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Tag: UNN

  • UNN in stark darkness as EEDC cuts power supply

    UNN in stark darkness as EEDC cuts power supply

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company has disconnected the power supply to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka over a reported N172m electricity debt.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that the disconnection by EEDC took effect shortly after a new committee of the university management came on board on 19th of August, 2024.

    Some students of the varsity have lamented the lack of power supply since resumption.

    Students who spoke to Journalists on the condition of anonymity, said, “We resumed on the 16th of September. Before going on vacation, we used to have a regular power supply. This time around, it is a total power outage.

    “We want this matter to be resolved as soon as possible because when students are fully back, there may be protest.”

    Another student told the Whistler that, “This disconnection is affecting us terribly bad. We can’t read under this condition. Let the management settle this electricity matter. We are no longer enjoying our stay on campus.”

    According to reports, the new management paid the distribution company the sum of N72m part payment of the debt, but EEDC refused.

  • SAD: UNN first-year student found dead inside drainage

    SAD: UNN first-year student found dead inside drainage

    The management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has confirmed the tragic death of a first-year student of the institution whose lifeless body was found in a drainage on Friday, July 5.

    The deceased, who was identified as Favour Okenyi, from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, was found dead in a drainage near Akanu Ibiam Stadium, UNN.

    The university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Chief Okwun Omeaku, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Nsukka on Sunday.

    Omeaku said that the university community was shocked by the unfortunate death of the first year student.

    “UNN appeals for useful information that will aid  investigations and fish out perpetrator/s of the evil act,“ he said.

    The statement condoled the deceased family and said that the university authority was collaborating with security agencies and the family of the deceased to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death to prevent any recurrence.

    “The University  Community was shocked on Friday, July 5, by the distressing discovery of a lifeless body found in a drainage near Akanu Ibiam Stadium, UNN.

    “The University administration is deeply saddened by the loss of our student and extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased for the tragic death of such a promising young student.

    “The management is collaborating with security agencies and the family of the deceased to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death and in order prevent any potential recurrence of such incidents in the future,” the statement added.

  • UNN female student found dead with her vital organs missing

    UNN female student found dead with her vital organs missing

    A first year student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was found dead with some vital parts missing.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that the late medical student went missing on Tuesday after attending her chemistry practical, but was later found, inside a gutter beside the stadium, located inside the campus, close to Eni Njoku Hostel, occupied by male students on Friday.

    It was alleged that the corpse of the first year student of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences of the university, identified as Favour, was covered by flood debris, implying that the student might have been washed away by flood.

    “She was found dead on Friday,” according to a business owner inside the stadium. “The corpse was already decomposing. Her remains were evacuated to the UNN Medical Centre in the morning.”

    However, a student of the Faculty of Physical Science of the university, who identified himself as Paul, said, “She must have been killed by Yahoo Boys who are rampaging Nsukka now. They are exploiting our female students at Nsukka because these boys have too much money. They might have killed her, and used the gutter to cover their nefarious act. Our female students should learn that these boys driving exotic vehicles are looking for them for money rituals.”

    A pastor, James Itodo, said, “This is the end time we are talking about. This first year student might have fallen the victim of these boys who make money at all cost. I wouldn’t know what killed her, but where her corpse was found doesn’t convince me that flood caused her death. Her killers might have dumped her there as a cover-up.”

    The university is still yet to make an official statement on the dead as at the filing of this report.

    However, the university security department have confirmed that some vital parts of the deceased were removed.

    A security staff member of the university, on condition of anonymity, said, “Some vital parts of her body were cut off. So the corpse might have been kept in the gutter before the rainfall that flooded the corpse. But from every indication, her death won’t be unconnected with ritual killers.”

  • UNN inaugurates first Vaccine Research Center in Enugu

    UNN inaugurates first Vaccine Research Center in Enugu

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) on Tuesday inaugurated a Vaccine Research Centre (VRC) for the development of vaccines for diseases that disproportionately affect Nigeria and Africa.

    The centre is located at the Coal City Garden Estate in Enugu and equipped with funds from the United States National Health Institute and Belinda and Gates Foundation.

    Inaugurating the center, the UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe, expressed satisfaction that the center established in 2018 had eventually taken off having survived dormancy occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged industrial strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Igwe commended the Director of the center, Prof Silva Anika and his team for making the project a reality and pledged that the center would help in addressing tropical animal and human diseases in the country.

    In his remarks, Prof Anika said that the VRC would cater for training, research, development and production of vaccines for most endemic but neglected tropical human and animal diseases.

    Anika said that the centre would establish collaborative partnership with national and global units to become viable and international in outlook.

    The director disclosed that the research had received grants to work on the epidemiology and population genomics of African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in both human and animals which caused immense suffering and economic losses in the society.

    “Through partnerships with governments, international organizations and the private sector, we intend to translate these investigations into widespread programs that will save lives and improve livestock health and production.

    “This centre strengthens our university’s traditional role of solving the biggest challenges that face Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, through scientific inquiry and discovery.

    “It is also a major step towards self reliance in healthcare and I am confident that with the dedication of our researchers and support from all levels of government, this centre will achieve major breakthroughs that will improve human and animal health for generations to come,”.

    The emeritus professor, however, disclosed that the centre had attracted about $1 million US dollars worth of equipment many of which required steady power supply.

    Conducting the guests round the centre, a veterinarian and researcher, Dr Chinwe Chukwudi, said that the million dollar equipment could be used to diagnose many diseases including cancer through researches.

    Chukwudi, who attracted the grant, said the centre had began a pilot study on Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) known as sleeping sickness noting that the disease had become prevalent in the country.

    According to her, there is 10 per cent prevalence rate in a sampled population at a hospital at Nsukka in Enugu State.

    She said that 11 out of 184 samples representing six per cent were consistently positive in all assays done adding that the data suggested a high burden of undiagnosed and unreported clinical HAT cases in Nigeria.

    Chukwudi said that the mode of sustained transmission needed to be established.

    The veterinarian, encouraged medical students in various capacities to access the facility for their studies and sustainability of the centre.

    The event was attended by the former Vice Chancellor of the UNN, Prof Benjamin Ozurumba, Prof Paul Modum and representatives of the Enugu State Primary Health Agency among others.

    NAN

  • ASUU breaks silence as sex scandal rocks UNN

    ASUU breaks silence as sex scandal rocks UNN

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that the union would not oppose any sanction against the lecturer allegedly involved in sex scandal in a video trending in the social media.

    Dr Oyibo Eze, Chairperson of ASUU, University of Nigeria Nsukka, (UNN) said this in Nsukka on Tuesday while reacting to the alleged attempt by a lecturer in UNN to have sex with a female student in his office on Monday.

    “ASUU will not oppose any sanction if after investigations, the suspect is found guilty of allegation to have attempted to have sex with a female student in his office.

    “We should all know that every action has its consequences,” he said.

    He said that ASUU condemned the alleged act by the lecturer identified as Mr. David Udom-Udom of the Social Science Unit, School of General Studies (GS) of the UNN.

    “I saw the trending video of the alleged act yesterday and this morning I went  to GS department and confirmed the incident in the viral video on Monday.

    “Lecturers should see students as their children by displaying high sense of discipline, morality and avoid asking sex for mark.

    “It is condemnable and that is what happens when a dog eats the bone hung on its neck.

    “Our job as lecturers is to teach students not to harass them sexually,” he said.

    Reacting to the incident, Comrade Enoch Utazi, the President, Students Union Government (SUG) of the UNN, also condemned the alleged act by Udom to have sex with a student for mark.

    Utazi said SUG would follow the matter to its logical conclusion to ensure that the affected randy lecturer was punished according to rules and regulations of the university.

    “SUG will ensure this randy lecturer is punished to serve as deterrent to others who exploit female students sexually in order to give them mark,” Utazi said.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Chris Alumona, the Chief Security Officer of  UNN, when contacted, confirmed the incident and said that the randy lecturer Udom-Udom had been arrested and handed over to the police.

    Alumona said his office acted on tip-off from UNN Department of Students Affairs on what was happening on Monday in Udom’s office.

    UNN suspends lecturer over alleged sexual harassment

    Meanwhile, management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has suspended indefinitely its Mr David Udo-Udom, the lecturer, allegedly involved in sexual harassment of a female student.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Okwun Omeaku, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Nsukka.

    According to Omeaku, the indefinite suspension is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a Disciplinary Panel constituted by the university to investigate the incident.

    He said the affected lecturer, who is of the General Studies division, was allegedly caught in a video harassing a female student.

    The PRO said that the UNN had a zero tolerance for sexual misconducts involving either staff members or students.

    “UNN is among the few universities in the country that has a sexual harassment policy, which guides the relationship between our staff and students.

    “As a university, we are committed to protecting our students from any form of abuse and exploitation.

    ”The university management will not hesitate to punish Udoudom , according to our rules, if he is found guilty by our disciplinary panel,” he said.

  • UNN suspends lecturer seen in viral video harrasing female student

    UNN suspends lecturer seen in viral video harrasing female student

    Mr Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies division at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student has been suspended by the management of the institution.

    Recall  that the lecturer was caught pants down on Monday while allegedly trying to have a sexual affair with a female student in exchange for grade.

    In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday and signed by Okwun Omeaku, Acting Public Relations Officer of the UNN, states that the university has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct.

    The statement reads, “The indefinite suspension is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel constituted by the University to investigate the incident.

    “For the records, the University of Nigeria has a zero tolerance for sexual misconducts involving our staff and students.

    “UNN is among the few universities in the country that has a Sexual Harassment Policy, which guides the relationship between our staff and students in particular and among our male and female staff.

    “As a university, we are committed to protecting our students from any form of abuse and exploitation, and the University Management will not hesitate to punish Mr Mfonobong David Udoudom, according to our rules if he is found guilty by our disciplinary panel.”

  • UNN gets new Students Union Govt

    UNN gets new Students Union Govt

    Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has urged Enoch Utazi, the new Students Union Government (SUG) President of the university, to emulate the  good performance of his immediate predecessor, Micheal Abuchi.

    Igwe said this in Nsukka on Wednesday during the inauguration of new UNN SUG executives, elected on October 31, and projects executed by the outgone Abuchi administration.

    He said that the administration of Abuchi remains the best in the history of UNN-SUG because of his good relationship with management and adequate attention to students welfare

    He commended Abuchi for erecting two buildings in the campus in strategic locations that contained 10 toilet facilities each, buying two sienna vehicles to convey physically challenged students to lectures, and offering scholarship to some indigent students.

    “This is the first time we are seeing this kind of achievements from SUGs in this university, the story of SUG in UNN will be incomplete without mentioning the administration of Abuchi.

    “The management is happy with the Abuchi-led SUG and will like the newly- inaugurated administration of Utazi to emulate his good performance.

    “The Sienna buses for physical challenged students will go a long way to end suffering encounter by them in going to lectures and other things.

    He reminded the new SUG executives that their aim of coming to the university was academics and should not allow their involvement in students unionism to undermine their academic performance.

    “I charge the new SUG executives to be serious with their academics, be role models to other students and agents of positive change,” he said.

    The VC commended Prof. Edwin Omeje, the dean of students affairs, for dedication to duty as well as ensuring that SUG elections were transparent, credible, free and fair by using biometric election.

    “My administration will continue to give infrastructures, staff and students’ welfares a priority,” Igwe promised.

    In a remark, Omeje applauded the VC for his non-intervention and non-involvement in the SUG electoral process which had shown him as true father and democrat.

    “The VC ensures that those appointed as members of the University of Nigeria Electoral Commission (UNECO) are men and women of proven integrity and character.

    “This is the fourth time UNN is using biometric to conduct SUG elections and all have free and fair, an indication that UNN can conduct national election in the country with ease.

    “I remind all executives inaugurated today that to whom much is given much is expected, you must be fair in all your dealings.

    “You should always know that corruption destroys both the leaders and the governed, so see corruption as a leprous cancer that must be avoided at all costs,” he said.

    Speaking, Abuchi thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his fatherly care and his interest in the welfare of the students, noting that he was able to achieve what he achieved because of support, and enabling environment provided for him by the VC.

    “I thank, in a special way, the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Student Affairs, and other principal officers for their advice.

    “It was their support and advice that motivated me and my team in undertaking and completing some projects, as well as maintaining peace and order among students in the campus,” he said.

    In his acceptance speech, Utazi promised that his administration would give students’ welfare priority as well as maintain good relationship with the university management.

    The highlights of the occasion were the inauguration of the new SUG Executives as well as the inauguration of projects executed by the Abuchi-led administration by the Vice-Chancellor.

  • Nigeria failing to build a truly united nation – Ooni of Ife

    Nigeria failing to build a truly united nation – Ooni of Ife

    His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife has expressed worry that Nigeria can be said to be less united as it was at Independence.

    Oba Ogunwusi stressed that from recent developments across the country, it can be said Nigeria is failing in the attempt to build a truly united nation.

    The Oba, who is Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said this on Saturday, during the 51st convocation ceremony of the institution.

    Speaking during the ceremony for for the award of Postgraduate degrees, Diplomas and conferment of honorary degrees, the Ooni of Ife urged graduates and those conferred to be good ambassadors of the institution.

    He urged them not to relent as the ambassadors of the university in sustaining the good reputations the university had earned over the years.

    “I urge all the graduates and honorary awardees never to relent in being good ambassadors of this great university wherever they found themselves.

    “UNN as the first university in the country, our graduates are expected to live up to our name and reputation in restoring the dignity of man.

    “To the honorary awardees, the recognition given to you today by the university should spur you to greater heights to do more to the university as well as render more selfless service to humanity,” he said.

    The Chancellor urged Nigerians to see the task of uniting the country as everybody’s responsibility.

    “It worries me and other patriotic Nigerians that our country can be said to be less united as it was at independence.

    “From recent developments across the country, I wish to remind us that we are failing in our attempt to build a truly united nation.

    “As graduates we are proud to have been in a school like this where you have classmates, roommates, and friends from different parts of the country and the world.

    “You have a duty to teach others that we are the same people irrespective of the tiny differences in our culture, religious or mother tongue,” he said

    He commended Prof. Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the UNN, and the management for their commitment and dedication in ensuring that they sustained the dreams and visions of the founding fathers of the university and urged them to keep it up.

    Speaking, Igwe said that this convocation ceremony was dedicated to the award of Postgraduate degrees and honorary degrees, which, according to him, marked the grand finale of the 51st convocation ceremony of the institution.

    “Some 1,548 postgraduate degrees and Diplomas were awarded at the convocation.

    “This is made up of 519 degrees, 934 Master’s degrees and 95 Postgraduate diplomas.

    “I congratulate the graduates for earning the postgraduate degree or diploma of this great university, which have elevated you to the elite club of alumni who hold a postgraduate qualification of the University. It is an achievement that you should be proud of,” he said.

    The VC, who used the ceremony to share some of the recent developments at the University, noted that the institution had remained competitive and had continued to re-invent itself in spite of the challenges of inadequate and ageing infrastructures facing the first generation university.

    “We have continued to strive to retain the reputation of excellence for which we have been known over years. Our staff have been quite productive, not only in teaching, research and innovation, but also in community service.

    “Our university is also a beneficiary of a good number of projects from capital allocation, NEEDS assessment and TETFund intervention.

    “In spite of all these, UNN is in dire need of support from friends and alumni as the university is worse hit by the prevailing economic conditions in the country,” he said.

    According to the VC, the Doctor of Public Administration degree would be conferred on Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, former Inspector General of Police, while Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, would be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration degree

    Igwe also said that Prof Virginia Dike, Prof. Eunice Okeke of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Martin Aghaji of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Prof. Daniel Obikeze, Prof. Azuka Dike, Prof. Timothy Nwala, and Prof Emmanuel Chinwokwu of the Faculty of The Social Sciences were elevated to the status of Professor Emeritus of UNN.

  • Admission Racketeering: JAMB points accusing fingers at UNN

    Admission Racketeering: JAMB points accusing fingers at UNN

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) of engaging in  admission racketeering.

    According to JAMB, the decision of the Senate to probe alleged admission racketeering in universities, would vindicate it.

    The upper chamber had, last week, agreed to investigate allegations of admission racketeering in the nations ivory tower, after senator Onyeka Nwebonyi representing  Ebonyi North raised the motion on the floor of the Senate.

    Nwebonyi, who cited admission travails of one Chinyere Ekwe at UNN, alleged that university staff conspired with JAMB officials to carry out unwholesome practices, prompting the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to call for a fair hearing, saying JAMB was known to be a reputable institution.

    In his reaction, the registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, commended the Senate for giving opportunity to the exam body to defend itself over the issue.

    Oloyede clarified that the affected candidate sat for the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), where she scored 291.

    He said the girl, who applied to study Medicine and Surgery at UNN, was in 241 position in the ranking of applicants for the medical programme in the university after all her other academic performances, including post-UTME score, were calculated by the institution.

    “Seeing the reality of the ranking, this lady did not apply to change her course, but the university decided she change her to Medical Laboratory. A proposal was made to her and she accepted the Medical Laboratory in writing, and the institution then recommended her for admission into Medical Laboratory. We knew that she could not have been taken for Medicine because that year the university admitted more than the approved number.”

    While saying that the university admitted above its given departmental quota in Medical Laboratory and was told to reduce the number, Oloyede said it was discovered that many other applicants, who were admitted ‘under the table’ (illegally) scored above her.

    “Till today, the lady has no approval letter from JAMB neither for Medicine nor Medical Laboratory. And if she is doing Medical Laboratory, she is doing it in an arrangement between her and the institution,” Oloyede said.

    He, however, said the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) of JAMB detected issue with the admission, having ranked in distant 241 position, which made her stand no chance to be admitted.

    The JAMB boss further disclosed that the university ought to have followed all procedures of admitting candidates starting from ensuring that the confirm with the quota allocated to them and ranking order, which was ignored in this case.

    “The truth of the matter is that if she has a letter of provisional admission, it is not from JAMB. So, we welcome the wise counsel of the Senate president that the matter be investigated. We will cooperate with the Senate,” Oloyede added.

  • Kidnapped UNTH doctor escapes from abductors’ den

    Kidnapped UNTH doctor escapes from abductors’ den

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed the escape of an abducted resident doctor, Dr Orockarrah Orock attached to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

    It was learnt that Orock attached to the Anasthesia Department of the UNTH was on Saturday night kidnapped within the hospital premises, while on call duty.

    The Chairman of NMA, Enugu State Chapter, Dr Celestine Ugwoke, gave the confirmation in Enugu on Monday.

    Ugwoke said that Orock miraculously made his escape after the kidnappers felt satisfied with the offer to pay the ransom demanded by his wife and gone to have “nice time with their weeds and spirits and fell into deep sleep”.

    According to him, the abducted doctor gradually crawled away from the spot he was kept in the kidnappers’ den and later trekked and ran a distance before sighting human activities and then came out near the Four Corner Junction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    “He called his wife and the wife called the UNTH chief security officer that picked him up that midnight of Saturday. We are profoundly grateful to God for his miraculous escape,” he said.

    The chairman, however, said that doctors had become endangered professionals in the state, as kidnappers always target them especially those working in tertiary health institutions in the state.

    “We are really in trouble as doctors are now their target and we are living in fear as the kidnappers now chase us as if they are chasing rats,” he said.

    The chairman said that any more abduction of any doctor in UNTH again, doctors in the teaching hospital would totally down tools adding that this warning would be extended to other tertiary hospitals in the state.

    Ugwoke said that the association would be meeting with the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UNTH to mandate him to release security protocol for the hospital, to ensure safety of all doctors, management staff, staff and patients in the hospital.

    “We also want the hospital management to beef up security within the hospital, ensure adequate perimeter fencing of the entire hospital and installation of Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) and its monitoring base within the hospital.

    “As an association, we have previously met the state’s Commissioner for Health and the Commissioner of Police on the spate of insecurity our members face even in the discharge of their life-saving professional duties.

    “All efforts through official letters and other means to pay a courtesy call on Gov. Peter Mbah and intimate him on the vital issue of doctors’ security in the state had proved abortive.

    “Maybe, the government wants doctors to leave their duty posts and carry placards to the Enugu Government House before listening to us. This will be very bad, if allowed to drag to this point,” he said.

    Efforts made to get the Spokesperson for Enugu State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, to speak on the matter proved abortive as he did not pick several calls made to his cellphone.