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Tag: Nnamdi Azikiwe

  • FG dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe varsity governing council

    FG dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe varsity governing council

    The Federal Government has ordered the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, over “grave breaches of the laws governing the university’’.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa gave the order in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, by Mrs Folashade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.

    Alausa said the dissolution was sequel to the Council’s disregard for lawful directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.

    “The decision comes after it was found that the Chairman of the Governing Council unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the position.

    “This led to a breakdown of law and order within the university community, causing tension and disharmony.

    “Urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration of the situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University as the illegal decisions taken by the Governing Council posed a significant risk of further destabilising the institution,’’ Alausa said.

    The Minister also announced the removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh, Vice-Chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved Council of the institution.

    “In accordance with the university’s founding act, an Acting Vice-Chancellor will be appointed, and a new governing council for the university will be constituted as soon as possible, to ensure proper governance and adherence to the law.

    “All these changes are with immediate effect. The step aligns with the federal government’s commitment to good governance, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in the nation’s educational institutions,” he said.

    In a related development, Alausa also announced the re-assigning of the Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of the Governing Councils of the Federal Universities Oye-Ekiti and Lokoja to enhance national cohesion and improve the governance of the institutions.

    “Following an approval by President Bola Tinubu, the swapping involves Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba being reassigned as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, while Engr. Kayode Ojo will assume the same role at the Federal University, Lokoja.

    “This change comes after it was noted that the current Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Kayode Ojo, is an indigene of Ekiti State.

    “As part of the Ministry’s commitment to promoting national integration and ensuring impartial oversight, it is the standard practice for Pro-Chancellors to be appointed from outside the state of the university.

    “This ensures unbiased governance and supports the core values of diversity and national unity,’’ he explained.

    Alausa emphasised that the reassignment was a step towards strengthening the leadership structure of Nigeria’s federal universities, ensuring that they operate under fair and inclusive governance.

    He said the changes were with immediate effect, adding that it would positively impact the effective administration and development of the universities, ultimately benefiting the Nigerian people.

  • Ugwuanyi inaugurates Nnamdi Azikiwe’s centre in Enugu

    Ugwuanyi inaugurates Nnamdi Azikiwe’s centre in Enugu

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Friday converted old Premier’s Lodge of the defunct Eastern Region to Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre for Historical Monument of Great Zik.

    Newsmen reports that the centre houses Zik’s interviews, showcase of his leadership qualities, exhibition of his life, scholarly awards, media releases in form of documentaries and movies as well as his dressing.

    Inaugurating the centre, Ugwuanyi said it was conceived to serve as a historical, educational, cultural and tourist monuments in honour of the late Zik.

    The governor, who described Zik as a scholar, foremost nationalist, an outstanding and inspirational leader, said he was pleased that his administration came up with the idea which started five years ago.

    He, however, emphasised the need for people to appreciate the past leaders for their contribution and efforts for the wellbeing of the country.

    The General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), Mr Chukwuemelie Agu, thanked the governor for remodeling the centre earlier earmarked for demolition.

    According to him, the place serves as official office of the Great Zik of Africa while the other side was his residential home known then as Premier Lodge.

    Agu said the centre would preserve the lyrics and history of the Premier of the then Eastern Region, and the corporation had placed high premium on preserving his relics such as shoes, eye glasses and cloths.

    “ESHDC is highly privileged and excited to be part of this memorable and historical project,” Agu said.

    Also, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, while thanking Ugwuanyi for not making the great works of Zik swept under carpet, said the centre would help to uphold the legacies of their son, Owelle of Onitsha.

    He stressed that the gesture was not ordinary, particularly in Nigeria where people easily forgot the efforts and suffering of past leaders.

    “Children coming behind us will not know about Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Okpara and others unless they visit centre like this to appreciate their efforts, legacies and philosophies.

    “With this, they will emulate their leadership principles and sense of humanity, so that in future more like them will emerge,” he said.

    Achebe, who lauded Federal Government for reintroducing History in school curriculum, said: “It is worst policy decision a nation can make by denying their people the knowledge of their history and place in the world.

    “It is a common knowledge that the most effective way to conquer a nation is not by physical arm like Russia, the real conquest is when you deny people the sense of their history, language and culture.

    “That was what Colonial Masters did to us but Zik and others fought for it but we Nigerians subsequently denied ourselves history.”

    Thanking Ugwuanyi on behalf of the family, the wife of Zik, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, said the family would not forget what the governor did for them.

    She said: “The centre is going to be a legacy project in Enugu and a centre where anybody visiting Enugu will come to see as well as tourists attraction for many.”

    Earlier, Zik’s son, Mr Uwakwe Azikiwe, said that Ugwuanyi conceptualised the ideal of immortalising his father by renovating the old Premier Lodge where Zik resided and worked as Premier of Eastern Region from 1954 to 1960.

    Uwakwe, who is the Special Adviser to Ugwuanyi on Special Duties, stressed that it was presented to them in 2016 and renovated by ESHDC.

    “There are sections for his personal life, independence, first and second republic, places named after him,” he added.

  • Angry passengers block boarding gate of Airport over flight delay

    Angry passengers block boarding gate of Airport over flight delay

    Some angry passengers on Monday blocked the boarding gate of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following a delay in their flights.

     

    According to TheNewsGuru.com, the passengers have been at the airport since Sunday night to catch flights to different destinations.

     

    As of 8:36 am passengers of Arik airline due for take-off at 7 pm on Sunday were still at the terminal ”without explanation from the flight workers or officials”.

     

    “They already had delayed it from 7 to 9pm yesterday. From 9:45 yesterday till now,” a passenger said.

     

    The passengers were said to have had an uncomfortable night at the airport as chairs within the airport served as mattresses for many of them.

     

    Recall that Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had announced the shutting of flight operations across the country.

     

    But the association later suspended its decision.

  • ‘You put us in this mess!’, angry youths burn Nnamdi Azikwe’s statue in Anambra

    ‘You put us in this mess!’, angry youths burn Nnamdi Azikwe’s statue in Anambra

    Angry youths have burnt the statue of a pioneer President of Nigeria the late Nnamdi Azikiwe in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The statue located at Denis Memorial Grammar School Roundabout, Awka Avenue, Onitsha, is known as Zik Roundabout.

    Some of the youths were heard saying while destroying the effigy “You put us in this mess by championing one Nigeria” and “You are the cause of our trouble.”

    In several parts of the country, hoodlums have since hijacked the #EndSARS protest, forcing states to declare curfew.

    Reacting to the incident, Victor Ononye a kinsman of Azikiwe said the mob action is uncalled for and heresy.

    “The Right Hon Dr Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, the first President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, must be expressing regrets wherever his spirit is, for attracting independence to Nigeria,” he said.