Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Police in Ebonyi State have arrested three suspects in connection with a gunshot incident that disrupted the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The incident occurred on Monday at the College of Agricultural Science campus during the announcement of election results, when gunshots were reportedly fired to disperse students.

According to the report, a student was hit by a stray bullet and rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, for urgent treatment.

Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, naming the suspects as Lawrence Azubuike, Ibe Kenneth, and Njoku Joshua. He added that a locally made pistol was recovered.

Ukandu said the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned after investigations.

He further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, has assured the public of the command’s commitment to peace and security, urging officers to remain professional and accountable while intensifying efforts to curb crime, especially as the festive season approaches.

The Akoko Youths Forum (AYF) in Ondo State has launched the distribution of business start-up tools and financial support to empower over 40 young entrepreneurs, in a bid to tackle unemployment and boost economic growth across Akokoland.

The empowerment programme held in Ugbe Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, formed part of the activities at the Forum’s annual summit, which attracted young business owners and community stakeholders.

President of the Forum, Engr. Blessing James Akeju described the initiative as a milestone in the Forum’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.

‘Today represents a historic moment in the history of this organization. We have been able to change the lives of 40 young persons in Akoko by empowering them to build a life for themselves,’ Akeju said, stressing that the support would enable beneficiaries to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

He further lauded the resilience of Akoko youths and assured them of the continued support of the Forum’s national executives.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Regent Tinuade Babalola, represented by Prince Temitope Obamuwagun, urged the youths to embrace peace and unity, noting that the development of Akoko depends largely on their collective resolve to work together.

Guest speaker at the summit, Dr. Bayo Fasunwon challenged the youths to maximize their talents, steer clear of vices such as cultism and internet fraud, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and academic pursuits.

He also reiterated his call for the creation of Ose State, which he argued would accelerate development and economic growth in the region.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Hon. Mutiu Olawale Mohammed, applauded the AYF leadership for initiating the empowerment scheme, which he said aligns with his vision of seeing young people thrive and live decently in society.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resolved the labour dispute between the Emohua Local Government Area and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state.

Fubara’s intervention followed the declaration of seven-day warning strike in all the 23 local government areas to protest the refusal of the state Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd to suspend the salaries of about 300 workers in his council.

The governor reportedly summoned Lloyd and the state leadership of NULGE to a meeting in Government House where he brokered a peace deal between the warring parties.

Speaking after the meeting, Lloyd thanked the state governor for his intervention saying Fubara issued a clear directive that brought them on the same page.

He said, ‘I have to in a very special way thank the Governor of Rivers State for his intervention in what would have been a disagreement between NULGE and management of Emohua Local Government Area

‘The governor has issued very clear directives and we are all on the same page. He has further directed that the Council and the Local Government Service Commission should take it further. We will come out very soon with all that we have agreed.

‘I also thank the President of NULGE for appealing to his workers to call off the strike. We will move forward, it is nothing personal, we just want to ensure transparency in the system. I want to commend the governor for being on the side of transparency’.

In his remarks, NULGE President, Rivers State, Clifford Paul, said the governor directed that the matter should be handled harmoniously.

‘So, on behalf of the State Council of NULGE I enjoin all our members to resume work. All the branch chairmen and the state officers are hereby directed to call off the strike’, he said.

The Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Israel Amadi, commended the governor for his intervention.

‘His Excellency has given his mandate and we want to use this opportunity to thank him for intervening. And we hope that everything that we have discussed and resolved will be implemented as we also thank NULGE for their collaboration and cooperation’, he said.