Governor Umo Eno Urges Akwa Ibom Univarsity To Create Entrepreneurial Studies Department

Governor Umo Eno urges Akwa Ibom Univarsity to create entrepreneurial studies department. Mr Umo Eno said a viable department of business and entrepreneurial studies would prepare students for a self-reliant life after school.

Governor Umo Eno has urged the authorities of Akwa Ibom State University to create a department of business and entrepreneurial studies.

Mr Eno made the call at the sixth, seventh and eighth combined convocation ceremony of the university in Mkpat Enin on Saturday.

Represented by his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi, the governor said a viable department of business and entrepreneurial studies would prepare students for a self-reliant life after school.

“We need to prepare our youths for the future by equipping them with the requisite skills to become business owners.

“I urge the university to take this message seriously, let it be a part of the academic expansion programmes. We must be cognizant of today’s reality,” he said.

He said that to succeed in today’s globalised world, one must develop business modules, learn how to market services, and understand the protocols of engagement.

The governor commended the vice-chancellor, Otoabasi Akpan, for the innovative programmes and policies being implemented in the university.

Akwa Ibom Univarsity

“The establishment of seven new faculties, and the approval of 69 new academic programmes by the Nigeria University Commission is worth commending,” he said.

Mr Eno congratulated the 3,836 graduands of the university for the passion and dedication shown during their respective programmes.

Earlier, Mr Akpan said the university had witnessed remarkable expansion from an initial eight faculties to 14, and from 43 undergraduate programmes to 66.

Media Team Commission Key Intervention Projects In Benue, As Infrastructure Push Gain Momentum

Media team commission key intervention projects in Benue, as infrastructure push gain momentum. The Federal Ministry of Works has concluded its Media Tour and Commissioning of Emergency/Special Intervention Projects in Benue State with the commissioning of key emergency and special intervention projects executed under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The tour, which forms part of the Ministry’s strategic effort to showcase progress on enhancing infrastructure and transportation as catalysts for national growth, covered several projects across the state, including the Katsina Ala–Takum, Katsina Ala–Calabar (Ushongo and Atihi), Old Makurdi–Wukari, Otukpo-Oshegbudu-Oweto, and the Makurdi-Otukpo-9th Mile-Enugu Roads. The rehabilitated sections of some of these roads were among the Federal Government’s special interventions aimed at addressing failures across the various alignments, improving connectivity, and stimulating socio-economic development.

At the Rehabilitation of the Katsina Ala–Takum Road, the Federal Controller of Works, Benue State, Engr. Mukaila Danladi, provided a detailed technical update on the project. He disclosed that work has progressed significantly, reaching binder and sub-base levels, with preparations underway for the execution of hydraulic structures. He further identified key challenges initially encountered by the contractor, Messrs Gerawa Global Engineering (Nigeria) Limited, including security concerns and operational constraints related to construction equipment, noting, however, that these issues are being addressed to sustain steady progress.

At Ushongo and Atihi communities, along the Katsina Ala–Calabar Road, where emergency repairs had been completed, the Controller explained that a 100-metre line drain has been constructed to mitigate persistent flooding that previously submerged the carriageway, causing severe washouts and restraining traffic. He noted that the corridor remains a critical route for the movement of agricultural produce and mineral resources, passing through key economic centers.

Providing professional validation on the completed interventions and the ongoing projects visited, representatives of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) commended the Federal Government for the quality of work delivered, as well as the pace and quality of ongoing works. “The levels of work delivered and ongoing reflect a strong commitment to engineering standards, safety, and long-term durability,” they attested.

Representing the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, the Chairman of the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Vincent Nyinongu, formally commissioned the Emergency and Special Intervention Projects, confirming the Federal Government’s resolve to prioritise infrastructure that directly impacts livelihoods by connecting people, goods, and services.

At a critically failed section in Agasha town, within Guma Local Government Area, flood mitigation and special repair works on the Old Makurdi–Wukari Road were also commissioned, further underscoring the administration’s responsiveness to climate-related infrastructure challenges.

Another emergency work commissioned was the Flood Mitigation and Repairs at KM 19 ( Ushongo) and KM 35 (Atihi) along the Katsina Ala – Calabar Road, a vital economic corridor supporting the transportation of agricultural produce and solid minerals from Benue State to other parts of the country. The project involves extensive pavement works and drainage infrastructure designed to improve durability and ensure all-weather accessibility and mobility.

The tour also covered the Dualisation of the Makurdi–Otukpo–9th Mile-Enugu Road, a route that has endured years of neglect despite its national importance. The Ministry stated that the current administration has prioritised the project due to its strategic relevance and the need to end decades of hardship experienced by motorists and communities on the corridor.

The Ministry emphasised that the extreme conditions previously observed on the road characterised by hazardous failures and stationary articulated vehicles, necessitated the rehabilitation of the existing carriageway and the construction of another. Ongoing works on the corridor have now gathered momentum, reflecting the administration’s renewed commitment to infrastructure delivery.

Giving further technical details on the project, the FCW disclosed that work commenced on 1 February, 2024, following the resolution of initial constraints, including security challenges, right-of-way acquisition, and relocation of utilities. He confirmed that the Benue State Government has achieved 100% acquisition of the right of way, while relocation of utilities has reached approximately 98%, enabling unhindered construction activities.
According to him, significant achievements have been recorded with over 48% completion status, indicating that delivery remains on track.

Corroborating this progress, Engr. Tijani Olalekan, representing the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the timely execution and excellent completion of the contract. “The pace of work reflects our dedication to meeting the project’s timelines. We have achieved substantial progress on binder and wearing courses, while hydraulic structures are being completed across multiple locations,” he asserted.

He added that most of the earlier challenges have been effectively addressed, particularly with the support of the state government in facilitating right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation.

As a further demonstration of intergovernmental collaboration, the Federal Ministry of Works acknowledged with much gratitude the approval granted by the Benue State Government for the payment of compensation related to the Buruku Bridge project. It expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that such cooperation is essential for the seamless execution of infrastructure projects across the states of the Federation.

This was at the site of construction work on the Buruku Bridge over the River Kastina Ala, linking Benue and Taraba States. The Project Manager, Messrs Setraco (Nigeria) Limited expressed optimism that with the payment of compensation, “the work will gather a renewed momentum,” he assured the visiting team.

The nationwide media tour is not only a platform for showcasing capability and accountability but also an opportunity to reinforce public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable and impactful infrastructure.

The successful completion and ongoing execution of these projects underscore a clear and consistent policy direction focused on national integration, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all.

High Court Jails Orya, Former NEXIM Bank MD,  490 Years For N2.4b Bank Fraud

High Court jails Orya, former NEXIM Bank MD,  490 years for N2.4b bank fraud. Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory,  FCT,  High Court, Abuja on Thursday, February 5, 2026 convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director, Nigerian Export Import Bank, NEXIM to 490 years  imprisonment for bank fraud.

The convict was arraigned in 2021 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 49-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud to the tune of N2.4 billion.

Count one of the charges read: “That you Mr Roberts Orya while being the Managing Director of Nigerian Export- Import Bank(NEXIM BANK) on or about the 21st day of September 2011 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud induced Nigerian Export-lmport Bank to pay to Treasuremix Contruction Limited the sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Eight Million Naira (N488,000,000) as loan under the pretence that the Directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited applied for and are the beneficiaries of the said loan which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you Mr Roberts Orya while being the Managing Director of Nigerian Export- Import Bank (NEXIM BANK) on or about the 19th February 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud induced Nigerian Export-Import Bank to pay to Treasuremix Construction Limited the sum of Six Hundred and Thirty Million Naira (N630,000,000) as loan under the pretence that the Directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited applied for and are the beneficiaries of the said loan, which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related And Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thus setting the stage for his trial. Prosecution counsel, Samuel Ugwuebulam in the course of the trial called seven witnesses whose testimonies strongly established the defendant’s guilt.

NEXIM Bank

Justice Messiri in his judgment held that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty as charged on all the 49 counts and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each, totaling 490 years. The sentences, however,  are to run concurrently.

The convict served as the managing director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016.  He was appointed to the position on August 14, 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 5, 2026.