The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), has urgently called for an investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council, (UNHRC), into the allegations of genocide against the Igbo people by the Nigerian Army.

The group emphasized that the accusations levelled by the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) against the Army are not entirely baseless, highlighting the need for an impartial and independent investigation into the matter.

HURIWA’s call comes amid escalating concerns over the spate of kidnappings and violence in the South-East geo-political region, particularly in the Ihiala axis of Anambra State, which has been dubbed the ‘Sambisa Forest of the South-East’.

“The dense forests in this region have reportedly become notorious for harbouring criminal elements, including kidnappers, who have turned these areas into terror zones. Victims who manage to survive the ordeal recount harrowing experiences, including torture, maiming, and in some cases, death even after ransom payments.

“The dead bodies of those less fortunate, along with their personal belongings, often litter the forests where they were held captive.

“These kidnappers reportedly operate with impunity in areas like Ihiala, Lilu, Orsumoghu, and other surrounding communities, despite efforts by security agents to comb the forests and engage in gun battles with the criminals. The vast forest stretch, known locally as ‘Mother Valley’ and other nicknames, spans over 700 hectares and is largely inaccessible, making it a haven for these criminal activities.

“Residents live in constant fear, with some communities abandoned or deserted due to the persistent threat posed by these criminal elements”.

In a Press statement, HURIWA revealed that it has consistently supported the Nigerian government’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the South-East.

The organization acknowledged the devastating impact of the ongoing violence, which has led to widespread loss of lives and destruction of property.

However, HURIWA is deeply concerned about the methods employed by security agencies, which have allegedly resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent Igbo youths under the pretext of hunting down IPOB members.

The rights group pointed out that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which should ideally conduct such investigations in Nigeria, lacks the independence required for an impartial investigation.

HURIWA argued that the NHRC, a federal government agency, is not in a position to assess the situation objectively, hence the need for a high-powered investigative team from the UNHRC.

While HURIWA supports the federal government’s initiative to restore security and stability in the South-East, it stresses that the government must also protect innocent civilians.

The group condemned the killing of security personnel and attacks on national security assets but raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the identities of those responsible for these attacks.

“Each time an attack occurs, the Nigerian Armed Forces are quick to blame IPOB, but the official IPOB leadership often denies involvement.

“In some instances, factions within IPOB, which the mainstream group has distanced itself from, claim responsibility. This confusion underscores the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the truth”.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, is dead.

It is not clear when he died and if he was ill.

The police spokesperson in the state, Timfon John, when contacted asked our reporter to wait for an official statement.

“Just wait for an official statement from his family and the command,” Ms John said.

Another operative who works at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo confirmed the death to this newspaper this morning.

“Yes, it is true,” the operative said, but declined to give details because she is not permitted to speak on the matter.

A 13-year-old boy simply identified as Christian has been seen selling tickets to commercial tricycle operators at Jigbale market in Udu LGA of Delta State.

The development has raised concerns about child labour, with many questioning how a kid could be subjected to such exploitation.

According to eyewitnesses, Christian was seen standing by the roadside, selling tickets to tricycle operators, who ply their trade in the area.

When approached, the young boy revealed that he had been forced to take up the job to support his family.

This incident is a clear violation of the provisions of the Child Rights Act, which prohibits the exploitation of children in any form.

Section 28 of the Act states that “no child shall be subjected to any form of exploitation, including economic exploitation”.

A child rights expert, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho condemned the development, stating that “it is unacceptable for a child to be subjected to such exploitation”.

“The government must take immediate action to protect the rights of children and ensure that they are not forced into labour,” he added.

The Delta State Government has been called upon to investigate the incident and take necessary steps to protect Christian and other children from similar exploitation.

The House of Representatives on Thursday promised to look into the cases of unfunded federal agencies created by the Act of Parliament.

The Chairman of the Special Committee on the Restructuring of Federal Agencies, Commissions, and Parastatals, Ibrahim Isiaka, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the agencies or commissions created by the Act of Parliament would not be merged without recourse to amendments of the Act that created them.

Isiaka said: “This is the position of the law, and the only arms of government that can alter or amend the law is the parliament, even at the state level.

He, however, noted that if such agencies were mere departments created by the federal government and did not pass through parliament, the government had the power to alter them without recourse to the National Assembly.

The lawmaker expressed concern about reports of salary delays in some agencies, including the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) and other agencies under the Ministry of Health.

“Away from that, any agency concerned should bring the Act that established it because there are so many agencies that were created,” he added.

He called for an examination of the funding structure of such agencies, noting some were created with the promise of self-sufficiency.

The immediate past Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah has hailed Governor Hope Uzodimma on his recent victory at the Supreme Court over the litigations by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Labour Party (LP), Senator Athan Achonu on the Saturday, November 11, 2023 governorship election and the Leadership Prize Award on Good Governance conferred on him by the Michael Okpara Leadership Foundation, emphasizing that the governor has shown exemplary leadership in Imo State and the Southeast, and has been able to sustain the legacies of Pa Michael Okpara who served as the Premier of the old Eastern Region, from 1959 to 1966 at 39 years.

In a statement in Owerri on Thursday, Opiah, who also served as the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly from 2007 to 2011, said that the award conferred on the governor was deserving.

Opiah described the governor’s Supreme Court victory as meritorious, noting that the victory affirmed the governor’s landslide victory in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.

He said that Pa Michael Okpara was known for “pragmatic socialism” and strong belief that agricultural reform was crucial to the ultimate economic liberation of the people, which he said were properly encapsulated in Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity vision.

He said: “Congratulations, our dear governor, on receiving this prestigious award, which is a sincere recognition of your selfless service to the people of Imo State and the Southeast at large, patterned after the leadership style of Dr. Michael Okpara, former Premier of the old Eastern Region.

“Your dedication and commitment to serving the people of Imo State is truly commendable, and this award attests to it.

“For us, this recognition is a testament to your hard work and positive impact on the people of Imo State and the Southeast at large. You have not been found wanting in your service to your people.

“Keep up the excellent work, and may you continue to lead with integrity and passion for the betterment of all.”

The Spiritual Director of Zion Church Ministries Worldwide, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Obi has commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his administration’s efforts in the protection of lives and property in Imo, affirming that the State is safe and secure.

Speaking on Monday at the Government House Owerri when he paid a thank you visit to the Governor over the successful three days Crusade at Ngor Okpala area of Imo State that attracted participants from different parts of the world, Evangelist Obi said not one incident linked to insecurity was recorded during the occasion.

The Evangelist said: “I have come to appreciate you, Your Excellency. People were eager to see you at the crusade to thank you. The white visitors were confident and happy about the security situation. Everyone felt secure and at home. I therefore want to tell you that Imo is safe and secure.”

He reminded Governor Uzodimma that no less than three million persons attended the crusade in what he described as the largest since he started holding such crusades in the country.

Explaining that he was happy to have visited the Governor with his principle officers to appreciate him for his support and that of the Government of Imo State, Evangelist Obi emphasised that “over three million people attended the programme considered as the largest of such in the whole of the South East and no bad news of insecurity was recorded.”

He added: “Everybody was happy and people re-established their confidence in the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the State. It is a milestone that has further positively marketed Imo State to the outside world.”

Responding, Governor Uzodimma expressed happiness that the man of God visited him, noting that “the coming of the Zion Church Worldwide to Imo State comes with a lot of advantages.”

“It will bring a lot of economic development and increase the dire need to make Imo a tourism hub for the South East and Nigeria in general.

“The programme at Ngor Okpala has further showcased the State to the whole world that Imo is safe and secured,” Governor Uzodimma said.

While encouraging the Evangelist to remain steadfast in his calling, despite the challenges he must be facing, the Governor assured him of government’s support to realise his dream of coming to Imo State.

“Let me tell you that you are not alone. You must bear in mind that every profession goes with envy. Don’t envisage any problem. I can assure you and your team that I will talk to everyone in Imo State to understand that we need the presence of Ebuka Obi and his Ministry.”

The Governor insisted: “Imo needs the Ministry in the State and we will get the people to support you and your Ministry.”

Governor Uzodimma who expressed joy to be Evangelist Obi’s landlord said it is even heartwarming hearing that the celebrated Prophet, worldwide, hails from Imo State, adding, “Imo will cue behind him.”

“The State is looking for a day when that place will be developed economically, socially, educationally and otherwise like Elele in Rivers State, resulting from the works of Fr. Edeh,” the Governor noted.

The highlight of the visit was the offering of prayer and blessing to Government House Staff who came around to welcome and bid him farewell.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere and other members of the State expanded Executive Council joined the Governor in receiving Evangelist Obi and his entourage.

South-East governors and lawmakers representing the region in the National Assembly have stepped in to help students from the region benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Kalu assured students from the region that the issues would be resolved and they would soon be included in the Federal Government’s student loan programme.

The assurance followed concerns raised by the South-East caucus in the National Assembly over the alleged exclusion of the region after the Nigerian Education Loan Fund released the list of institutions eligible for the loan nationwide.

The release by NELFUND showed that institutions in the North took advantage of the programme, as well as those in the South-West and South-South.

However, no institution from the South-East had benefited from the fund initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The development generated reactions on social media, as NELFUND had to clarify that no institution in the southeast had done its verification on its platform.

In a statement on Monday, the Deputy Speaker noted that his office had engaged with the authorities responsible for the student loans and expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved in the coming days.

Kalu said during the engagements, it was identified that low student registration from the South-East and errors in completing relevant forms, such as missing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board results, were the primary reasons for the region’s exclusion.

He noted that affected institutions in the South-East had since taken steps to address the issues.

“The governors of the region are also actively involved in increasing the number of participating students, and members of the National Assembly have been encouraged to reach out to their constituents for immediate compliance,” he said.

To raise awareness, he said his office had initiated several measures, including the production of jingles in English, Igbo, and Pidgin English, which would be aired on various radio stations across the region.

He said Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, had 2,543 eligible students, but none could apply due to missing JAMB numbers.

For Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, only 406 applications were submitted out of the 21,342 students.

In Abia State University, Uturu, there was no application from the 17,928 eligible students, while for the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with 40,769 eligible students, only 781 had applied.

In the University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Enugu, with 610 eligible students, only 34 applications were made while at the Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, none of the nine eligible students applied.

Only 11 applications were received from the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, out of 2,491 eligible students; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, had 930 applications from 19,221 eligible students, while Ebonyi State University with 15,622 eligible students had 331 applications.

There were 28 applications from David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, out of 831 eligible students, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana had 188 applications from 4,774 eligible students, while none of the 128 eligible students of the Federal College of Education, Isu, had applied.

In Imo State, there were 1,114 applications from the 27,371 eligible students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; 14 applications from the 736 eligible students of the Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, while only 11 applied out of 1,109 eligible students of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, among others.

Many filling stations operated by independent oil marketers have now fixed the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, at between N900 and N1,000/litre.

Owners of these stations seem not to care about the cost of the product at retail outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Petrol prices at NNPC stations range from N568 to N617/litre. This often leads to queues at the stations.

As Nigerians raise concerns about the high cost of the commodity by independent petrol dealers, the Federal Government has also vowed to shut down filling stations that will be caught dispensing PMS at exorbitant rates.

It declared this through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, stressing that it was not in the interest of Nigerians for marketers to profiteer in the sales of PMS.

Independent oil marketers claimed that they’ve been buying petrol from private depot owners for as high as N850/litre since last week and that this was why the pump prices were high.

However, the spokesperson of the NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, argued that the petrol price reports that the regulator gets from its officials at the depots were different.

“Our depot people see a different price because we ask them to publish the prices at the depots every day and it is not N850/litre. Our field agents at the depots give us a different figure,” he said.

When told that some filling stations operated by independent marketers in Lagos and many other states dispense their products for as high as N900 and N1,000/litre, the NMDPRA official said such outlets would be brought to book if apprehended.

“If we get these outlets, all we do is to try and shut them down, because NNPC is the company that brings in the product and they tell us how much they sell as their ex-depot prices to off-takers. And we sit down together and work out the margins and there is no way it should be that high,” Ene-Ita declared.

Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Tuesday named two former top-ranking security officials responsible for the extraordinary rendition of the Biafra agitator.

Ejimakor stated that the immediate past Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, and the ex-Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, were responsible for Kanu’s extraordinary rendition.

Kanu was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.

The IPOB leader had left Nigeria after being granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu fled Nigeria in 2017 after the Nigerian Army invaded his residence in the Afaraukwu area of Abia State.

After an extensive search, the IPOB leader was arrested and subjected to extraordinary rendition from Kenya.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has replaced Rufai and Bichi with Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed and Adeola Ajayi.

However, posting on X, Ejimakor wrote: “Do you know that Ahmed Rufai, who just resigned as DG, NIA, and Yusuf Bichi, who was yesterday replaced as DG, DSS, were vicariously responsible for the extraordinary rendition of MAZI NNAMDI KANU? Who is next? #TouchNotMyAnointed.”

A pro-democracy group in Abia State, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has criticized the two chambers of the National Assembly Education Committees for excluding South-East universities from the disbursement of loans to students across the 19 tertiary institutions under the recently launched Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The group expressed concern over the silence maintained by the education committees of both chambers of parliament regarding the deliberate omission of the South-East from the loan scheme.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the group’s Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and made available to newsmen.

According to the statement, the group finds it worrisome and regrettable that the only legislative intervention so far has come from the Southeast National Assembly caucus, even though the intervention of the whole house or the education committee of either chamber could have given the issue a national appeal, providing assurance to the people, particularly student applicants from the region, that there was no sinister plot to marginalize, exclude, or relegate them, as has been the case in the past.

The statement reads: “FENRAD recalls that during the Jonathan presidency, the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovations and Development (PRESSID) was launched to place qualified first-class graduates of the nation on scholarship abroad, who were to be absorbed back into Nigeria’s cadre, forming the potential drivers and agents of development.

“Sadly for the region, when the Buhari presidency took office in 2015, the president stopped the scheme because the North was allegedly not adequately represented in the program. This was how Nigeria jettisoned competence for a parochial pursuit.

“FENRAD recalls that a majority of those affected by the scrapping of PRESSID were South Easterners who had already secured admission to further their studies in universities abroad. Had the criteria for qualification been based on catchment or quota, perhaps the scheme would not have been revoked.

“Following the unceremonious end of PRESSID, another tertiary education policy was inaugurated under Buhari, this time under the name: ‘Education for Change; Ministerial Plan 2018-2022.’ Under this policy, 10 specialized universities were built by the federal government across the thirty-six states in Nigeria in 2021, with none sited in the Southeast.

“This exclusion was later mitigated by the claim that the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), was to benefit from an ongoing federal government upgrade. Not much has been said about this upgrade years later.

“FENRAD also regrets that some universities in the Southeast have yet to complete their verification to enable them to have full access to NELFUND, with some Southeast universities like Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), which did complete their verification, still experiencing technical glitches for weeks until Friday of last week when this matter had already dominated all news platforms.

The Orlu Regional Assembly USA Inc  (ORAUSA) a socio cultural organization of indigenes of Orlu zone resident in the United States of America have concluded their annual Convention held in Boston, Massachusetts from June 19 to June 23, 2024.

The convention as usual started with welcoming of the accredited delegates and their families by the ORAUSA National President, Dr Uzo Unegbu and visit to selected national monuments and points of attraction within the hosts area.

On Friday June 21, the convention was officially declared open with a meeting of the House of Delegates in the morning and a cultural night in the evening with the ORAUSA grand patron, Chief Achike Udenwa, former governor of Imo State and other dignitaries from Nigeria and other countries in attendance.

The convention House of Delegates agreed to continue with the primary objectives of the association towards human and infrastructural development of Orlu zone in the areas of promotion of Health Care, Economic  empowerment, Education and ICT.

The convention further approved the continuation of their humanitarian programs and major projects in Orlu zone such as the Medical Mission, Homeland Summit, Youth Empowerment and Micro Finance.

The high point of the convention was the unanimous approval of the construction of a multimillion naira multipurpose building with a medical center and residential facilities in Orlu town.

This ambitious project will include rural mobile medical clinic centered on public enlightenment and health education for sustainable health care delivery.

Other high points of the 2024 convention was the election of officers to run the affairs of the ORAUSA Advisory Board of Directors for three years in which the following personalities were elected.

President – Chief, Dr Bona Onye, Secretary – Sir Francis Udeji and Parliamentarian – Mrs Ijeoma Odueze.

The Imo State government delegation was ably led by His Royal Majesty, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and included, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Hon Commissioner for Works, Chief Nwabueze Oguchienti, Hon Commissioner for Power and Rt Hon Kennis  Moore Nwachukwu (Omeogo), Member Federal House of Representatives.

In his message, the governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma congratulated members of Orlu Regional Assembly, USA on their 24th Annual Convention.

The governor assured them of his continued support for their programs back home and made a handsome financial donation to the association.

In his speech, Hon Kennis Moore Nwachukwu urged members of ORAUSA  to support the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma in view of the numerous commendable works the governor is doing in Imo State.

Hon Nwachukwu pledged to sink a water borehole in the location of the ORAUSA multipurpose building project in Orlu in addition to providing electricity transformer and solar street lights.

In his response, the ORAUSA National President, Dr Uzo Unegbu thanked Rt. Hon Nwachukwu for his very kind gesture.

He on behalf of the association expressed special gratitude to the governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma for what he called his positive engagement with ORAUSA since he assumed office as governor of Imo State which he said resonates well with the generality of the members of ORAUSA and assured the governor of their continued support and partnership in his efforts to develop Imo State and wished him well in the onerous task of governance.

The ORAUSA National President, Dr Uzo Unegbu (Omekannaya) commended everyone that attended the convention and wished them safe journey back to their respective abodes as the hosting flag officially passed from the 2024 Convention hosts, Boston, Massachusetts to the New York affiliate  who are the 2025 ORAUSA  Convention hosts.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu has stated that up to 51% of farming areas in Nigeria are liable to flooding in 2024.

He stated this during the Agricultural Insurance Train-the-Trainer Workshop which held in Abuja recently where the Minister stated that integration of the Agricultural Insurance Scheme into the NAGS-AP program was intended to safeguard the investments and interventions made by both the government and the financing partners against risk such as flooding.

Abdullahi noted that the risks had become central concerns for the government, financiers, and beneficiary farmers, who are the most vulnerable to bad harvests.

He added that such adverse conditions could erase investments, and the labor invested in the program, leading to significant food price inflation, as is currently being observed.

The Minister also highlighted an unfortunate incident during the 2023 wet farming season, where ginger farmers in Kaduna suffered significant losses due to an outbreak of the ginger blight disease, resulting in the loss of over 90% of their total harvest for the season.

He stated, It was estimated that Nigerian ginger farmers incurred losses amounting to N12 billion due to the catastrophic blight epidemic that decimated their crops in 2023. That is some food for thought and something that we all have to bear in mind; as we are at all times one or two bad harvest seasons away from losing our food supplies.

Furthermore, guidance from the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook report, recently released by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in the first quarter of this year, has alerted us that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 31 states are high flood-risk areas, while 249 LGAs in 36 States and the FCT fall within moderate flood-risk areas.

In simple terms, 397 LGAs out of the total 774 LGAs in Nigeria, representing over 51% of our farming areas, are at risk of flooding.

What you should know

In a related report, the Jigawa State Emergency Agency has disclosed that recent floods have destroyed over 2,000 hectares of farmland across the state.

Further reports of floods damaging farmlands and residential apartments nationwide could exacerbate the ongoing cost of living crisis and heighten food insecurity. Such events could also hinder efforts to boost food production as the dry season approaches.

Experts have observed that the current high food prices in the country are a lingering effect of the 2022 floods, which severely impacted regions, particularly in the Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast, and Niger Delta areas.

“A few hours ago, the Supreme Court confirmed me as the duly elected Governor of Imo State, arising from the November 11th, 2023 governorship election.

“It is, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I thank God Almighty for granting me another victory after I had also emerged victorious at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal

“I express my gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by those who wanted sentiments to obfuscate justice.

“When Imo people overwhelmingly reelected me last year as their Governor, it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state.

“During my second tenure inauguration, I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God.

“Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, I rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo State.

“To my brothers who contested with me during the election, I re-invite them to join me in the task of reinventing Imo to the state of our shared dreams. My doors will continue to remain open to all Imo people genuinely committed to the betterment of our society.

“Now that all issues pertaining to the election have been resolved, let us all work for the peace and progress of our dear State.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it recently issued a 21-day strike notice because the federal government has consistently failed on its promises to address the lingering issues hindering the development of Nigeria’s universities.

ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, was at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Abia where he disclosed the outcome of ASUU’s national executive council (NEC) meeting.

The meeting was held between August 17 and August 18 at the University of Ibadan.

The union is to reconvene at the expiration of the 21-day notice to decide on the imminent strike.

Osodeke said the federal and state governments have seemingly refused to address all the issues that prompted ASUU’s previous strikes.

He said the NEC has received “alarming reports” on the failed promises the government made during the 2022 strike.

He rejected the “slow pace of the intervention” by the minister of education in resolving those issues.

Osodeke cited the review and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, the demand for impactful funding, and the need for an emergency revitalisation fund for public universities.

He cited the payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions targeted at its members.

Osodeke said ASUU is also aggrieved about illegal recruitments, the proliferation of public universities, and the abuse of university laws.

Also demanded is the removal of the universities from the Treasury Single Account and the IPPIS to aid university autonomy.

The ASUU president said the union has declared September 10 to solidarise with its members “unjustly persecuted” across universities in Nigeria.

Nigerian woman named Oyindamola Akinyera recently had an extraordinary experience, giving birth to a baby girl while on a flight to Brazil.

Akinyera took to Instagram to announce the surprising event, explaining that she and her partner were on a trip to Brazil for their “Honeymoon and Babymoon” when she unexpectedly went into labor mid-flight.

Despite the unexpected circumstances, the couple safely welcomed their baby girl aboard the plane.

In a lengthy post via her Instagram page, she described how the flight attendants took on the role of “personal midwives” and a doctor on board, identified as Carolina, assisted with the delivery.

Akinyera shared that she delivered her baby girl just 20 minutes before the plane touched down.

Upon landing in Brazil, she immediately went to the hospital, where she confirmed that both she and her newborn daughter were doing well.

The post partly read, “The pains kept waking me up and the Qatar airways hostess (my personal midwives) sprung into action. They set up a whole birthing station for me at the entrance of the plane.

“Everything was happening so fast and all I was thinking is that I have to hold on till we land to have this baby.

“They asked if there was any doctor on board and a doctor called Carolina walked up to us and is like “I deliver babies”. She checks me, tells me I’m fully dilated and the baby is ready to come. At this point, we’re in Brazilian airspace and about 40 mins from landing.

“… Midway, I got tired and tell them I can’t do it anymore and my God sent Qatar airways crew aka midwives prayed over me to keep going.

“20 mins before landing, God blessed us with the most precious baby girl. We landed in Brazil safely and headed straight to the hospital where our beautiful baby girl and I are doing great.”

The heartwarming story has garnered significant attention online, with many people offering their congratulations and well-wishes to Oyindamola for her memorable and joyous experience.

The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an ex-parte order restraining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from holding its scheduled congresses in Rivers State.

The court ordered that the national leadership of the APC led by its Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and its Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola-Basiru should not go ahead to conduct the ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled for 11th, 16th, and 26th October 2024.

Other defendants in the suits filed by Peter Ohochukwu, Haija Ndidi-Chukwuma for themselves and all elected executive members of APC in the state were the APC, Inspector-General of Police, Nigerian Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Godwin Ollor in his ruling on the ex-parte motion also restrained the defendants either for themselves, their men, officers, or agents from conducting, supervising, holding, monitoring, or in any other manner conducting elections to make up Rivers State executive committee.

Justice Ollor insisted that his ruling was based on the merit of the application and oral application by the plaintiffs’ Lawyer, Collins Dike.

The judge also restrained the national leadership of the party against any plan to suspend the Emeka Beke-led executives of the party in the state.

The court further restrained the National Chairman of APC, the Secretary, and the APC from doing anything to interfere in the activities of the elected executive of APC in the state led by Chief Beke pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice for interlocutory injection.

Justice Ollor adjourned till September 9, 2024, for a hearing of motion on notice.