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Governor Alex Otti Empowers 150 Polytechnic Fraduates With N1 Million Each

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Governor Otti

Governor Alex Otti Empowers 150 Polytechnic Fraduates With N1 Million Each

Governor Alex Otti empowers 150 polytechnic graduates with N1 million each. Mr Okoro said that the gesture was in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to the institution two years ago.

The Abia government, on Tuesday, disbursed cheques worth N1 million each to the 150 best HND graduates of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, (OOPA), between 2022 and 2024.

The rector of the polytechnic, Christopher Okoro, who handed over the cheques to the students on behalf of the governor, said that the empowerment aimed at turning them into entrepreneurs.

Mr Okoro said that the gesture was in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to the institution two years ago.
He said that the process of qualification involved HND graduates presenting proposals, which were vetted by a consultant, who shortlisted the successful beneficiaries.

He also said that the fund was a grant rather than loan given to ensure the beneficiaries would invest it to become better and also give back to society to improve other lives.

He said that Mr  Otti also directed the management of OOPA to interface with key entrepreneurs, who would assist the beneficiaries gain the capacity to utilise the money efficiently.

Mr Okoro said that although some beneficiaries had gone for national youth service, they should come for their cheques, whenever they returned, so they could utilise it for the purpose it was meant.
Earlier in an interactive session, the rector told journalists that the institution would hold its 22nd convocation ceremony on December 5.

He said that the institution had since Mr Otti’s administration improved in so many areas, including academics, infrastructure, productivity and personnel welfare.

According to him, apart from getting its old 33 courses accredited, OOPA has floated 17 new courses, including Legal Studies and Igbo Language, which had all been accredited to meet the student’s needs.

Governor Otti

Governor Otti

He said that the students were solely producing the iron doors used in all primary and secondary schools in Abia and all the refuse buckets Abia needed.
He said that the development had encouraged the students to work harder, while it provided other services and revenue to the state.

He said that the institution would move to its new site at Umuarakpa, Osisioma LGA on January 6, 2026.
Mr Okoro, however, said that the School of Engineering and Skills Acquisition Centre would remain because they had businesses with some citizens.

He thanked Mr Otti for being God-sent and all he had done for the polytechnic, and the media “for helping us to see our challenges and to work on them”.

Economy

Nigerian College Of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Offers Scholarships To 5 Indigent Zaria Youths

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Nigerian College Of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Offers Scholarships To 5 Indigent Zaria Youths

Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) offers scholarships to 5 indigent Zaria youths. The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has announced scholarship awards for five indigenes of the Zazzau Emirate to support educational development in the area.

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has announced scholarship awards for five indigenes of the Zazzau Emirate to support educational development in the area.

Danjumma Ismail, NCAT’s rector, disclosed this to newsmen in Zaria on Sunday at the sidelines of the 33rd annual general meeting and annual public lecture of Zaria Education Development Association. Mr Ismail represented the speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was the guest of honour at the event.

He said the speaker had facilitated the establishment of several federal academic institutions in Zaria to strengthen the emirate’s status as a centre of learning in Nigeria. According to him, the speaker also encouraged NCAT and other institutions to replicate such contributions towards advancing education in the Emirate.

“By doing so, the college hereby announces five scholarships to ZEDA to support educational development. We are highly impressed with ZEDA’s initiatives in promoting education,” he said.
The rector said NCAT would work closely with ZEDA to ensure that eligible candidates were selected, stating that the college offers more than 200 academic and professional courses.

“People focus only on pilot training, but we have many other courses that are even more marketable. We will sit with ZEDA and advise them accordingly,” he added. Mr Ismail reiterated the speaker’s commitment to supporting ZEDA and the Kaduna government in providing infrastructure to boost research and development in Zaria.

Just In

Just In

Earlier, Abdul-Alimi Bello, chairman of ZEDA’s central working committee, said the association had upheld its mandate to promote quality education and youth empowerment across the Emirate.

“Many beneficiaries of ZEDA initiatives have distinguished themselves academically and professionally, contributing meaningfully to society,” he said. Mr Bello added that this year’s lecture was delivered by  Isa Pantami, former communications minister.

Mr Pantami’s lecture focused on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Education: Opportunities, Challenges and Ethical Implications in Nigerian Education’.

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Akwa Ibom

Governor Umo Eno Gifts House, N100m Studio To Visually Impaired Singer

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Umo Eno

Governor Umo Eno Gifts House, N100m Studio To Visually Impaired Singer

Governor Umo Eno gifts house, N100m studio to visually impaired singer. Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom, has announced a life-changing package for fast-rising gospel singer Chris Vic.

In a statement shared via X on Sunday, the governor detailed a comprehensive empowerment plan for the singer, who captured national attention after his impressive third-place finish in the De9ja Spirit Talent Hunt.

Eno stated that he has directed the state commissioner for lands to allocate a prime plot of land to Chris Vic in Uyo, the state capital.

He also pledged that a four-bedroom apartment will be constructed on the land, with the certificate of occupancy to be signed and presented in the coming week.

The governor committed a staggering N100 million specifically for the establishment of a fully equipped music studio for the artiste.

He clarified that the fund is separate from the costs of the land and housing construction. Eno declared that for the duration of his tenure, Vic will receive a monthly allowance of N1 million from the state government.

“I have directed the Commissioner for Lands to allocate a plot of land in Uyo to Chris Vic, and I will sign the Certificate of Occupancy next week,” he wrote.

“We will also build him a four-bedroom flat and commit ₦100 million to set up his music studio. This is separate from the cost of the land and the house. In addition, as long as I remain Governor, he will receive a monthly allowance of ₦1 million.”

Umo Eno

Umo Eno

The governor framed his gesture as a testament to divine faithfulness and human resilience.

“Let this remind us that even in difficult moments, God is still good. Chris Vic shows us that praise is possible in every situation. I also want him, and all persons with disabilities, to know that this government cares,” he added.

In a recent interview with De9ja Spirit Talent Hunt, Vic revealed that he lost his eyesight at the age of five following a failed glaucoma surgery.

He said he found solace and purpose in music, driven by the desire to nurture the talent he believed God gave him.

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Crime

High Court Summons Wike In N40bn Defamation Suit Filed By Tonye Cole

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High Court Summons Wike In N40bn Defamation Suit Filed By Tonye Cole

High court summons Wike in N40bn defamation suit filed by Tonye Cole. A high court in Abuja has ordered Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enter an appearance in a N40 billion defamation suit instituted against him by Tonye Cole. The suit also lists Channels Incorporated Limited, owners of Channels Television, as a defendant.

The court, in a notice seen on Friday, said the matter, marked CV/4502/25, will be heard on December 9 before M. A. Hassan, judge of court 33. “Take notice that suit no: CV/4502/25 Tonye Patrick Cole vs Nyesom Ezenwo Wike & Anor will come up on the 9th day of December 2025 before Hon. Justice M. A. Hassan (Court 33) for mention,” the notice reads.

Cole’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, said the action was initiated after Wike and Channels Television allegedly failed to comply with a pre-action notice and a letter of demand dated October 8.
Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, is seeking N40 billion in damages over comments made by Wike during a live interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on September 18.

The claimant said the statements were false and malicious, adding that they damaged his reputation in personal, professional, and public spheres.

Court filings indicate that Wike’s remarks suggested Cole was involved in financial misconduct and mismanagement of state resources, including matters linked to Rivers state gas and the Olympia Hotel.

High Court Summons Wike

High Court Summons Wike

 

 

Cole’s counsel argued that the comments were defamatory because they imputed dishonesty and wrongdoing, thereby injuring the former APC governorship candidate’s standing nationally and internationally.
Cole said he suffered humiliation, mental anguish, and reputational harm owing to a “malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publication.”
He is asking for N500 million to cover the cost of the litigation and a judicial declaration that the statements were false and defamatory.

He wants an order compelling the defendants to retract the claims, delete the broadcast from all platforms, and issue a public apology on Channels Television and in at least five national newspapers.
Cole is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any further defamatory material about him.

The court directed the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.

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