BOKO HARAM KILLS EMIR OF GWOZA

Reports reaching DailyPost from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital reveals that, the Islamic Militants, Boko Haram who were earlier said to have abducted two Borno rulers have killed the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrisa Timta while the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza is said to be in their custody. It was earlier said that the two traditional rulers were seized at gun point by the Insurgents at about 10 am on Friday, along Garkida, Hawul road where a report said, there was ongoing battle between the insurgents and the Nigerian military. The two rulers were said to be on their way to Gombe to commiserates with the families of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, who died on Tuesday evening at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London where he was said to have undergone operation for cancer.

BOKO HARAM KILLS EMIR OF GWOZA

Reports reaching DailyPost from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital reveals that, the Islamic Militants, Boko Haram who were earlier said to have abducted two Borno rulers have killed the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrisa Timta while the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza is said to be in their custody. It was earlier said that the two traditional rulers were seized at gun point by the Insurgents at about 10 am on Friday, along Garkida, Hawul road where a report said, there was ongoing battle between the insurgents and the Nigerian military. The two rulers were said to be on their way to Gombe to commiserates with the families of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, who died on Tuesday evening at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London where he was said to have undergone operation for cancer.

UNIZIK new VC, Ahaneku receives appointment letter, Pledges to move institution to greater heights

The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku has been issued a letter of appointment by the governing council of the institution, amidst protest by one of his closest rival, Prof Greg Nwakoby. The spokesperson of the institution, and Director of Information, Mr Emma Ojukwu disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing in Awka. Ojukwu who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the governing council of the university, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan said the issuance of the letter followed the successful emergence of Ahaneku as the new Vice Chancellor after a rigorous selection process that ended in election. Ojukwu dismissed allegations that the chairman of the council demanded gratification from him after he was adjudged to have scored the highest mark in the interview segment of the process. He said that Nwakoby only scored highest in the interview segment out of five other segments that constitute the process of selecting a vice chancellor. “He intentionally leaked the result of that segment to the press and started shouting of bias when it dawned on him that he may not win the race. There are several other segments, suppose the candidates that scored highest in teach segment went to the press to say they won, there would have been anarchy. I want to state categorically clear that the allegations of bias, demand of bribe and others are very baseless, malicious and false. The chairman of the university governing council board is a man of integrity who can not be influenced in anyway.” Ojukwu said. Meanwhile, the leadership of the academic staff Union of Universities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, led by Prof Ike Odimegwu has paid a courtesy call to the new vice chancellor, pledging to work with him to move the institution forward. Odimegwu who spoke for the union during the call commended Ahaneku for his sterling performance and popularity among the voters, which won him the position of the Vice Chancellor above 34 other candidates that indicated interest. “We are here to show solidarity to the incoming Vice Chancellor for the safe conclusion of the process that led to his appointment as the VC. We want to assure you that our union is the only trade union that does not fight for the betterment of its members but for the enthronement of quality university education in Nigeria. “You have the challenge to correct the ills of our university system and to move this university to become the number one university in Nigeria, or at best to number two where we used to be. You must ensure that UNIZIK is an institution to be counted in African and even in the world. We will help you in this dream, but we will also fight you where you derail.” Odimegwu said. On his part, the new Vice Chancellor assured that he has come restore the glory of the university. He reminded that Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe whom the university is named after is known for excellence. He vowed to strive to keep the excellent spirit that is burning in the university. “Rt Hon Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first president of Nigeria, so everything that is associated with him should be first. I will ensure that the university becomes the first in the country by restoring excellence in it,” he said. Ahaneku will officially resume work in office as the new Vice Chancellor on 4th June, as the current Vice Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka will leave on the 3rd. END.

Ex-Gov Obi Visits Akunyili, confirms progress

Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, is presently in India on a visit to see former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who is receiving treatment in the country. A release by Mr Isaac Umunna, Akunyili's publicict stated that Mr. Obi left for India Monday in company of his media aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem. He said the two men confirmed in a message from India that Prof. Akunyili is responding to treatment and that her situation is nothing near the scary picture being painted by rumour mongers. Umunna also said that Prof. Dora Akunyili’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, confirmed to him on phone this morning that Messrs Obi and Obienyem are with them in the hospital. "We are very happy to see them. We are even happier that they have volunteered to spend the entire day with us before returning home to Nigeria,” Dr. Akunyili said. He also expressed appreciation to Nigerians, saying: “We can never thank Nigerians enough; their prayers are working.” Umunna also included an e-mail sent him by Obi's media Aide, Valentine Obienyem which reads; “Brother Isaac, I am sending this mail from the hospital where our beloved Prof. Dora Akunyili is being treated. At the moment, her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, Mr. Peter Obi and the team of Doctors treating her are rubbing minds. “While Doctors at the Indian hospital are explaining what they are doing and how tremendously she has improved; Dr. Chike Akunyili thanked them for their commitment to duty. He also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the outpouring of love showered on his wife. Mr. Obi emphasised the need for Indians to come and set up facilities in Nigeria and for Nigerian Doctors to also show commitment to expanding the health facilities in Nigeria through strategic investment. Though the Doctors said they come to the country now and then, they agreed on the need to consider what Obi said seriously. They promised to keep communications open. “Obi thanked God for the tremendous improvement of Prof. Akunyili and said the reality he saw was the direct opposite of the grim picture some people painted about her condition. He prayed to God to grant her total healing. “In Nigeria, it is common for Nigerians to express secret and sometimes open excitement whenever any highly placed Nigerian suffer. They see it as delayed punishment for the iniquities they foisted on the nation. Prof. Dora Akunyili is different. Since the news of her sickness was broken, the entire nation has been crying and praying for her to be healed. Even on social networks, you see people’s writings dripping with tears for a woman who showed the nation what service in the truest sense of the word means. “Nigerians as a people suffer from forgetfulness that is inexplicable. We forget people’s deeds so easily. Again, Dora is different. The pervasiveness of her good work ensured that it is etched permanently in the psyches of our people. Who in Nigeria today has forgotten the trauma – attacks upon attacks – that Dora was faced with simply for doing what was best for Nigeria and humanity? “I understand that since being in the hospital, Nigerians in India have turned the hospital into a Mecca of sort. Daily they visit to pray for her recovery. I understand that the Nigerian Ambassador to India came calling yesterday. “Meanwhile, Mr. Obi and the team of Doctors are discussing many subjects. Having finished with health, the secret of the development of the health institution and the part the Government is playing, he is busy asking them the secret of the development of Karnataka, the State in India, where Bangalore city/town is located. He wants to know the secret behind the development in infrastructure, education, social services, among others as to compare note with what are witnessed in Nigeria.”

Profile of Ahmad Salkida, a Nigerian Journalists known to be the only civilian with access to Boko Haram Leader, Abubarkar Shekau

I am from Biu local government area in what is now the troubled Borno state. I grew up in that peaceful and homogenous part of Nigeria. I was born a christian from a christian family, and as a young primary school pupil in the early 80′s I would sneak into gardens and climb Mango or cashew trees while my mates were in school. To me then, the school system was an infringement on my understanding of personal liberty. I feel, if someone has the capacity to learn in a few months or years why subject the person to six (6) years primary school, six (6) years secondary education and four (4) years in the university. However, I read many of my mother’s novels. She had hundreds if not thousands of books. I managed to go to several schools to please my parents but I ended up not writing the secondary school leaving exams. But I was a teacher to many of my friends and peers at the time, and I helped dozens of graduates with their final year project work. I knew within me that I can be a good writer, a good researcher and a good investigative journalist but that was tantamount to wishing for the impossibility since everyone had to go to school to achieve that. I also had an obsession to leave Nigeria to Europe or America to live my dreams at a very early age. In the 90′s, when my mates were in the university, I was briefly a Marxist, a free thinker and in 1997 I finally embraced the Islamic faith on my own volition. At that time I had two (2) completed manuscripts which my mentor, late Dr. Jibrin Bala Mohammed, an associate professor in journalism encouraged me to write. In early 2000 I moved to Abuja with the hope that I could get a publisher for my books. I was sent out of my relative’s house because they feared that I could convert their son to Islam. So I got a job as a night guard in Wuse zone 2. In the night I worked as ‘Mai guard’ while in the day time I was called a brilliant and aspiring writer. It was at that point that I met Obiora Chukwumba through Uche Ezechukwu, two wonderful Igbo gentlemen and one of Nigeria ‘s finest set of journalists that I always remain thankful to. Obiora, the pioneer managing editor of Insider Weekly Magazine gave me my first job in February 2001 as a reporter, after a few reporting assignments I did for Uche. I did not present the usual smart curriculum vitae; mine was just a Primary School Certificate but Obiora believed that information that is unique and refreshing from someone like me was more valuable than the frequent parading of cute ivory tower diplomas that offer so much ego and polish with no substance. I worked as a reporter for several newspapers in Abuja and Maiduguri. I didn’t have a degree like many of my colleagues therefore I could not afford to wait for press releases and interviews. I was always looking for scoops or doing my development reporting to survive the competition with graduates in the news room. I was trained most especially by Obiora that every major news outbreak frequently starts as a signal which is most often ignored, sometimes even by acclaimed journalist. As a reporter for Uche Ezechukwu’s New Sentinel in 2006 I pleaded with Emmanual Yawe, the managing editor to see the news value of my first interview with late Mohammed Yusuf. I was eager to tell the world the influence he was having on thousands of youths in the area. Two parents had earlier approached me in my area to talk to their kids about their new found obsession with the teachings of late Mohammed Yusuf that made many youths to abandon school or resign from civil service etc. I was seen by many, though not as a role model for education, but for hard work and commitment to whatever I set to achieve in life. I began to write exclusively on the sect and painstakingly built and developed a network of invaluable sources within the group.

UNIZIK VCship tussle: Presidency accused of influencing process - Youths vow to force a change through protest - Institution’s management sticks to gun

The last has not been heard of the race for the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as a new twist has suggested that a top shot from the presidency had at the last minute summoned the Chairman of the governing council of the university, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan to the villa, where the result of the selection process was upturned to favour Prof Joe Ahaneku as the winner. An aggrieved candidate, Prof Greg Nwakoby who was earlier announced as the winner of the Vice Chancellorship position by radio and television announcement while briefing the press last Tuesday in Awka stated that he had beat all the eight candidate shortlisted for the race, and wondered why he was removed. Nwakoby who is deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and a Professor of law in the University said that he is very qualified for the position of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, and that he was not surprised that out of the 34 persons that indicated interest for the job, he was among the nine shortlisted for the position. He spoke further that the whole process has ab initio has been teleguided by an unseen hand, leading to his loss of trust in both the shortlist committee and the governing council. He stated that the selection process took two parts, the first being the screening of certificates, publications and academic qualifications, while the second was interviews, and that he was sure he performed creditably in all the sections; the reason he came tops on the list. An executive summary sheet for result generated from the exercise which was handed to our reporter by Nwakoby, stated that he garnered a total vote of 89.65 percent to come tops, and was followed closely by Prof Ahaneku with 80.65 percent. According to Nwakoby, he had obtained the result from the chairman of the council, Koinyan, who also congratulated him after the interview session, but quickly added that he should know that victory comes with a cost and price, a statement he said he never understood until later. After the interview which ended at about 5am on 24th May, Nwakoby said they were told the council was going to meet to announce the result officially, but they waited for several hours but the meeting was called off by the chairman of the council who emerged and announced that he has been summoned by a presidency top official. “I followed him, asking what the problem was, he told me he has been summoned in Abuja, but that I should be rest assured that I had won the race. He handed me a copy of the result sheet and congratulated me. He also added to me that I should also know that victory comes with a cost and price, but I did not understand what he meant.” Nwakoby told journalists. He added further that on Monday, the chairman of the shortlist committee, Bala Buhari called him to tell him that other candidates who he beat were already coming to them with cash, and that they would remove his name if he refused t come and see them. “They demanded for me to raise N30million each for the chairman and another member, Senator Fidelis Okoro. I told them I didn’t have such money, and that was sure I won. Later we heard that there was going to be voting again, even though there was no tie, and they told me they were going to vote against me if I did not come to see them. “John Nwodo is supposed to be a member of the governing council, but he has not been coming to meetings, so it was in Abuja that they appointed Ben Ndu as a replacement for John Nwodo, for the sole purpose of voting against me. So my question is, if they want to go by voting, why subject us to the selection process?” He asked. Nwakoby queried what was special about Nnamdi Azikiwe University that the presidency should show open interest in installing the Vice Chancellor? He added that other federal universities have had their appointment of Vice Chancellors peacefully, and that of Nnamdi Azikiwe University should not be marred by pecuniary interest. He said he has served the university since 1995, and has held several positions in the institution, and is also a lawyer and professor of law, so he was no push over, and will not let the decision to install Ahaneku to prevail. “I am asking the President to dissolve this governing council because they have enmeshed themselves in corruption. I will fight this injustice through legal means and ensure that this does not stand. Reacting also, the acting chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Chibuzor Ekwenye in a press briefing also called on the governing council to rescind its decision to foist Prof Ahaneku on the institution, saying that failure to do so will mean attracting the wrath of the youths. “We are interested parties in the race, when a matter concerns about 5million youths, the National Youth Council should be interested because the fate of that number of youths is going to be in the hand of the Vice Chancellor. “We are giving them 24 hours to reverse that decision and announce Prof Nwakoby who won the election through the approved selection process. Failure to do so, we will take to the street; call it protest, call it demonstration, call it riot if you wish, but that is what we will do. Meanwhile, the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University through its Public Relations Officer, Dr Emma Ojukwu has called their bluff, and has gone ahead to announce that the institution has appointed a new VC. A statement released by Ojukwu reads, “After an exhaustive process, the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka headed by Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Rtd) has appointed a Professor of Chemical Pathology and Fellow, Academy of Science, Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the University. “Professor Ahaneku takes over from Prof. Boniface C. E. Egboka who will vacate office on June 3, 2014. Until his appointment Prof. Ahaneku had served under Prof. Egboka's administration as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for four years. In a letter signed by the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor AVM Larry Koinyan (Rtd) on behalf of the Governing Council, Prof. Ahaneku will serve for 5years. A native of Mbaise in Imo State, Professor Ahaneku has served the University for 24 years in different capacities culminating in this most recent appointment.”

More confusion in UNIZIK as contrary announcement of new VC surfaces

THIS IS A STATEMENT FROM THE INSTITUTION'S SPOKES MAN. Nnamdi Azikiwe University appoints new VC After an exhaustive process, the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka headed by Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Rtd) has appointed a Professor of Chemical Pathology and Fellow, Academy of Science, Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the University. Professor Ahaneku takes over from Prof. Boniface C. E. Egboka who will vacate office on June 3, 2014. Until his appointment Prof. Ahaneku had served under Prof. Egboka's administration as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for four years. In a letter signed by the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor AVM Larry Koinyan (Rtd) on behalf of the Governing Council, Prof. Ahaneku will serve for 5years. A native of Mbaise in Imo State, Professor Ahaneku has served the University for 24 years in different capacities culminating in this most recent appointment. The University Community wishes Professor Ahaneku a successful tenure. Emmanuel C. Ojukwu Director, Information and Public Relations Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

UNIZIK lecturers may go on strike over choice of VC - accuse Pro-Chancellor of bias

Trouble is looming in Nnamdi Azikiwe University(NAU), Awka again, with allegation of bias in the election process of a vice chancellor for the university. Aggrieved stakeholders of the institution have dismissed the selection process for the university's vice chancellorship position,  alleging that it has been heavily compromised. The institution had last year, December announced a vacancy for the position of the vice chancellor, following the expiration of the second term of Prof Boniface Egboka, calling on interested applicants to fill the position. In a press briefing on Monday, the chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), NAU branch, Prof Ike Odimegwu protested the purported announcement  of Prof Greg Nwakoby as the eventual winner of the race, saying that the election remains inconclusive. Odimegwu said that the protest of the union is hinged on the purported jettisoning of the Federal Ministry of Education template for the appointment of vice chancellors, rectors and provosts, which the governing council of the University had earlier accepted to use. He said that the earlier acceptance of the Template had given the union hope that the process would be fair, but the jettisoning of it by the shortlist committee, with the council chairman, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan interfering and adjusting marks for the candidates was surprising. "Immediately the shortlist committee started work, the fair play promise died. The council chairman himself interrupted the proceedings of the committee severally, introducing extraneous issues and criteria, tele-guiding the committee, ordering marks and scores adjustment. "This generally rendered the shortlist report grossly compromised. We wrote the council chairman bidding them to keep the template they adopted, and even suggested that the process be video-taped to ensure transparency and restore confidence, but it is unfortunate that he has shown a penchant for not replying to letters or even acknowledging receipt." Odimegwu lamented. Odimegwu said that his union gathered that two Senate members who are part of the committee rejected the template, with the chairman giving in to their demand to use other criteria, which he said were propelled by compromise. Though he did not state what action ASUU will take in the eventual refusal to rescind the decision to foist Prof Nwakoby on them, but insisted that, "we know what we will do when we get there". Odimegwu insisted that the process was inconclusive,  as the  committee simply emerged from an all night interview of the candidates last Saturday with rumours of a VC having emerged, without presenting their report to the council as is supposed. He stated that the selection has been marred by patent corruption, just as the role of the chairman of the committee who is also the Chairman of council has not been honourable. He also called on the federal government to seriously consider the appointment of the Pro Chancellor, AVM Koinyan to the council of the university. Also, the management of the institution through the PRO, Dr Emma Ojukwu has also called on the public to disregard announcements that a VC has emerged for the university. A statement by Ojukwu stated that the process is inconclusive. Meanwhile, the governing council of the university has insistently sponsored radio and television advertorials, stating that Prof Greg Nwakoby has emerged as the new VC of the institution. A source however told out correspondent that lecturers in the institution under the aegis of ASUU would embark on an indefinite strike if the council did not reverse their position. Though Odimegwu refused to say what the union will do if the council refused to rescind its decision, the source said that plans are in the offing to ground activities in the university if they insisted.

Chibok girls: last minute phone call stops swap of Boko Haram prisoners for girls

President Goodluck Jonathan nearly struck a deal with members of the Boko Haram sect for the release of over 200 abducted schoolgirls taken away on April 14, but for a change of mind at the eleventh hour. UK Mail reported at the weekend that the Nigerian leader backed out of the deal after his peers at the recent summit in Paris, capital city of France, sternly warned him of the dangers of such move. According to them, captive-students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state can be rescued through force by combined local and foreign security forces, But the cancellation is said to have enraged Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau and now puts the girls’ lives in greater danger. An intelligence source told The Mail on Sunday says “the next video we may see from the terrorists could show the girls being killed one by one.” Shekau, DailyPost gathered, had agreed to bring the girls out of their forest camps in the remote north-east of the country in the early morning and take them to a safe location for the prisoner swap. “They would have been dropped off in a village, one group at a time, and left there while their kidnappers disappear. There was to be a signal to a mediator at another location to bring in the prisoners,” the source said. Although, about 2,000 Boko Haram members are currently detained, one hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed.

Chibok girls: last minute phone call stops swap of Boko Haram prisoners for girls

President Goodluck Jonathan nearly struck a deal with members of the Boko Haram sect for the release of over 200 abducted schoolgirls taken away on April 14, but for a change of mind at the eleventh hour. UK Mail reported at the weekend that the Nigerian leader backed out of the deal after his peers at the recent summit in Paris, capital city of France, sternly warned him of the dangers of such move. According to them, captive-students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state can be rescued through force by combined local and foreign security forces, But the cancellation is said to have enraged Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau and now puts the girls’ lives in greater danger. An intelligence source told The Mail on Sunday says “the next video we may see from the terrorists could show the girls being killed one by one.” Shekau, DailyPost gathered, had agreed to bring the girls out of their forest camps in the remote north-east of the country in the early morning and take them to a safe location for the prisoner swap. “They would have been dropped off in a village, one group at a time, and left there while their kidnappers disappear. There was to be a signal to a mediator at another location to bring in the prisoners,” the source said. Although, about 2,000 Boko Haram members are currently detained, one hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed.

how fulani magician took our penises - victim recounts

What usually sounds like a fairy tale turned out to be true for Bello Mustapha, a 23-year-old apprentice in a ‘Suya’ stall in Awka. According to Mustapha, he lost his manhood to a man he had all the while treated as a brother. Bello, who recounted his ordeal and that of six of his friends to DailyPost said it was a day he would never forget in a hurry. “It was last Sunday, and as usual, we were at our stand at UNIZIK junction so that we can prepare Suya early enough because of market boom on Sundays. We were all busy when the man walked up to us. “You know, here in Awka, we usually do not discriminate against our brothers, once you are a northerner, here in Awka, the people regard us as Hausa people, so a certain Fulani man walked up to us to make enquiries. “As we directed him on the enquiries he made, we did not know that he had plans to take our manhood”. Bello, who narrated further to our reporter said that “as soon as the Fulani man left, six of us, including a vulcanizer, an Igbo man, started feeling pains between our legs; we then observed that our manhood had disappeared. “We started looking for the Fulani man because we suspected him; when we found him, he denied. “On further interrogation, he accepted that he was the one who did it; he was about to make demands from us before a crowd which had gathered started beating him”. When asked if his entire manhood disappeared, Bello said that the region housing his penis was totally devoid of anything, and that a look at the region would almost make one think they were females. He added that they had peppery feelings in the area which made most of them cry like babies. An eyewitness, Mr Geoffrey, who operates a fast food centre around the area said the Fulani man had first approached him, but because he was not speaking English fluently, he found it difficult to understand him. “It was after he left my shop that we heard the Hausa boys and the vulcanizer raising alarm that their manhood had been removed by the Fulani man. “By the time we got to the place, a crowd had already beaten up the Fulani man, and I think someone called the police to avoid killing him”, Geoffrey said. Meanwhile, Bello stated that for him and his friends, they followed the man to the police station where he was interrogated by police officers and persuaded to return their manhood. “It was not until the next day that my penis came back, and I was advised to go to the hospital to be tested. “We all rushed to the hospital and after the test we were told that it was now functional, but the vulcanizer’s own was not alright”. Bello said when they returned to the hospital, the Fulani man was persuaded again to bear the cost. For the vulcanizer, Bello said he later went to his wife, since he was already married, but his manhood was still found to be malfunctional. Attempts to speak with the vulcanizer did not yield fruit. this reporter could not ascertain the fate of the Fulani magician as a call to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Anambra State police Command, DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka was not answered.

Fears as HIV/AIDS prevalence rate hits 8.7 percent in Anambra

Fears have continued to grip people in Anambra state over the rise in the rate of the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease, following the revelation by the Executive Director, Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr O.J Ndibe that the prevalence rate has hit 8.7 percent in the state. Speaking at a public presentation and the adoption of the state Monitoring and Evaluation plan on HIV intervention organized by Measure and Evaluation, Implementation partners and Anambra state government in Awka yesterday, Dr Ndibe disclosed that Anambra ranks 4th in the country, stressing that the report was based on the 2014 sentinel survey. According to Dr. Ndibe, to check the rising trend of new HIV cases, ANSACA has adopted a multi sectoral HIV response by synergizing with UNICEF, FH1360, PPFN, Local Action Committees in Aids, Civil Societies and the media, for proper grassroots sensitization. He said the plan was produced by the Anambra Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) with Technical and financial support by Measure Evaluation, adding that it will go a long way to synthesize the public on HIV/AIDS. Speaking at the occasion, the state Commissioner for health, Dr Joe Akubuike said that the state has joined the league of states in Nigeria that has produced a monitoring and evaluation plan in HIV intervention. Dr. Joe Akabuike noted, “that when programme are pragmatically planned it is very useful to put a benchmark or indicators for its assessment which should be a continue process”, as he expressed the readiness of the State Government to build the capacity of the Measure Evaluation personnel to bring them in tune with the current global M & E trends as stipulated in the new M & E on HIV intervention. Dr. Akabuike who was represented on the occasion by the Director of Primary Health and Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye noted that monitoring and evaluation is not as highly technical as is generally mis-conceptualized, saying that it is easy to handle when the indicators are applied in any development work. In his contribution, the state Co-ordinator, Measure and Evaluation, Mr. Jeff Oluwagbemigba said that the states M&E plan on HIV intervention is a well articulated document designed to facilitate proper documentation and result based road map that will positively encourage more intervention from development partners. Mr. Oluwagbemiga who traced process of the state M&E Plan Production, said it originated from the initial assessment of its M&E system through a 12 component global tool and the brainstorming sessions of all players in HIV Response. END.

Burial of former Anambra NUJ chairman commences, Nat. body, Anambra govt to participate actively- State Chairman

The burial of the former chairman of Anambra council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Mrs Toochukwu Udoji-Omelu who passed on last month after a brief illness will commence on Thursday. A notice by the planning committee of the union states that a service of songs will be held for the departed unionist at the Godwin Ezeemo Press Centre, Executive Business District, Awka on Friday at 4pm with journalists, friends of the media and friends of the family in attendance.. As at the time of filling this report, colourful vests were being distributed to members of the union at the press centre at no cost, and are meant to be worn during the service of songs, while work was also being concluded in the compound in readiness to host the event. A member of the planning committee told our correspondent that the uniforms for the burial ceremony which were purchased by members had been reimbursed by the state government, as such, members are now being given the uniforms for free of charge. The chairman of the council, Mr Henry Nwasike in a telephone interview with our correspondent said that the national body of the NUJ starting from the National Executive Council which is the highest decision making organ of the union has indicated interest to be in Awka for the burial. Nwasike said the union has also reached out State government, Chief Willie Obiano has been on great financial benefit to the union as regards the burial, and that the union will stop at nothing to give its former chairman a befitting burial. The burial rite of the late Udoji-Omelu will be held on Friday in Awka at her husband’s compound after the corpse has been taken to the press center for final honour by her colleagues, while she will be interred in her hometown in Onitsha. She will be remembered by journalists in Anambra for her pragmatic leadership to the union, which saw her winning a second term unopposed. She will also be remembered for her doggedness, which saw her attracting Chief Godwin Ezeemo, a business mogul to singlehandedly take up the construction of the press centre after decades of operating from a rented apartment.

GOV AKPABIO READY TO BUY CHIBK ABDUCTED GIRLS FROM BOKO HARAM

The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum and governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio today said he doubts the number of alleged students said to have been abducted by Boko Haram at Government Girls Secondary School,Chibok in Borno State. Governor Akpabio expressed this doubt this morning while speaking on Channels Television breakfast programme Sunrise Daily monitored by CKN

. According to the Governor,the various conflicting reports and certain fundamental indexes supports his claim. The governor, who said the issue is very sensitive, said he would not want to dwell so much on it so as not to arouse public condemnation. But he went on to ask certain pertinent questions. Some of these were how come the Principal and matrons of the school were not around when the incident happened. Why is it that none of the female teachers were also abducted? At one point did a female school have such number of male students sitting for the same examination? He went on to ask, how it was possible to ferry over 230 students in two buses according to the eye witnesses. Lastly, he also questioned the integrity of the leader of Boko haram who spoke on video tapes about the kidnap for according to him, the man was incoherent and looked like someone speaking under the influence of alcohol. He called for prayers for the rescue of the girls while rhetorically saying that he is ready to “buy” the girls since Boko Haram has threatened to sell them off in order to reunite them with their families.

Nigeria’s oldest newspaper vendor, Pa Obinedu dies at 95

Nigeria’s oldest newspaper vendor who retired just last year at the age of 94, Pa Ephraim Obinedu has been reported dead. Obinedu, a hard working vendor who was known among his colleagues as a bank of knowledge it gathered died peacefully in his hometown of Ndikelionwu while savouring his retirement. Three years ago, the nonagenarian had bagged an award with the Anambra State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), where in an interview he had disclosed that he would be glad to retire, but cannot do so because he fends for himself from the proceeds of his sales and has no wife, children or relatives. He was also revealed to have been squatting in a room in his church(Assemblies of God Church) in Awka, through the magnanimity of his pastor who took him in. His citation in 2011 had evoked a lot of pity from the audience, causing an immediate institution of a retirement fund for him, with the trio of Capital Oil and Gas boss, Dr Ifeanyi Uba, Special adviser to the president, Senator Ndi Obi and the national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh to raise N1.5million for him, with promise of more. Though he had told journalists that he would now retire, but three months after, Pa Obinedu was back in business with a renewed vigour. Though his fellow vendors had complained that the award and retirement funds did not make a difference in his life, warranting them to question the whereabout of the millions, but an independent investigation by this reporter had revealed that his church was managing the fund for him. Rev Patrick Offor(his pastor) had clarified that the fund was being used to build a modest bungalow for him in his hometown, with the intention of taking him back to the village for retirement as he had refused to retire, sneaking out at every possible time to vend newspapers. Offor also revealed that the church had the intention of bringing back his separated wife for both of them to co-habit, and also find a domestic help to take care of him and his wife, all of which they did before his retirement. Obinedu among newspaper vendors was regaded as a bank of knowledge as they will surround him while waiting for delivery of supplies in the morning, and enjoy his story of great news stories that have made headlines in Zik’s West African Pilot, and other ordeals he has suffered in the hands of government vending banned newspapers. A press release signed by the chairman of Awka Newspaper Distributors and Vendors Association chairman, Mr Gaius Ogbonna Iwuagwu stated that Pa Obinedu would be buried in his hometown in Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government area on 23rd May. Iwuagwu said that news of Obinedu’s death was a shock to the vendors, and that he would be missed for his fatherly advice to the association, just as he was a source of information to them. “He knows by heart all the major newspapers of the post colonial era and can reel out to you the order in which newspapers were established, with the headlines that made the biggest sales in each of the newspapers before, during and after independence. “We call on good spirited individuals to come and pay their last respect to this man who devoted his life to serving his fatherland through the dissemination of information. We urge people to make donations towards his burial in any little way that they can, especially as he is not known to have any children.” ADDITIONAL REPORT WAS DONE BY THIS REPORTER THREE YEARS AGO WHEN OBINEDU WAS HONOURED BY ANAMBRA NUJ AS MAN OF THE YEAR Pa Obinedu, The Millionaire Newspaper Vendor Returns To Business It was a surprise yesterday to find Pa Ephraim Obinedu, a 93-year-old newspaper vendor at the Newspaper distribution point at Amikwo Awka yesterday, in the midst of other vendors scrambling for supply of various national dailies to make the day’s sales. His colleagues said the millionaire newspaper vendor, has despite his fortune refused to quit selling newspapers. Last year, the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) honoured Pa Ephraim Obinedu for meritorious service as the longest serving newspaper vendor in the country. There, after the citation of the nonagenarian was read to the hearing of the audience, which stated his age as 92, and his inability to retire as he fends for himself and does not have any known relatives, well meaning Nigerians including APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, Chairman of Orient Communications, Mr Godwin Ezeemo and chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah among others rose and declared their intention to set up a retirement trust fund for him. Besides pledges, Pa Obinedu after the function instantly became a millionaire as the cash sum of N1.5million was donated to him. In an interview with reporters after the event, Pa Obinedu who expressed thanks to the union for the award said it has always been his dream to retire comfortably, but that dream has never come to fruition until now. He stated that at last, he can now retire from his newspaper business. This was not to be, as six months after he was so extra ordinarily honoured, Pa Obinedu even though he is now 93 is back in business, and with a renewed vigour than before. When approached for an interview by our reporter, as he simply mumbled that he was still doing business. When our reporter sought to know why he is still in the business, despite having pledged to retire, Pa Obinedu again responded that, “I will soon retire”. Investigation however revealed that he still sells newspapers on the streets of Awka, and not ready to retire in the nearest future. Some of Obinedu’s fellow vendors who spoke with our correspondent said nothing has changed about Pa Obinedu since he bagged the award and was turned into an instant millionaire. “He still wears the same clothes, he has not even bought himself a handset, nor has he changed his feeding habit to match his new status as a millionaire,” Eze Udu, a vendor said. A newspaper distributor, Felix Deboy Oti who supplies Pa Obinedu with newspapers said, “Even we who know him are confused because he carries on as if nothing has changed about him. Even when you address him as a millionaire, he seems to take offence. We once asked him out of curiosity if the money is still there and he said yes. We were afraid that he may have lost the money because that day, the money was put in a bag and given to the police for safekeeping. This time, he hustles for more papers than even before when he was a poor man.” Though Obinedu refused to disclose to our reporter what he did with the money, investigation by our reporter who traced the nonagenarian to Assemblies of God Church, Court Road, Awka where it was learnt he is quartered shows that the money is still safe and in the possession of his church elders who decided to keep the money away from him to avoid misuse. Rev Patrick Offor, the presiding pastor of Assemblies of God Church, Court Road, Awka where Obinedu is a founding member told our reporter that the church board is in possession of the money and has been planning how to secure the money by opening ‘Obinedu Trust Fund’ for him. Offor said the church was already planning how to help Obinedu by setting up a retirement funds that will aid him when the Anambra Council of NUJ nominated him for the award that turned him into a millionaire. The planned retirement however did not seem to go down well with Obinedu as in spite of his church’s promise to carter for his needs, he sneaks out of the church compound very early every morning to go to the newspaper distribution point, where he picks up his supply and moves to the market. Rev Offor told THIS REPORTER that elders of the church have been coming for him to take him to his local government council to get a means of identification for an account to be opened for him in a bank as he has no valid means of identification, but each time they come looking for he, it would be found that he had sneaked out of the compound. Offor also stated that finishing touches are already being put in a two rooms affair which the church is building for him, with the hope of taking him to his village when it is completed. But is Obinedu will accept to dump his trade and heed their request to go to the village on retirement is another thing.