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New UNIZIK VC: Crowd receive Prof Odoh as he assumes office, unveils admin blueprint
By Chuks Collins, Awka
Amidst widespread controversy between the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka and the Federal Ministry of Education, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof Bernard Odoh has fully assumed office.
He was on Tuesday received by a huge crowd of enthusiastic academia, university community, stakeholders, friends, well-wishers and associates welcomed him on his first day in office.
The reception activities commenced with a concelebrated high mass at the St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy of the University. The church service was attended by about one hundred priests, Professors, Deans and Heads of Departments and others.
From the church, the crowd moved over to the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The priests prayed and blessed the office and workers before the Vice Chancellor proceeded to the university auditorium where he addressed the university community.

Prof Odoh used the occasion of the interactive session to unveil his administration’s blueprint.
It was titled “Disruptive Model”, and reminded them that politics of the selection process of the new Vice-Chancellor was now over while there is no controversy over the powers of the Governing Council and the Visitor of the University over the appointment of a new VC.
He called on the university community to cue-in immediately into the lofty programmes of his administration geared towards establishing Nnamdi Azikiwe University among the top 50 universities in Africa while reshaping and repositioning the University to contest for a position in the first 500 universities in global ranking of universities through the Disruptive Development Model ( 2024-2029).
Prof Odoh said the university under his administration would reward excellence and hard work and at the same time be harsh to indiscipline and indolence.
He said his vision was “to transform UNIZIK into a leading beacon of academic excellence and innovation in Africa ” while the mission is to “cultivate graduates who are not only market-ready but also poised to excel in the global economy “.
According to the new VC his administrative blueprint include “Development of Industry- Ready Graduates, Enhance Research and Development, Integrate Disruptive Technologies, Strengthen Industry- Academia Partnerships and Achieve Sustainable Growth”.
“Together we will face the challenges and opportunities ahead with a commitment to excellence. We stand at a pivotal threshold of history beckoning us to chart a course that aligns with the Zikist vision of positioning Africa as a global leader in the arts, humanities, and allied sciences.
“As we embark on this journey, let our guide be the principles and ideals Nnamdi Azikiwe championed- a relentless pursuit of excellence, a steadfast commitment to innovation and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.
“Together, we will build upon the foundation laid by our esteemed namesake and strive to make Nnamdi Azikiwe University a beacon of progress, a hub of knowledge and a catalyst for the advancement of Africa”.
On his vision of shaping the university for the future, Odoh said through the Disruptive Development Model , there would be a strategic framework to boost academic quality, innovation and global competitiveness .
He outlined eleven goals he would pursue to include the establishment of Centre for Raw Materials Development and Beneficiation, Enhancing Academic Excellence, Strengthening Academic Excellence , Improving Infrastructure , Promoting Research and Innovation, Establishment of International Collaborations and Enhancement of Community Engagement, among others.
He identified key projects and strategic initiatives comprising another 11 core projects including the completion of a Vice Chancellor’s residence by 2026 which he noted would enhance administrative functions, foster role model presence , strengthen university culture and community engagement.
The Vice Chancellor also said immediate commitment to on-campus leadership of his administration has commenced immediately as he had decided to convert the university kitchen to his residence which will undergo renovation within one month,
“I will be on a permanent residence on campus within six weeks of my assumption of office. Establishing a continuous 24/7 leadership presence on campus is not just a symbolic gesture but a strategic decision to remain closely connected to the day –to- day pulse of the university.
“Being on the locus allows me to engage with students, faculty, and staff more directly, understand their concerns and aspiration firsthand, and respond quickly to any challenges. This closely-knitted leadership approach will foster a culture of transparency, accessibility and mutual respect-key values for any thriving academic community.
“With a constant leadership presence, I am committed to bridging the gaps between administration and the university community, enhancing communication, trust, and accountability, which are critical to our collective growth and success” the Vice chancellor stated.
In the sermon the Chaplain of St. Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy UNIZIK, Rev. Fr Religious Ezeokonkwo, the homilist, Rev. Fr Evaristus Iheanacho in a sermon titled “Call to Serve” urged every member of the university community to work hard in upholding the motto of the institution in character and learning.
“I urge all members of this great citadel of learning to work together and in unity to restore the glory of this University. Only change is constant and positive change is what this University needs”.
He prayed God to give Professor Odoh the grace, strength and ability to do things right, fix things in their proper place and ensure progress of teaching, learning and especially, character formation.
The priest charged the Vice-Chancellor to discharge his duties with all diligence and do good to all men without bias, fear or favour.
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Police arrest three Anambra women over alleged sale of child for ₦2 million
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women for their alleged involvement in child trafficking and the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2m.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.
Ikenga alleged that the suspects belonged to a child trafficking syndicate that specialised in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for various sums of money.
According to him, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideouts on Saturday evening, while other members of the syndicate escaped. He added that some children were rescued during the operation.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters.

“Preliminary information revealed how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman, who is currently at large.”
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.
“The CP has also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the trafficking syndicate and to commence coordinated operations aimed at locating, rescuing, and reuniting the trafficked children with their biological families.
“The Command appreciates members of the public whose timely and credible information led to the successful operation and urges residents to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence,” the statement added.
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Soldiers intercept illicit drugs on Lagos-Calabar road, arrest driver
Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and arrested its driver.
The interception followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on July 9, 2026, after troops received actionable intelligence from a credible source.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger general area of Lagos State.
“However, the suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs,” the statement read.

It added, “In line with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and prosecution.”
The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.
The Army said the operation underscored its continued collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
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Three brothers charged with murder after beating mother’s boyfriend to death
Three brothers have been charged with murder in Eswatini after allegedly beating their mother’s boyfriend to death over claims that he was involved in a romantic relationship with her.
The accused — Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in connection with the killing, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026, in Hholoshini, located in the country’s Hhohho Region.
During the hearing, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until July 10, 2026, while prosecutors prepare to transfer the case to the High Court, where murder cases are typically tried.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim, identified as Njabulo Ngwenya, using bricks, stones, sticks, punches and repeated kicks, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.
Police believe the alleged assault stemmed from accusations that Ngwenya was having an affair with the
brothers’ biological mother.

The incident came to the attention of authorities after Sibongile Motsa reported finding her son dead inside her sister’s home in the early hours of June 28.
Court documents state that Motsa discovered Ngwenya’s body at about 1 a.m. before notifying the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the three suspects.
Following their first court appearance, the accused were remanded in custody pending the next hearing and the formal transfer of the matter to the High Court.
Authorities have not disclosed additional information beyond the facts presented during the initial court proceedings.
The case has drawn widespread public interest across Eswatini as investigations continue.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland before Mswati III officially renamed the country in 2018, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial system, serious criminal offences such as murder are generally transferred from the Magistrates Court to the High Court after the initial hearing.
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