
News
World Teachers’ Day: Enugu Council rewards 28 teachers, lauds Gov Mbah’s Smart School Initiative
…Says teachers’ rewards must start on earth
The Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, LGA, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, has honoured a total of 28 diligent teachers, head teachers and school principals with awards of excellence, assuring them of the government’s determination to prioritise teachers’ welfare as they take education to a higher level.
Hon. Obeagu also commended the Smart Schools initiative of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration in the 260 electoral wards of the state, describing them as the surest path to a prosperous and crime-free future for Isi-Uzo and the rest of the state.
The Council Chairman presented the awards during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration at the Isi-Uzo Local Government secretariat, Ikem, where teachers from all the primary and post-primary schools within the LGA converged to commemorate the day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the contributions of teachers to the society.
In an address, Hon. Obeagu, represented by a former Secretary, Isi-Uzo LGA, Barr. Azubuike Odo, as he was attending a retreat for Council Chairmen organised by the state government, highlighted the roles and impacts of teachers in nation-building and the need to celebrate them.


“It is incumbent on us to celebrate our revered teachers and appreciate them for the unquantifiable and remarkable roles they play in our society. There are many professions, but non exhibits nobility more than the teaching profession because it is the pivot upon which other professions revolve.
“It is also an occasion to appreciate our governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for prioritising education. When people talk about Supreme Court judgement on local government financial autonomy, I laugh because as a second term chairman, I know that the governor is even bailing out local governments, financially.
“Even though primary education is a local government responsibility, the administration is solely constructing 260 smart schools across the 260 wards. So, the governor is doing 11 Smart Schools in our 11 wards. Where could we have gotten over N11bn to do them?
“These revolutionary school projects will provide free education and world-class learning environment and equipment as well as serve as a connection for the local people to the global village. They will drastically reduce the number of out of school children. It will curb the proliferation of quack private schools that undermine our development and the future of our children.
“He has also been paying wage awards to all the teachers since December 2023. In March this year, he extended minimum wage to primary school teachers after several years of waiting. About three months ago, he approved the release of the sum of N1.9bn for the payment of four-year accumulated teachers leave allowances,” Obeagu stated.
On the teachers’ welfare, Obeagu assured that gone were the days when they said that teachers’ reward is in heaven.
“We shall reward you here, then God will reward you in heaven. Our administration shall work with your leaders to ensure that we improve your welfare packages. We intend to introduce new incentives to help ensure greater performance and competitiveness among the teachers,” he added.
Speaking to newsmen, the wife of the Chairman Isi-Uzo LGA, Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, who presented the awards, said the awards, which came to the teachers as a surprise, being the first of its kind in Isi-Uzo, was to encourage and get them more dedicated to their work because they now know that they are not only being watched, but will also be rewarded.
In an opening address earlier, The Education Secretary, Isi-Uzo Local Government Lady Rachael Odo, commended the Council Chairman for introducing the awards and called on the teachers to also raise their game.
“As we celebrate teachers today, remember to be constantly updated in knowledge, ensure you carry out your civic duties, and remain healthy by practicing sports and other curricular activities,” she advised.
Some of the awardees such as a class teacher, Uzoma Nnachi from Central School, Umuaram, and Casmia Ugwu from Community Secondary School, Mbu, said they never knew anybody was watching them or that they would ever be celebrated because the awards were the first of its kind in Isi-Uzo.
In attendance were the guest speaker, Mrs. Joy Ogbu; former Assistant General-Secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Paul Ugwuagbo; and former executives of Isi-Uzo Council, while the high point of the event was the march past by some of the teachers.
News
Obi donates ₦10m to Faith Foundation Nursing College, urges Youths to reject ethnic politics
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress( NDC) in the 2027 elections, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday visited the Faith Foundation College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, where he expressed delight at the progress of projects underway at the institution.
Obi, who inspected some of the ongoing projects, was received by the Proprietor of the College, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Agbo, who expressed appreciation for Obi’s longstanding support for the institution.
Agbo disclosed that Obi’s earlier financial contributions had played a significant role in giving the institution the confidence to embark on many of the projects currently under construction.
The Proprietor said the support had encouraged the management to continue investing in the development of the institution and its facilities.
In continuation of his support for the institution, Obi presented a cheque of ₦10 million towards the ongoing projects.

He also assured the management that he would continue to partner with the institution until it realises its objective of producing its first set of nurses.
Obi said his intervention was part of his broader commitment to supporting education and healthcare, particularly the training of quality healthcare professionals who would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He thereafter proceeded to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Nsukka, where he participated in the 68th Annual Conference of Anglican Youths.
Addressing the youths, Obi urged them to recognise their responsibility in building a new Nigeria, stressing that the country they desire cannot emerge without their active participation in shaping its future.
He urged them to reject politics based on tribe, religion or language and instead insist on electing leaders with proven character, competence, capacity, integrity and strong ethical values.
According to him, the future of Nigeria depends not only on the leaders the country produces but also on the standards citizens demand from those who seek public office.
“Our future depends not only on the leaders we produce but also on the standards we demand. Together, we can build the New Nigeria that is possible,” he said.
News
Gunmen invade Kogi communities, kill residents
Several people were feared killed on Thursday when armed men reportedly attacked three communities in Kupa Kingdom — Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi — in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State in an alleged reprisal attack.
Residents said the incident began around 8am when a herder, suspected of being a cattle rustler, was shot and killed during a heated altercation with local vigilantes at a checkpoint in the community.
“Few hours after the checkpoint incident between a herder and vigilantes, armed hoodlums invaded the town, shooting sporadically from different directions.
“In the process, several residents were killed, with many others sustaining injuries, as the armed hoodlums attacked streets, markets and even the palace of our paramount traditional ruler in the town.
“As of yesterday night, seven people were confirmed dead. The death toll may rise in the days ahead as the search for and confirmation of victims is still in progress.

“Moreover, the situation will become clearer when families who sought refuge in safer communities start returning from their various hiding places,” Ahmed, a resident of Abugi, said.
A son of the Mayaki of Kupa, Prince Aliyu Isah Kabir, who is the APC Youth Leader of Kupa South Ward, was confirmed to be among the victims of the attack.
The Lokoja Local Government Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, confirmed the incident, saying the attack on the Kupa communities had led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Adamu said: “We have charged the relevant security agencies to swing into action and arrest anyone who has a hand, directly or remotely, in the attack and bring them to face the law.
“The government is saddened by this devilish act and will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for the deceased. I want to appeal for calm while the relevant security agencies take action.”
The Kogi State Government also condemned the attack, describing it as tragic, senseless and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Friday, the state government described the incident as a reprisal attack and vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding it, identify those responsible and prosecute them as a deterrent to others.
In the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government said: “The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack.
“These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law.
“We appeal to all residents to remain calm and resist the temptation of reprisals. We also urge members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that will aid ongoing investigations and the arrest of all those responsible.”
According to the statement, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo sympathised with the families of the deceased and directed “security agencies to immediately restore calm, take control of the situation and apprehend those responsible for the killings.”
The government also appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid further retaliation and provide security agencies with credible information as investigations into the incident continue.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command was contacted over the development, but its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls and a text message as of the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)
News
PFIPC probe: ICPC uncovers two more fake agencies linked to Adeyemi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two more fake agencies operated by the self‑styled Director‑General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi.
ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after he submitted the commission’s interim report on the existence and operation of the fake agency at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu said the investigation revealed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was never established by law or executive order.
According to the interim report, the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged, while the PFIPC illegally appropriated offices and instruments from the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
He said the fake agency, using the former PEAC office, engaged in false representation, widespread impersonation and various illegal activities that exploited weaknesses in verification and inter‑agency oversight.

He further stated that the investigation uncovered two additional fake government agencies: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA).
“These agencies were created using forged legislative instruments and were used to open bank accounts for illegal activities,” he said.
The ICPC boss said Adeyemi changed the name of the fake agency from Foreign Investment Promotion Council to Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and attempted to expand its mandate to include revenue generation.
He said: “The investigation found no funds were approved or disbursed for the fake PFIPC/PEAC, and there were no weaknesses in the State House or CBN system.”
Some recommendations of the committee, which was given 30 days to unravel the mystery behind the existence of the fake agency, include prosecution of Mr. Adeyemi; imposing administrative sanctions on public officers who facilitated the illegal operations; and instituting reforms to improve internal controls
Related News
ICPC clears Gbajabiamila, says Adeniyi’s appointment letter was forged
Fake Agency: State House denies requesting budget code from OAGF
PFIPC Probe: Family raises alarm over planned Reps’ interrogation of Adeyemi in custody
The public officers who were said to be collaborators are from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant‑General’s Office, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
“The report is interim and the investigation continues to uncover more details to file criminal charges against Adeyemi and his collaborators,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu added that President Tinubu has taken note of the findings and has expressed his commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the issue.
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: EFCC freezes Osun govt bank account days to election
-
Entertainment3 days agoPopular Nollywood Actress dies after battle with cancer
-
Faith3 days agoRCCG Founder’s Daughter speaks on viral statement criticising church leadership
-
News3 days agoMalpractice: WAEC withholds 167,486 WASSCE results
-
News18 hours agoIGP appoints new Police Commissioners
-
News13 hours agoAtiku raises alarm over ‘mysterious’ payment into his private bank account
-
News1 day agoCourt remands Ex-DSS Officer in Kuje Prison over alleged support for IPOB
-
News16 hours agoCourt remands man for allegedly hacking SunTrust Bank Server, diverting N800 million




