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At the start of the session, the audience kept increasing by seconds. But, they were attentive and curious. The newly opened exhibition hall of Quintessence Gallery, on Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria, Island, Lagos, provided the ambience for the spontaneous illustrations performances. For three hours, Chamberlin Ukenedo, a visual artist cum Creative Director, Nitro121, kept his drawing pads busy, churning out images and forms that resonate with the imagination of many. The session tagged The Artivation: A live sketching, and illustrations performance was the artist’s special platform to express social and political themes while exploring human emotions and societal issues within his Nigerian environment.

Ukenedo has participated in both solo and group art exhibitions, salons, and has hosted art soirees, contributing to the art scene within and outside Nigeria. His first show was a drawing exhibition titled Dots in motion, a collaboration with Ibe Ananaba at Quintessence, Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos in 2001.

He returned to Quintessence with The Artivation, a bold new format. Rather than presenting finished pieces, he invited audiences into the heart of his creative process. Through live feeds, spontaneous creation, and direct interaction, he transformed the gallery into a living canvas-where viewers become part of the art’s evolution.

Chamber (as he is fondly called) is known for his work as a painter, illustrator, and cartoonist, often creating art that reflects his personal experiences and the complexities of the environment he lives in. He uses storytelling to address social issues. He is a versatile artist from the craft generation, working as a visual artist and as a Communications expert.

His words capture the spirit of this transformation: ‘Instead of his viewers standing in front of a frame, they’ll be part of the frame’s creation.’ It’s a call to experience art not just as a product, but as a shared moment of vulnerability, creativity, and connection.

‘Whenever I want to draw, I see quite a lot of crazy things.

So, in my dynamic images, I can throw up an image, and keep in mind for instance the story of him and the daughter. The story was about when I took a walk with my daughter who never hesitated to join me..a function of trust,’ he recalled of his experience he transferred on paper.

He noted that the skull remains a friend of the structure that he created. ‘So, once I had that understanding, I saw a different life,’ he said.

To demonstrate his skill in illustrations, he called on any member of the audience to sign or draw any image on his pad, which he skillfully turned into any image unimagined by the writer. Effortlessly, he developed a signature into a drawing everyone can identify with.

Other forms and images that dominate his sketches include football, abstract figures. In fact, he is literarily obsessed with images around football, a game he played as a young man. Recalling his experience during a football competition, he identified the use of non-existing code name as a strategy the opponent used to defeat his team.

‘I want to play with that football slowly. I compete a lot in football, I like the spirit and turning the mask away from me or turning the mask away and repeating what I prejudged that wasn’t real,’ he said as he illustrated some images around football on his white sketch pad.

Disc jockey Nonso Temisan Ajufo, popularly known as DJ Big N, has expressed concern over what he described as the worst decline in Afrobeats’ global influence in two decades.

Speaking in a recent interview with Echo Room, DJ Big N blamed both artists and music executives for compromising the genre’s quality in their quest to appeal to international audiences.

He criticised the increasing dilution of Afrobeats’ original sound, saying it has resulted in less authentic and lower-quality music that fails to connect with global listeners.

‘The uniqueness of Afrobeats is what made the world fall in love with it,’ he said, stressing the need to preserve the genre’s authenticity.

Citing journalist Joey Akan’s views, DJ Big N argued that exporting an inauthentic product is unsustainable, noting that ‘no one can beat Americans at being American or making hip-hop.’

He also highlighted the issue of rising performance fees among Afrobeats artists, which he said have made many acts unaffordable even within Nigeria.

DJ Big N urged Nigerian artists to re-evaluate their creative direction and pricing models, warning that without a shift in approach, Afrobeats risks losing its hard-won global prominence.

‘Afrobeats right now is at its worst position in the last 20 years. And everyone, from musicians to music executives, has a part to play. The quality of music.you have to understand that the quality of the product is important in every way.

‘Joey Akan said they wanted us for our originality. Always remember that whatever you want to export has to be original, first and foremost. If you tried to export something else, it’s only a matter of time. You can’t sell Hip-Hop to Americans, that’s their genre. We have to embrace our originality,’ he expressed.

The leadership of the House of Representatives has moved to end the lingering rift between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The House resolved to seek a lasting solution, following a motion sponsored by Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency.

On Sunday, ASUU embarked on a two-week warning strike pending the Federal Government’s resolve to meet the demands listed in its agreement with the union.

The government, in response to the warning strike, announced a ‘no work, no pay’ policy while admonishing lecturers to return to classrooms.

But in his motion, Whingan urged the parties to embrace dialogue and prioritise the interests of students who he said were at the receiving end of the faceoff.

Reacting to the motion, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said he would lead an ad hoc committee to mediate between the Federal Government and the union.

The lawmakers called for the establishment of a sustainable joint consultative platform, which would be recognised by both parties for future engagements and communication.

He stressed that the warning strike, among other industrial actions previously taken by academic workers’ unions, has continued to impede the lives of students across government-owned tertiary schools in the country.

Describing the university system as the bedrock of Nigeria’s development, Whingan said strike actions have derailed several research works and heightened frustration among students, parents and lecturers.

He said incessant strikes in Nigeria’s institutions have also contributed to brain drain, an increased number of student dropouts, and reduced confidence in the country’s academic system.

According to him, the government and the union must embrace dialogue anchored on transparency and mutual respect for all parties to bring a lasting solution to the challenge.

Also, stakeholders, under the aegis of the Future Nigeria Movement (FNM), have criticised the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for its continued use of strikes as the main means to interact with the Federal Government.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by its National Leader, Livingstone Wechie, the group described ASUU’s approach as unpatriotic and detrimental to national development.

FNM urged the union to embrace dialogue instead of resorting to industrial actions to gain attention.

‘The recent declaration of a two-week warning strike will further drown the educational fortunes of what is left of Nigeria,’ it said.

The group expressed concern that the latest strike came at a time ASUU had acknowledged a severe intellectual crisis in public universities, citing the exit of 309 professors across the country as ‘an intellectual haemorrhage’ threatening the sector’s survival.

FNM urged the Federal Government to treat ASUU’s demands as a national priority but insisted that both parties must explore alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms to prevent further disruption of academic activities.

Also, there were indications yesterday that the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun; the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUAA), and the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, all in Ogun State, have joined the ASUU strike, as directed by the union’s leadership.

ASUU members in TASUED, in compliance with the national directive of ASUU, have stayed away from the lecture rooms pending the expiration of the 14-day warning strike, which commenced on Monday.

Also, at the University of Ibadan (UI), ASUU Chairman, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, faulted the Federal Government’s decision to enforce its ‘no-work, no-pay’ policy, describing it as a panicky and knee-jerk response.

Afolabi spoke with The Nation on the ongoing 14-day warning strike, stating that the government’s approach would not resolve the crisis.

He urged the government to convene a meeting with the union and sign the draft agreement submitted by the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed committee.

‘This warning strike could have been avoided if the report submitted to the Minister of Education in February 2025 had been signed,’ Afolabi stated.

Also, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has directed vice chancellors to strictly implement the ‘no-work, no-pay’ directive against striking ASUU members.

He also ordered physical headcounts of lecturers present at work, saying the National Universities Commission (NUC) would monitor compliance and submit a consolidated report to the ministry.

Alausa expressed disappointment that ASUU embarked on the strike despite government’s appeal for dialogue.

The minister announced that most of the union’s demands had been addressed.

What is the qualifying length of service for Pension and Gratuity?

The qualifying length of service for gratuity is now five years, while pension is 10 years with effect from June 1, 1992. Before then, the qualifying length of service for gratuity and pension was 10 and 15 years respectively. An officer who retires voluntarily after qualifying years of service cannot draw pension until he attains the age of 45.

What are the circumstances under which Pension and Gratuity may be granted?

Section 3 (1) and (2) of the Pension Decree No. 102 of 1979 stipulates the circumstances under which pension and gratuity may be granted are on voluntary retirement or withdrawal after qualifying years of service; statutory retirement where the officer attains the statutory age of 60 years or has worked for 35 years on a pensionable appointment; compulsory retirement on the advice of a properly constituted Medical Board certifying that the officer is no longer mentally or physically capable of carrying out the functions of his office; total permanent disability while in service; or on abolition of office under section 7 of Pension Decree No. 102 of 1979 Judicial Officers of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

What is the guaranteed period for pension?

Five years is the guaranteed period for pension under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). A pensioner who retires and he is qualified for pension is to earn pension for life but where the pensioner dies less than five years after his retirement, the balance of five-year guaranteed pension will be paid to his Next of Kin (NOK) on voluntary retirement or withdrawal after qualifying years of service.

Why is verification necessary?

It is necessary for PTAD to carry out Verification Exercise to ascertain the proof of life and create a credible database of all pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). PTAD did not inherit a credible pensioners’ database, there is therefore an urgent need to verify all pensioners under the DBS to enable PTAD resolve their complaints.

The verification of pensioners is aimed at the establishment of an accurate, credible, and digitised database of pensioners under DBS and for complaint resolution; eliminating duplicate payments and ghost pensioners; regularising anomalies such as over payments and under payments; obtaining relevant work records to ensure accurate computation of pension payment; updating the records of the Next Of Kin (NOK) for payment of death benefit.

What documents are needed for verification?

Documents required for verification may vary from one pension group to another. For parastatal pensioners, a pensioner needs Letter of First Appointment, Letter of Confirmation; Letter of Last Promotion; Approved Letter of Retirement; Evidence of Change of Name (where applicable); Evidence of Transfer of Service where applicable; BVN Registration Slip (stamped and signed by the bank; Original and Stamped Bank Statement for the last one month; Valid means of Identification like Driving Licence, Int’l Passport, National ID Card or Voters Registration Card; Due Pensioners Birth Certificate/Sworn Affidavit of Age; and Disengaged Retirees Evidence of Payment of Gratuity/ Severance Pay Slip

Civil Service Pensioners are required to present Letter/Gazette of 1st appointment; Letter/Gazette of confirmation of appointment; Letter/Gazette of last Promotion; Letter/Notice of retirement approved by a competent Authority; Severance Pay slip(Disengaged Retirees only); Evidence of change of name (Where applicable); Duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank statement on the Bank letterhead from period of retirement or date from which complaint was made till date; Computation Sheet duly stamped and signed by The state Auditor (State Pensioners with Federal Share); Birth Certificate/Age Declaration (Due Pensioners only); 1 coloured Passport Photograph; and Approval Letter of Merger/Condonation from Head of service OHCF (For those who merged their service).

Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensioners are to present Letter/Gazette of 1st appointment; Letter/Gazette of confirmation of appointment; Letter/Gazette of last Promotion; Original Stamped and Signed Bank; Approval Letter of Merger/Condonation of Service (Where Applicable); Evidence of Change of Name (Where applicable); Birth Certificate/Age Declaration (Due Pensioners only); Letter/Acceptance of Retirement; Severance Pay Slip(For Downsized Officers); and Identity Card

Police Pensioners are to resend Letter of Enlistment; Letter of Approval of Retirement; Pension Advice; Letter of Merger of Service (for demoted officers); Current Bank Statement; Letter of Identification/Introduction; Letter/Gazette of confirmation; Letter/Gazette of last Promotion; Identity Card.

Real estate firm, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, has dismissed as false and misleading, a recent publication alleging that it had disowned one of its directors, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah.

A statement yesterday by company secretary, described the report credited to Adeniran Olatokunbo Ogunmuyiwa as ‘riddled with falsehood’ and an attempt to mislead the public on the ownership and management structure of the firm.

It said the legitimate directors of Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited as recorded with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are: Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr. Victor Quainoo, and Mr. Jonah Nathaniel. The company stressed that anyone else claiming to act on its behalf was doing so fraudulently.

Although Ogunmuyiwa was initially a shareholder and director, the firm clarified that he voluntarily exited the company following a Heads of Agreement signed on June 1, 2012, and a Special Resolution dated April 9, 2013, relinquishing his 20 percent shareholding.

His resignation, the company added, was formalized in 2017.

‘As part of his exit package, Mr. Ogunmuyiwa was granted development rights over 94.8 hectares of land in River Park and an additional 45 hectares for settlement of company creditors, which he failed to fulfill,’ the company alleged.

It also stated that since 2014, Mr. Kojo Ansah Mensah has been the sole signatory to all company accounts domiciled in Zenith Bank, UBA, and Wema Bank, overseeing salary payments, tax remittances, pension deductions and building permit fees.

The company further distanced itself from a purported lawsuit filed against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Chief Anthony Malik (SAN), insisting that neither its board nor its directors authorized such legal action.

‘We challenge Chief Malik to show proof that any payments received as legal fees came from the official accounts of Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited,’ the statement read.

The firm urged the media and the public to verify any claims regarding its ownership or representation through CAC records, warning against being misled by unauthorized individuals.

Attached to the statement were certified CAC documents, Ogunmuyiwa’s resignation letter, his exit agreement, and bank statements confirming payments to his consulting firm.

The Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jimoh Saliu, has unveiled plans to tackle environmental challenges in the council.

Speaking during a Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the council’s Secretariat, Saliu said the council was set to recruit street sweepers and enforce anti-grazing laws, amongst others to tackle environmental challenges.

‘As part of the renewed effort, the council will distribute over 12,000 waste nylon bags to households and conduct a general street-clearing exercise to improve environmental cleanliness,’ he said

He said the existing street sweepers were not enough, thus, necessitating the recruitment of more sweepers to enhance street cleaning across the council.

He lamented that unrestricted movement of animals makes the environment dirty, noting that such practices must stop.

‘I have told people that ruminant animals like cows should be kept in safe places and not allowed to roam around because their droppings make our surroundings dirty,’ he said.

He lamented the persistent waste disposal challenges and poor sanitation affecting several communities.

He urged residents to pay the necessary fee, warning that anyone caught violating the sanitation laws would face the wrath of the law.

‘Residents must cooperate by paying their waste levies to support the waste disposal vans. Anyone who fails to comply with environmental sanitation rules will face the full wrath of the law. Everyone is equal under the law,’ he added.

The Director of Environmental Services, Matthew Aganano, said that the council’s main strategy involves engaging directly with community members to encourage proper waste management.

‘We organised this meeting to sensitise residents on the benefits of maintaining a clean environment and to promote cooperation with LAWMA-approved PSP operators. This will improve the aesthetic value of our surroundings and ensure we live in a healthy environment,’ Matthew said.

He, however, lamented that some residents refuse to pay for waste collection, while area boys often obstruct PSP operators.

He assured that inefficient operators would be reported to LAWMA for replacement and urged residents to embrace recycling and waste sorting, emphasising that ‘waste is no longer just waste – it can generate income.’

Leader of the House, Adigun Haruna, noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering collaboration between the government, PSP operators, and residents.

‘Cleanliness is next to godliness. Our people must understand that dumping refuse in unauthorised places is dangerous to health. We must all play our part in keeping our surroundings clean,’ he said.

A community leader, Shade Akinbusoye, while calling for more public enlightenment on proper waste disposal, lamented irregular waste collection in some areas.

‘Public awareness is not sufficient. More sensitisation should be done about waste management. As a community leader and landlady, I am willing to participate in any initiative that promotes cleanliness,’ she said.

She, however, complained about irregular waste collection in areas such as Karimokweluyeru, Ajowa, Aisha, and parts of Obale, where PSP operators rarely visit despite demanding payment.

Another community leader, Ojo Afolabi, described the current state of waste management in the LCDA as ‘nothing to write home about.’

He commended the council chairman for organising the meeting and urged residents to desist from patronising illegal cart pushers who dump waste in canals.

‘With this awareness, I believe there will be improvement within the LCDA. Cleanliness is next to godliness,’ Afolabi said.

Google and the World Bank Group have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation across emerging markets.

The collaboration, unveiled on Wednesday, focuses on deploying Open Network Stacks, which act like digital infrastructure to help citizens access vital services.

In a statement, the organisations said the alliance seeks to ‘unlock inclusive growth and empower communities by making digital public infrastructure accessible, interoperable, and AI-enabled.’

‘By combining Google Cloud’s AI technology, including its Gemini models, with the World Bank Group’s development expertise, the initiative helps governments quickly create interoperable networks for critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and skilling.

‘Citizens can interact with these AI-powered services in over 40 languages, even on simple devices.

‘The collaboration builds on a successful pro bono pilot in Uttar Pradesh in India that helped thousands of smallholder farmers increase profitability.

‘To foster a sustainable and open ecosystem, Google.org is providing funding to the new nonprofit Networks for Humanity (NFH), to build universal digital infrastructure (Beckn open network and Finternet asset tokenization), establish regional innovation labs, and pilot social impact applications globally.’

Former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji has urged governors and council chairmen at the state and grassroots levels to complement the giant strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He urged the Houses of Assembly and Nigerians should take their governors and council chairmen to task over the huge gap in increased allocations and accomplishments.

Ikuforiji told reporters in Lagos that President Tinubu is being erroneously held responsible for the lapses in governance at the states and local governments.

He said:’Governors and local government chairmen who collect huge money from the Federation Account should complement the efforts of the Federal Government at the lower levels.’

Ikuforiji, teacher, economist, and lawyer, said: ‘People should demand accountability from governors and council chairmen. The Houses of Assembly should take the governors to task over performance.’

The former Speaker praised President Tinubu for hitting the ground running, following his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

He said the heroic feats of the President, which prepared him for the current assignment, should not be forgotten.

Ikuforiji recalled that Asiwaju Tinubu turned around the fortune of Lagos State and fought the infrastructure battle with vigour.

The ex-Speaker noted that the President maintained his vision and sense of direction.

Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Adebayo Olasoju, has inspired youngsters at a career and lifestyle development program organised by Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

The event, tagged ‘Harness Your Dream’, is aimed at providing robust guidance and mentorship for young individuals.

The event had in attendance the management of Promasidor Nigeria Limited led by the Managing Director, Mr. Francois Gillet among other notable individuals.

As one of the guest speakers at the event, held at the Multipurpose Hall of Oshodi-Isolo, Olasoju emphasized the importance of self-discovery and self-belief for future leaders, urging the participants all of whom are Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 pupils selected across public schools to identify their passions and set goals in life.

Sharing his personal experiences and political trajectory, Olasoju advised them never to let their background or circumstances limit their imagination or aspirations, stressing that no dream is too big or too small to achieve.

Highlighting education as a major pathway to a bright future, the council boss urged the youngsters to remain focused on their studies and strive for excellence in their examinations, assuring them that diligence and discipline always yield lasting rewards.

‘Your journey to greatness in life begins with self-discovery and believes in your capabilities. Set ambitious goals starting with your academics by coming out with flying colors. As a government, we are doing all we can to support your educational pursuit and we won’t spare any expense. Tertiary education has been made a lot easier. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), an initiative of the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government is there for you take advantage of. The onus is on you to make every investment made by government, your parents and even Promasidor; our host today, count as it’s our desire to see you become great in life,’ Olasoju said.

The council boss referenced some individuals who are doing well for themselves as he urged the pupils to take a cue from their success stories as motivation.

He thanked Promasidor for the laudable initiative, noting that the event aligns with his administration’s robust educational policy.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened its inroads into the Southeast yesterday with the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah into its fold.

The party rolled out the red carpet to welcome Mbah, now the third APC governor in the five-state geopolitical zone.

From Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the reception, to National Chairman Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) Chairman Hope Uzodimma, top party leaders and former governors turned out before a huge crowd to receive Mbah and his team.

Governor Mbah said his defection was not driven by fear but by a desire to lead Enugu and its people toward prosperity and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda.

‘We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect, and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours,’ he said.

Describing President Tinubu as ‘a partner in purpose and a leader with the courage to make tough choices for lasting prosperity,’ Mbah said his administration’s development philosophy aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Earlier in a town hall meeting, Mbah formally announced his defection before national and local APC officials, elected representatives, and political appointees.

APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, Deputy National Chairman (North) Alhaji Ali Dalori, and his southern counterpart Chief Emma Eneukwu were present.

The main event followed in the afternoon, where Shettima, Yilwatda, and other leaders formally received the governor.

Shettima described the day as ‘a great day for the nation and for Ndigbo,’ quoting Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui, who once likened the Igbo to ‘the Nigerian Jews – mobile, enterprising, and ambitious.’

‘With the coming of Governor Peter Mbah, and with the continuous energy being exhibited by Governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe Ndigbo have come back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics,’ Shettima said.

He praised Mbah as ‘a progressive through and through,’ declaring him APC’s new leader in Enugu State.

‘From our constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in his state. You are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu. We are one big family tied in a common destiny,’ he said.

Shettima said defections by opposition party members do not only reflect deep cracks in their camps but underscore the strength of the APC.

He said: ‘Much has been said about the ongoing wave of defections to our great party.

‘What the opposition has failed to do is look into the mirror to ask why the APC remains the preferred destination of Nigeria’s most visionary political actors.

‘Their departures are not accidents; they reveal the cracks in the walls they built and the strength of the bridges we have constructed.

”The APC has become a political home where ideas find expression, where ambitions find direction, and where patriotism finds partnership.’

Akpabio, Abbas, Yilwatda, others speak

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC Chairman Yilwatda, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Governors Uzodimma and Nwifuru said Mbah’s defection marked a new political chapter in the Southeast.

Presenting the party flag and symbolic broom to Mbah, Yilwatda said:

‘Your Excellency, take this broom and sweep out the remaining PDP members into the APC. Governor Mbah has taken his people from Egypt to the promised land – from depression to progress.’

Akpabio hailed Mbah’s performance, saying:

‘What I’m seeing here, Enugu is even more beautiful than Abuja. The only place that compares is Akwa Ibom when I was governor,’ he joked, drawing laughter.

Speaker Abbas described the event as ‘a celebration of unity and expansion,’ saying APC was now positioned to take over the Southeast by 2027.

Uzodimma said the defection ‘further integrates the Southeast into national politics,’ while Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru urged Mbah to ‘forgive those who wronged you and carry everyone along.’

Former governors Rochas Okorocha, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Sullivan Chime, as well as former Senate President Ken Nnamani and PDP state chairman Martin Chukwunweike, attended the ceremony.

A scene to remember

The event began shortly after Shettima arrived at 4:13 p.m., accompanied by a powerful delegation of APC governors, National Assembly leaders, ministers, and other political figures, and virtually shut down parts of the state capital.

The number of vehicles conveying party faithful and guests caused gridlock along Presidential Road, Government House Avenue, Toscana Junction, and the High Court area of Independence Layout.

Thousands of residents, especially supporters, trooped out to witness what was described as a turning point in the political history of the Southeast, especially Enugu State.

Security was tight with combined teams of police, Department of State Security(DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The Ministry of Transport officials were on hand to manage the crowd on the major roads and the arena of the event.

Cultural troupes, frenzied drummers made the ceremony look like a carnival.