The Management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, has appealed to the public, patients, and hospital visitors to remain calm following the recent management of a clinically suspected diphtheria case at its facility.

​The clarification became necessary following anxiety generated by the admission and subsequent death of a pediatric patient at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER).

​According to a public statement issued by the hospital management, the young patient received full medical intervention upon admission but regrettably passed away two days later despite intensive efforts by the attending medical team.

​However, a subsequent clinical post-mortem review indicated that the severe symptoms may have been caused by severe pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria as initially suspected.

​Despite the revised clinical assessment, hospital authorities confirmed that comprehensive contact tracing is currently underway as a precautionary measure to monitor anyone who had close contact with the deceased.
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To ensure absolute safety and prevent potential transmission, the hospital management has also completed a standard decontamination exercise of the Children’s Emergency Room in strict compliance with infection prevention and control protocols.

​Reassuring the public of the health institution’s capacity, the management emphasized that UNTH has previously managed and resolved sporadic cases of diphtheria successfully.
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The statement noted that the tertiary health facility possesses the requisite specialist expertise, isolation infrastructure, and medical equipment needed to handle infectious disease cases effectively.

​Addressing broader public health concerns regarding diphtheria across the country, the management advised members of the public to remain vigilant and watch for key symptoms, including persistent fever, severe sore throat, and difficulty in swallowing.

​The hospital urged individuals or parents who notice these symptoms in themselves or their wards to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest certified healthcare facility rather than resorting to self-medication.
​Furthermore, all healthcare workers, patients, and visitors within the hospital premises were advised to consistently observe standard safety measures, including hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, as they carry out their daily routines.

​Reaffirming its commitment, the UNTH leadership assured the public that it will continue to prioritize community safety, safeguard public health, and provide transparent updates based on verified medical data.

The first of the 15 Agro-mechanisation projects earmarked by the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in all the 15 senatorial zones of the region is set for flag-off, Tuesday.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mark Okoye, made this known during a site and community engagement visit to Nomeh Unateze community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State on Tuesday.

Okoye said the SEDC had, following its establishment in 2024, used the first year to do extensive studies and design a blueprint that cuts across different areas of the South East economy.

The Managing Director said the Agro-mechanisation projects, remained a major part of the blueprint, explaining that it would address insecurity, unemployment, and food security.

“So, what we are here for is one of our flagship initiatives, which is called the South East Agro Mechanisation Programme or the South East Agro Development Programme, where we are committing to develop up to 50,000 hectares of land and that will be used for mechanised farming across the region.

“Essentially we are here for a pre-assessment, pre-flag-off visit to see the area, understand the level of work that needs to be done and ensure that the contractors can start mobilising very quickly so that once we hit the site we start running.

“Because a big part of what we are looking at is how to address food insecurity and unemployment, ensuring that we are producing what we put on the table, we are starting with pilot programmes where we are taking 200 to 300 hectares of farmland across 15 senatorial zones and developing them to standard farms where you not only have cassava, maize, some of our staple crops, but also some cash crops. In some areas, there will be the centres for learning and centres for productivity.

“We will be doing a flag-off and the governor has agreed for next week. So, we just came to assess the area, meet with the community, once again, ensuring that all the plans are in place.

“And the second we put this investment here, at least N4bn or N5 billion of added investment will come in,” he stated.

Okoye commended President Bola Tinubu for addressing the long yearning by the South East for a commission to mobilise resources and coordinate development in the region, urging the people to reciprocate the numerous gestures by supporting the President to continue the development efforts post 2027.

He further revealed that the Commission the SEDC would soon roll ou an investment agency to help mobilise local and diaspora investments for the region’s speedy development.

Media aide to the Governor of Enugu State and a community leader, Uche Anichukwu, counted the Agro-mechanisation project as one of the blessings of the All Progressives Congress, Tinubu and Governor Mbah administrations to Enugu in general and Nomeh Unateze in particularly, citing the Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara road with a spur to Oduma, which he said, had created ready and multiple access to market for the proposed agricultural project.

Speaking, Chairman, Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka and other community stakeholders, reiterated their support for the project, and commended President Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah for siting the project in their community.

“We are very, very happy. We cannot wait to see it actualised and we promise that we are going to provide everything that is necessary to make sure that this is established to make sure that it.

“The Commission has taken a methodical approach to regional development. Rather than the pitfall of throwing money at development challenges, it undertook a study of the region and came up with a masterplan, which includes this initiative, to reinvent the South East post-civil war,” Anyianuka added.

Also present at the interactive session were the traditional council of Nomeh Unateze and community heads.

…declare him sole candidate of choice for Enugu governorship election

Traditional rulers from Awkunanaw cultural zone in Enugu State, under the aegis, “Council/Forum of Ndi Igwe from the Awkunanaw Extraction of Nkanu”, have declared their collective support for the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah in the 2027 Enugu State governorship election.

The traditional rulers, drawn from communities in Nkanu West and Enugu South Local Government Areas, stated their position in a communiqué issued on Monday, following deliberations and reflections on the affairs and development of Enugu State.

The Council said it acknowledged the leadership and development initiatives of the Mbah administration, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, economic development, revenue generation and transportation.

It also recognised what it described as the direction of the present administration and efforts to reposition the State for sustainable growth and development.

The traditional rulers said this informed their recognition of the need for continuity in governance, particularly where ongoing programmes, reforms and development initiatives should be allowed to mature and deliver their full benefits.

“Following extensive deliberation and consultation among the Royal Fathers, we hereby state, in unison and without equivocation, our collective support for the re-election bid of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, as Governor of Enugu State,” they stated.

According to the communiqué, the position reflected the “collective will and resolution” of the Council/Forum of Ndi Igwe from the Awkunanaw Extraction of Nkanu.

The Council subsequently endorsed Mbah for re-election in 2027, stating: “We stand together in support of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as our sole candidate of choice for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Enugu State.”

It further stated: “Our endorsement is based on our assessment of the direction of governance, the development witnessed across the State, and our conviction that continuity will allow the administration to consolidate its programmes and further advance the State.”

The traditional rulers also reaffirmed their responsibility as custodians of their respective communities to listen to their people, articulate their concerns and support initiatives that promote peace, development, prosperity and the wellbeing of Ndi Enugu.

They pledged to continue engaging constructively with the Enugu State Government and communicating the concerns and aspirations of their communities through appropriate channels.

The communiqué was signed on behalf of the Council/Forum by 17 traditional rulers from the zone, namely HRH Igwe Daniel Nnamani of Amechi Uno Awkunanaw; Igwe Linus Okafor of Obeagu Uno; Igwe Greg Ugwu of Attakwu Akegbe Awkunanaw; Igwe Obiora Igweshi of Amuohа Obuofia Awkunanaw; Igwe Raymond Agwa of Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw; Igwe Mike Nnukwu of Obeagu Awkunanaw; Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo of Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Awkunanaw; and Igwe Ignatius Ugwu of Amagu Akegbe Awkunanaw.

Others are Igwe Felix Nwobodo Ani of Ndiagu Obuofia Awkunanaw; Igwe Bernerd Nwoye of Akwuke Awkunanaw; Igwe Cyprian Ekwomchi of Akwukwu Uwani Awkunanaw; Igwe John Ngene Omedoaku of Amechi Awkunanaw; Igwe Chinedu Nwobodonyia of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw; Igwe J.A. Ogbodo of Amechi Uwani Awkunanaw; Igwe Emeka Ani of Umueze Awkunanaw; Igwe Maduabuchi Ugwu of Okpebe Amodu Awkunanaw; and Igwe Ferdinand Ukwu of Amechi Obuofia Awkunanaw.