO

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has donated a fully equipped digital ICT park to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

    NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, handed over the property to the university management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, in Owerri, on Wednesday.

    It was gathered that construction works on the project started in May 2023 and completed in October 2024.

    The ICT park is equipped with a 100-seat capacity hall, five ICT hub halls, a 24-seater lounge with eight double computer workstations, multiple workspaces, and offices.

    Maida, represented by the NCC’s Director of Special Projects, Mr Philip Eretan, said that the digital park would  accelerate ICT innovation, promote research capabilities.

    He said that it would also drive the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy and transform ideas into market-ready solutions.

    “Each park houses, under a single roof, a multidisciplinary facility equipped with modern infrastructure, including high-capacity computer labs, simulation rooms, smart networking systems, collaborative workspaces, and halls.

    “These spaces are designed to serve as incubation centres for indigenous technology solutions, contributing to the socio-economic transformation of our nation in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.

    “Our goal is to create an ecosystem where state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure supports advanced education in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other related fields, while fostering cutting-edge research and skills development.

    “The facility is designed to enable the integration of emerging technologies, such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), into research and learning,” he said.

    He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the NCC to creating an enabling environment where the ICT sector could flourish.

    Responding, Oti thanked the NCC for the intervention and said that it would improve learning and research in the university.

    “We are very grateful for that and we assure you that this edifice will be put to its best use for the benefit of the university,” she said.

  • 21-year-old Imo undergraduate stabs FUTO student to death in Owerri

    21-year-old Imo undergraduate stabs FUTO student to death in Owerri

    A 21-year – old student of the Imo state University whose name has been given as Francis Marvelous, has been arrested and detained  by operatives of the Imo State Police Command  for allegedly stabbing to death, a final-year student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Marvelous Kingsley.

    A statement issued in Owerri, the state capital on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed that the FUTO student was killed on Thursday night following an altercation with the suspect.

    According to Okoye,  the IMSU undergraduate was arrested by the operatives of the command following a distress call.

    He revealed that the suspect would be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation by the command.

    Okoye dispelled the speculation making the rounds that the FUTO undergraduate was stabbed to death by a Fulani herdsman.

    The statement read, “Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested an alleged 300-level student of Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri named Francis Marvellous ‘m’, 21yrs, who hails from Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State for allegedly stabbing to death Chinagorom Marvellous Kingsley ‘m’, 22yrs, who is a final year student of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and a member the University’s Man O’ War Unit.

    “The arrest was a sequel to a swift response to a distress call received from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of FUTO, retired DSP Patrick Egwu, by police operatives on convoy patrol who promptly arrested the suspect who was almost lynched at the scene by an angry mob.

    “The body of the victim was recovered and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Owerri where he was confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuary.

    “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, admitting that he had a heated argument with personnel of the university’s Man O’ War Unit on 29/03/2024 at about 2200hrs during which he brought out a knife he neatly concealed in his trousers and stabbed the victim to death. He mentioned three others who were with him during the fight. They include his brother, Francis Promise, Prince and a man popularly known as Soji.

    “Efforts are on top gear to arrest the suspects at large and ascertain their involvement in the case. The suspect(s) will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

    Meanwhile, an eyewitness told our correspondent that another student whose identity was yet to be ascertained died in the incident.

    “Policemen came and were throwing teargas canisters and students started running and jumping down from their hostels. Unfortunately an asthmatic student died. Another student broke her hand leg and was rushed to Federal Medical Centre in Owerri. Others also sustained injuries, ” he said.

  • FUTO appeals to politicians not to destroy the Institute with politics

    FUTO appeals to politicians not to destroy the Institute with politics

    The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has appealed to politicians in the country not to use
    political issues in destroying the Institute.

    Chairman of FUTO SSANU, Nwokeji Uchenna (KSJI) made the call on Sunday when fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    It would be recalled that the Alumni association of FUTO had said the award of professorship on Isa Patani was inappropriate.

    Nwokeji, who doubles as the chairman of the university’s Joint Action Committee (JAC), noted with regret that most of the issues bringing FUTO to the spotlight such as the Pantami professorship and the host communities grabbing of FUTO land were being sponsored by politicians for selfish political gains.

    He disclosed that since the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti came on board, staff welfare has become one of the top priorities despite the prevailing economic realities in the country.

    Nwokeji said, “We feel that the VC is being distracted on all fronts ranging from the host communities grabbing of FUTO land and this Pantami issue. We have seen people bringing coffins to the university gate in protests. These things are rather derailing the purpose of the university.

    “This is a university that has a governing council that is vested with the power to handle such issues.

    “You are not a professor in FUTO; you are not a member of the FUTO governing council; you are not a stakeholder of any sort in FUTO, but you are writing every day against FUTO. Rather than allow the council do its job, persons who have little or nothing to do with FUTO are being used to cause confusion.

    “If all these attacks are coming from FUTO, I think it can be properly addressed by the management. But in a situation where the concerns are only coming from outside in what can be regarded as a meddlesome interloper, we see it as politically motivated.

    “We want to call on politicians who have their personal political issues to settle to leave FUTO out of it. This is the only federal university of technology in the entire Southeast and Southsouth.

    “We want to implore Southeast and Imo State politicians, in particular, to help protect FUTO from the ongoing destructive politics because this is the only such institution we have around here. Our people should support FUTO management to achieve its purpose which is to turn out world-class scientists and technologists.

    “We feel that the land grabbing issue and all these distractions are being sponsored by politicians in Imo State particularly those of them from Owerri zone which is why we are calling on them to ceasefire. They are destroying what we have in Imo State. They should leave the FUTO land alone to allow the university expand and commence its teaching hospital site”.

    The SSANU chairman, however, expressed happiness that Prof. Oti had remained undaunted in her efforts to reposition FUTO despite the distractions and attempt to derail the university.

    “Our only consolation is that the VC is a focused and committed administrator whose eyes are always on the ball.

    “We call on the state and the federal governments to look into these issues to let the university focus on its core mandate of building our youths to be more responsible members of the society”, Nwokeji said.

  • Reconsider Pantami’s professorship – FUTO alumni tells varsity management

    Reconsider Pantami’s professorship – FUTO alumni tells varsity management

    The Alumni association of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) said the award of professorship on Isa Patani was inappropriate.

    This is contained in a statement co-signed by Mr Kingsley Azuaru , National Secretary and Mr Ndubuisi Chijioke, National President of the association.

    The association said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was right in advising FUTO management to reconsider the appointment.

    “FUTO Alumni Association reaffirms her position that the professorship of Pantami was inappropriate

    “FUTO Alumni Association appreciates the national body of ASUU and the local chapter for jointly condemning the appointment of Pantami as professor in FUTO.

    “NEC also considered the unresolved issue of the appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami as a Professor at our alma mater and has taken note of the National ASUU position.

    “The National Secretary therefore reaffirmed FUTO alumni association’s position that Pantami’s appointment was inexplicable and questionable”, it said.

    The association said it was unfortunate that a group known as Alumni Elders planned host the management of the university to a dinner where it planned to declare support for the award.

    The association said the FUTO Alumni Elders was not a recognised by the association’s constitution.

    “It is deception for FUTO Alumni Elders to deceive the public that the so called Re-Union is being organised in conjunction with FUTO Alumni Association.

    “FUTO Alumni Association is not involved in whatsoever manner with the scheduled dinner by the group called FUTO Alumni Elders.

    “ NEC considers the use of the association’s name in the promotion of this event without its consent a grievous infringement and subversive of the alumni leadership,” it said.

    It said National Executive Council (NEC) of the Alumni had not committed any funds or authorised the university to avail or expend any fund on the event from the alumni funds.

    “In conclusion on the subject issue, NEC wishes to dissociate FUTO Alumni Association and her members from this event

    “And all Chapter executives have been mandated to communicate this position immediately to their members”, it said.

    Many scholars have condemned the award of professorship to Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

    The national leadership of ASUU has advised FUTO management to reverse the award on the ground that it is inappropriate.

    However, FUTO management insists that the award followed due process.

  • ‘There are serious doubts and unanswered questions’; ASUU sets up committee on Isa Pantami’s professorial appointment in FUTO

    ‘There are serious doubts and unanswered questions’; ASUU sets up committee on Isa Pantami’s professorial appointment in FUTO

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is setting up a committee to probe the circumstances leading to the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as a Professor of Cyber Security, Dr Isa Pantami by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)

    ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke stated on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    He noted that the controversial appointment of Pantami by FUTO followed advertisements in some national dailies on September 2, 2020, which made Pantami purportedly apply for the position and thereafter given the position.

    Expressing displeasure over the issues, the ASUU President noted that the Minister was only promoted to the rank of Lecturer 1 in 2013 before he left the country.

    According to him, the Minister allegedly skipped three positions – Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor – with each having at least three years experience requirements.

    Professor Osodeke said that information at his disposal revealed that the Minister resigned from the Abubakar Tafewa Balewa University, Bauchi in 2015 and moved to a university in Saudi Arabia as an Assistant Professor, which is an equivalent of an Assistant Lecturer in Nigeria.

    According to Osodeke, Pantami left the academic to become the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in 2016.

    “There are serious doubt and unanswered questions bordering on the qualification of Dr. Isa Pantami for the position,” he said.

    “The attention of ASUU has been drawn to the controversy generated by the recent appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami, the current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as a Professor of Cyber Security by the Federal University of Technology Owerri,” he said.

    “From 2013 to 2016 when he ceased to be an academic is just three years which means if Futo said he is right, it means the man moved from becoming Lecturer 1 to becoming a Professor within three years which is against all rules.

    “In view of the foregoing and having rejected FUTO Committee’s report, NEC set up an independent committee to go to FUTO to investigate fully and get all the data so that we can put it to the public, the role of FUTO on how this person who spent three years during Lecturer 1 and Professor, how did he become a professor.”

    The ASUU President assured Nigerians that the outcome of the probe would be made public.

  • Panel upholds professorial appointment conferred on Isa Pantami, clears FUTO of infractions

    Panel upholds professorial appointment conferred on Isa Pantami, clears FUTO of infractions

    The governing council and the management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) have been cleared of infractions in the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami as a Professor of Cybersecurity.

    A panel which issued the clearance said the varsity followed due process and subjected Pantami’s publications to evaluation by external assessors.

    It said the university established a prima facie case for the minister to be appointed a professor.

    The panel asked the university to take appropriate measures, including legal action, against those dragging FUTO’s name into the mud.

    Some of these highlights were contained in the report of the probe panel raised by the FUTO chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Following some misgivings over the appointment of Pantami as a Professor in School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT), the ASUUU FUTO Congress on September 22nd, 2021 set up the investigation committee.

    Those who served in the panel are: Prof. M. S. Nwakaudu (Chairman); Prof. G.A. Anyanwu; Prof. C. E. Orji; Prof. Mrs. O.P. Onyewuchi and Prof.T. I. N. Ezejiofor (Member/Secretary).

    According to a document, the panel was mandated to within seven days “ascertain whether or not” due process was applied in the appointment of Dr. Isa Ibrahim as a Professor of Cyber security by the Governing Council of FUTO.

    Those invited to appear before the panel included the University Registrar; the immediate Past Chairman, Committee of Deans; the Dean, School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT); some Deans of Schools who were members of ASAPC-Professional duringthe 2020/2021 Appraisal Year; some Internal Members of the last FUTO Governing Council and the Acting Head, Cybersecurity Department.

    Although the panel sought for extension of time for a comprehensive investigation, it said the university council and the management also complied with FUTO Act in appointing the Minister as a Professor of Cybersecurity.

    The report said in part: “FUTO in her quest to be counted in the modem trends in the fields of science, engineering, technology, etc, decided to establish new programmes such as Forensic Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Cybersecurity, Radiography and Radiation Science among others.

    “FUTO advertised for vacancies in Academic and Academic Support Staff in six schools (namely SICT, SESET, SOES, SOHT, SBMS and SOBS) and 23 Departments including Cybersecurity

    “Vacancies advertised in the Academic Departments (including Cyber Security Department) are for Professor, Reader, Senior Lecturer, etc. The advertisement appeared in the two national newspapers (The Sun and The Guardian) and interested candidates were invited to apply for the position to which they are qualified.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim responded and applied for the post of Professor of Cybersecurity. He was given a Temporary Appointment as Professor of Cybersecurity in the Cybersecurity Department, for which he accepted in writing.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s qualifications include BSc, MSc in Computer Science and MBA all from ATBU, PhD in Computer Information System from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. He is a Fellow and member of some foreign Computer Science professional societies.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim was requested to submit details of his publications and productive works for both internal and external assessments. He complied with the request.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s publications and productive works were sent to the Dean of SICT for internal assessment for the purpose of establishment of prima facie case for the professorial appointment.

    “The Dean of SICT assessed the publications and productive works using the FUTO guidelines for appointment and promotion and established a prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim for him to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.

    “The prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim was presented to the Academic Staff Appraisal and Promotion Committee- Professorial (ASAPC-Professorial) meeting held on 17th March, 2021. The committee discussed the issue and recommended same for approval by the FUTO council.

    “The Council at its meeting held on the 18th of March, 2021 approved the prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.

    “Following the approval of the prima facie case, Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s publications and productive works were sent for external assessment.

    “The external assessment returned positive and the council at its meeting of 20th August, 2021 approved his appointment as a Professor of Cybersecurity.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim was given a tenure appointment as a Professor of Cybersecurity following his appointment by the FUTO Governing Council.

    “Dr. Isa Ibrahim has assumed duties and is currently involved in the teaching of CYB 201 (Fundamentals of Cyber Security), via online and a lead Supervisor of one PhD Student/Staff of Cybersecurity Department.”

    The panel, which said the university was in order on Pantami’s appointment, asked it to go to any extent to protect its image.

    It recommended legal action against those who had allegedly tried to tarnish the image of FUTO.

    The report added: “From our findings and evidence before the panel, members are of the opinion that the appointment of Dr. Isa Ibrahim as a Professor of Cybersecurity by the FUTO Governing Council followed due process.

    “The panel strongly recommends that the University management should as a matter of urgency, take appropriate actions, including legal action, against those who deliberately try to drag the image and reputation of FUTO to the mud.”

    Confirming the panel report, the chairman of the FUTO chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Christopher Echereobia, admitted that the union has a copy in its custody.

    Echereobia said that the report would be deliberated upon at the zonal meeting coming up today in Owerri.

    “After the zonal meeting, we are also going to deliberate on the report on November 12 at the NEC meeting in Abuja before we can take a position on the report,” he said.

    Saying that the panel was set up at the instant of the national, Echereobia said: “So, it is after these deliberations at the zonal and national level that we can take position on the report.”

  • Generator fume kills two FUTO students in their hostel

    Generator fume kills two FUTO students in their hostel

    Tragedy struck last week at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State after two students reportedly died from inhaling fumes from their power generator while asleep.

    According to police, the victims fell asleep on Thursday in a locked room in their Jabulani Hostel, Eziobodo, Owerri West Council Area of Imo State with the generator still running.

    The police said that their bodies were discovered lying helplessly in a room after the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters Nekede/Ihiagwa.

    “On March 4, at about 6 pm, upon a report received at the Divisional Police Headquarters, operatives of the Division moved to Jabulani Hostel, Eziobodo, and met the three (3) occupants of one of the rooms, identified as Nkama Fred Eberechukwu “M” 22YRS, Udeagbala Kenechukwu”M” 21 and Anele Stephen “M” 21, all lying helplessly in the room.

    The Police spokesman, Orlando Ikeokwu (SP) who confirmed the incident, said the operatives broke into the room and immediately evacuated them to the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri where two of the victims were certified dead by the doctors on duty.

    According to Ikeokwu, one of the victims Nkama Fred Eberechukwu was successfully revived, and currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

    He said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims, identified as students of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO) Owerri, might have suffocated as a result of the fume (carbon monoxide) which emanated from their power generating set, which they inhaled while sleeping, as the power generator was seen directly by the window in an enclosed space, and the fume discharging pipe pointing directly towards the window.

    However, he said the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Nasiru Mohammed has ordered an investigation into the matter, while efforts are ongoing to trace their relatives.

  • FUTO student arrested while trying to use colleague for ritual (video)

    A Biological Science student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, ( FUTO) has been arrested after an alleged failed attempt to use one of his colleagues for money ritual (Yahoo plus).
    The incident happened overnight at a hostel, Bliss Mansion, in Umuchima, Imo State. During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he decided to take the action so that his “Yahoo” involvement can start going smoothly.
    Recounting how he managed to survive, the victim, identified as Daniel, said:

    View this post on Instagram

    #FUTO student arrested while trying to use his colleague for ritual . . A Biological Science student of the Federal Univeristy of Technology, Owerri, ( FUTO) has been arrested after an alleged failed attempt to use one of his colleagues for money ritual (Yahoo plus). . . The incident happened overnight at a hostel, Bliss Mansion, in Umuchima, Imo State. During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he decided to take the action so that his “Yahoo” involvement can start going smoothly. . . Recounting how he managed to survive, the victim, identified as Daniel, said: “He called me, at night, appealing to me to allow him sleep over at my place and I sent him my address. . . When he arrived, he told me how he was arrested by the police. He said he doesn't want more troubles, so he decided to lie low at my place. . . Some minutes past 12:00am, he came to the bed telling me that the music I was playing was disturbing him because he hasn't slept for about two days. . . Suddenly he started chanting incarnations. I initially thought it was funny, until he started asking me why I haven't slept off yet. I told him I would sleep when the time comes, although secretly, I was praying. . . At 2:00am he started beating me up and when I was shouting, he told me that no one can hear my voice. I struggled with him for so long, destroying the properties in my room. . . At 2:30am, my lodge mates started coming to my rescue and by God's grace, I could open the door for them. He also told me that his plan was that in the morning, he would collect money.”

    A post shared by Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) on


    “He called me, at night, appealing to me to allow him sleep over at my place and I sent him my address.
    When he arrived, he told me how he was arrested by the police. He said he doesn’t want more Some minutes past 12:00am, he came to the bed telling me that the music I was playing was disturbing him because he hasn’t slept for about two days.
    Suddenly he started chanting incarnations. I initially thought it was funny, until he started asking me why I haven’t slept off yet. I told him I would sleep when the time comes, although secretly, I was praying.
    At 2:00am he started beating me up and when I was shouting, he told me that no one can hear my voice. I struggled with him for so long, destroying the properties in my room.
    At 2:30am, my lodge mates started coming to my rescue and by God’s grace, I could open the door for them. He also told me that his plan was that in the morning, he would collect money.”

  • FUTO expels six final year students for violent protest

    FUTO expels six final year students for violent protest

    The authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), have expelled six final year students of the institution for allegedly involving in a violent protest in the premises of the institution.

    The Registrar of the institution, John Nnabuihe, who disclosed this on Tuesday, in Owerri, said the Senate of the institution met a few days ago and approved of their expulsion.

    “Six of them have been expelled, including the former student leader. The Senate met and expelled them,” Nnabuihe said.

    Those affected were Collins Ogbonna (Fishery and Aquaculture Technology); Elvis Onuoha (Animal Science Technology); and Ebuka Odunze of Computer Science department.

    Others expelled as confirmed by Nnabuihe were Kenneth Mega (Prosthetics and Orthotics department); Nnamdi Madu and Collins Ugwu all of Optometry department.

    Meanwhile, in solidarity with the expelled students, according to The Guardian, we gathered that the students of the institution and other tertiary institutions across the country were allegedly planning to shut down academic and administrative activities in the FUTO on May 8 if the authorities of the institution fail to recall the expelled students.

    They demanded that the cause of the demonstration students held about two months ago be addressed rather than expelling students.

    Students had staged a violent demonstration at the school about two months ago to protest increase of certain fees and lack of some accommodation and basic amenities.

    Certain properties belonging to the institution were destroyed in the process.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francis Eze dismissed the allegation, stating that the institution, as a federal institution, does not charge school fees, noting that only negligible addition for the provision of WiFi was made as agreed between the student body, the authorities and the providers.