FUTO VC counts blessings, challenges – After two years in office

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Chigozie C. Asiabaka (KSM) was two years in office on June 19, 2013, having assumed office on June 19, 2011. To mark the second anniversary as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Asiabaka addressed the press, June 17, during which he counted his blessings, prospects and challenges. Reflecting on the past two years, Asiabaka said: “We have indeed made remarkable and commendable progress towards re-positioning this university to world class standard”, adding that the laudable success which they have recoded so far would not have been possible without the support of the academic, administrative and other non-teaching staff of the university. He listed what he…

Retired Alvan Staff groan under unpaid entitlements

- Head of Service says govt is addressing their problems Retired staff of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) Owerri beween 2007-2009 have carried to the media their battle for survival over their unpaid end-of-service financial benefits (July 2007-Dec. 2009). Two spokespersons of this Group Sir Alex Onyemekara, former Dean School of Sciences and Sir Alex Ukaegbu, Principal Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, who were interviewed, described their members as “The Unfortunate Group”.  They lamented that those who retired before them, (1993-2007) have fully received their gratuities and were enjoying their pensions without any outstanding arrears while those who retired after them (since Dec. 2009) have been adequately covered in the PENCOM Pension Scheme….

Imo Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) must be autonomous

The Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) should be made autonomous if the much needed increase in Internally Generated revenue (IGR) for Imo State is to be realized. It must be realized that the establishment of Task Forces on revenue Generation is usually not the solution to the dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) situation in any State.  Rather, the only way out is to make the BIR autonomous and free from the day to day Government control, supervision and monitoring.  By this process, BIR should be allowed to utilize about 5% of whatever IGR they generate for personnel and overhead costs including maintenance of office equipments while the balance of 95% is paid into…

Shun Cultism – Archbishop Obinna Tells Holy Ghost College Students

… As He pays one day Pastoral  Visit to the School The catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. A.J.V Obinna has charged the students of Holy Ghost College, Owerri to desist from social vices. His Grace stated this on Thursday 30th May 2013 during a pastoral visit at Holy Ghost College. He thanked God for such a day because the school was once a hotbed  for criminals but now it’s a place of decency and a home. He thanked God for saving the life of Fr. Cyprain Oguh, the Chaplain and principal of the school. He thanked all those who contributed immensely in bringing back the school’s lost glory and beauty….

Ibeto begins payment of Nigercem retirement benefits

Despite the frustrations being faced by the Ibeto Cement Company in its move to begin operation at its recently acquired plant, Nigercem Plc., the company has announced commencement of payment of outstanding retirement benefits to former staff. The company in a statement, said pursuant to the emergences of Ibeto Cement Company Ltd.  the core investor and majority shareholder in the Nigerian Cement Company Plc., it had begun to fulfill its obligations to various stakeholders regardless of the recalcitrance of the Ebonyi State Government against Ibeto’s development efforts. “The company has commenced the payment of final withdrawals payment being retirement benefit scheme due to 72 staff members of Nigerian Plc., from their contribution and that of…

Polynek welcomes new Governing Council

The newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede received a red carpet reception on Monday, May 13, 2013 as the management, staff and students of the institution defied the ongoing strike by the academic staff union to welcome the Council. The Rector of the school, Dr. Mrs. Celestina Njoku in her speech promised to work in harmony and love with them. She solicited the cooperation of the staff to enable the new governing council to succeed in the task of realizing their set goals and objectives. The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Yusuf Ado said he was happy with the structures already in place so far and the environmental cleanliness of the…

Jonathan imposes emergency rule on Adamawa, Borno, Yobe

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.  However, the governors of the affected states are to continue in their constitutional roles.  In a nationwide radio/television broadcast on Tuesday, President Jonathan ordered the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, to deploy more troops to the affected states for more effective internal security operations. The soldiers had been given full orders to take necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to end the impunity of insurgents and terrorists. Full texts of the President’s broadcast on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 reads. It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate…

Re-invigorating NDDC For Developmental Challenges (5)

Without doubt, efficient and effective performance of NDDC operators call for additional provisions. These provisions are in terms of structures, equipments and facilities, including personnel of various categories, and these require bold funding through improved budgetary provisions by the Federal Government. To avoid stressing so far, the bold funding should be basically implemented on a scrupulous and realistic cost estimates, after a prudent appraisal of the requirement of the various NDDC offices including the challenges they are grappling with in terms of availability of these structure, equipments, and other facilities. Management experts have stressed that adequate structures, equipments and personnel make for optimum staff utilization for high productivity and that in planning for these, a…

Auto crash: Why Okorocha was not treated in Government hospital

Insecurity and protracted labour dispute between the State Government and staff of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), were reasons why Governor Rochas Okorocha was not taken to the hospital for treatments when he was involved in an auto crash recently. Okorocha’s vehicle had head-on collision with another vehicle belonging to one Osita Nnawuihe on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Umuoma, Orlu, while driving himself without the usual outriders and government house ambulance. Daily Sun learnt that the governor was rushed to St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa where he received first aid, while Nnawuihe was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri for treatment. The State Government and the teaching hospital…