Education
65-year-old Enugu farmer returns to school says “my children laughed at me”

A 65-year-old man, Joseph Ugbene, a native of Egede, in the Udi council area of Enugu State, has said he returned to school to acquire secondary education because his children laughed at him when he spoke English and mixed up his tenses.
Ugbene, who said he dropped out of school after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War that ended in 1970, stated this during the graduation of the Adult Education Programme, Egede, which marked the completion of his Junior Secondary School education on Sunday.
The farmer noted that his dream to acquire basic education was shattered by the civil war.
He said, “I was in class one in secondary school when the civil war broke out and after the war, things changed. I had no means of going back to school because my father died.
“So, that was why I said I needed adult education to complete my secondary education and continue. I am now a father of seven children and I trained all of them. They are all educated.
“You see, before I started this adult education programme, when I spoke English my children would laugh because of my tenses. That also motivated me to go back to school.
“So, I must climb that level and I am determined to acquire that education. It is helping me a lot now because I can buy drugs and administer to birds, courtesy of what I learnt in school.”
The Proprietor and Executive Director, Better Life for Rural Dwellers, Mrs Bibian Agada, commended Ugbene and eight other graduates for their desire to learn.
Agada disclosed that the adult education was set up in 2018 in response to the high level of illiteracy she observed among the people in Egede.
She said, “I wanted those who dropped out of school to complete their education free of charge.
“To achieve that, I bought all the recommended textbooks, exercise books and everything needed by the students and teachers, down to erasers and sharpeners. The initial response was great. Seventy-seven adults signed up for the programme.
“Some who thought that they would be paid to go to school were the first to drop out when all they got were books and materials for their study.
“Others dropped out because they were distracted at Ama-Ukwu on their way to school, which is why we are seeking accommodation away from the market square.
“Another set that dropped out were those who could not sustain the rigour of going to school while providing for their respective families. A lot of the younger ones who did not respond to the programme questioned the need for education when they could not get jobs with it.”
She appealed to residents who were not educated to take advantage of the programme and learn for free.
PUNCH
Education
UNN Dismisses Terror Attack Rumours, Tightens Security on Nsukka Campus
NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE — The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has assured staff, students and parents of adequate security on campus, dismissing as false and unsubstantiated reports circulating on social media about an alleged impending terrorist attack and mass abduction of students.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Inya Agha Egwu, the institution said there was no credible security intelligence or verified threat supporting the claims contained in the viral social media post.
The university, however, disclosed that it had adopted additional precautionary measures to further strengthen security across the Nsukka campus.
According to the statement, personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army have been deployed to strategic entry points within the university to complement the efforts of the institution’s security unit.
Management also announced the temporary closure of some access gates to the campus to enhance monitoring and regulation of movement into and out of the university.
As part of the new security measures, motorcycle operations within the campus have been suspended with immediate effect. Only motorcycles belonging to authorised security personnel will be allowed beyond the university gates.
Staff members who use motorcycles for transportation have been advised to park them at designated locations outside the campus before proceeding to their offices.
The university urged members of the academic community to remain calm and continue their normal activities without fear, stressing that there was no known security threat to the institution.
It also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic and anxiety among students, staff and the general public.
While reiterating its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for teaching, learning and research, the management encouraged students and staff to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the University Security Department or relevant security agencies.
“Security is a collective responsibility, and the cooperation of all staff, students and stakeholders is essential in maintaining the peaceful and secure environment for which the University of Nigeria is known,” the statement said.
The university further advised the public to treat anonymous social media posts and unverified online messages with caution, particularly those containing sensational claims intended to generate fear and uncertainty.
Education
Enugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
ENUGU – The Executive Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Engr. Pastor Beloved-Dan Obi-Anike, joined students, teachers, and management of St. Ann’s College DDL Enugu to celebrate Children’s Day 2026, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to educational development and youth empowerment.
The event, held at the college premises, featured a colourful reception, cultural dance performances, cake cutting, and interactive sessions between the chairman and students.
One of the major highlights of the celebration was the recognition of six students of St. Ann’s College who are beneficiaries of the local government’s scholarship scheme initiated by the chairman.
Speaking during the event, the Principal of the College, Sr. Kamfechukwu Moedu, expressed appreciation to the chairman for extending educational support to deserving students through the scholarship programme.
She noted that the initiative has continued to provide hope and opportunities for indigent students and their families, enabling them to access quality education despite financial challenges.
The chairman also engaged the students in a question-and-answer session, rewarding outstanding participants with cash gifts and encouraging them to remain focused on their studies and personal development.
Addressing the gathering, Engr. Obi-Anike reiterated his administration’s determination to invest in education as a foundation for sustainable development in Enugu East Local Government Area.
According to him, the council currently dedicates 10 per cent of its revenue to educational development and scholarship programmes aimed at supporting students and improving learning opportunities across the local government.
He emphasized that investing in children remains one of the most effective ways of building a prosperous future, adding that his administration will continue to implement policies and programmes that promote academic excellence and youth development.
The Children’s Day celebration ended with goodwill messages, photographs, and renewed calls for greater support for education and child welfare in Enugu East.
The event underscored the local government’s commitment to nurturing the next generation through sustained investment in education, scholarships, and youth-focused initiatives.
Education
Enugu: CIC Student Drowns While Trying To Retrieve Bucket From Water Reservoir
By Our Reporter
Tragedy has struck the family of Comrade Ambrose Nnamani of Isi-Ama Ejona in Mbu Amon, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the death of their 14-year-old son, Kosisochukwu Nnamani.
The deceased, who was a student of the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, was reportedly drowned while attempting to recover a bucket that fell into a water reservoir.
Sources disclosed that the unfortunate incident occurred on May 4, 2026, throwing the family and members of the community into mourning.
A burial poster released by the family described the death of the teenager as a “painful exit,” stating that his sudden demise has left relations, friends and schoolmates devastated.
According to the burial arrangements, a Christian wake is scheduled to hold at the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while funeral Mass and interment will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his father’s compound in Ugwu-Faith, Isi-Ama Ejona, Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State.
The family prayed for the peaceful repose of the young boy, describing him as a “little angel gone too soon.”
Education
Soludo Laments Absence Of Public Policy In Academic Research
By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has lamented lack of research in public policy making contending that academic research with positive impact on governance is sterial.
He further challenged the academic community to step up it’s intellectual works towards solving contending issues that shape the wellbeing of the immediate society.
The Governor who delivered a lecture at the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture Series 2026 convened by Association of Nsukka Professors noted that gone are those days when intellectual works end up at the University book shelf without transforming the socioeconomic needs of any given society.
Soludo observed that the “fusion of thought and action” remains the only bridge to a national rebirth.
Soludo questioned why academic discussions have seemingly lost their authority in national life. Despite producing thousands of professors and journals, he noted a “severed link” between academic research and public policy.
“If you have 200 Professors as members, how is the Adada zone not a first world?” he asked, challenging the audience to move beyond the walls of the university. “We produce journal articles, but how many have become policies? Intellectualism without activism is sterile.”
The Governor further advocated for “Productive Intellectualism,” where critical thinking guides public purpose. Drawing from his first tenure as Governor over the last four years, Governor Soludo highlighted how he has attempted to bring intellectualism to governance through “sacrificial volunteerism” and how he succeeded in laying the foundation for the African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley.
He emphasized that nations do not develop by resources alone, but by ideas that precede institutions; citing historical giants like Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmadu Bello, and a host of others, as examples of a shared pattern of logical thinking that yield ideas and then built.
“This is a challenge to the intellectuals and the wider academic community: to multi-task, as the modern intellectual must be both a thinker and a doer, Question the Status Quo which remains a fundamental element of true intellectualism”
“Standing akimbo is too expensive,” Soludo warned. “We don’t just live; we live to matter. It is time to get back to basics and drive the African renaissance through active participation.”
Speaking earlier, Professor Osita Ogbu, presiding as Chairman, observed that the true benchmark of academic excellence is not found in the complacency of achievement, but in an unyielding hunger for discovery and the courage to apply that knowledge to real-world challenges. He asserted that intellectuals are never satisfied, they keep working.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Ortuanya, framed the gathering as a significant homecoming for Governor Soludo. He offered a glowing tribute to the Governor, commending his transformative contributions to the Nigerian state and his broader dedication to the service of humanity.
Education
Enugu East LGA Signs MoU with Medical University, Targets 100 Scholarships
Enugu East Local Government Area has formalised a strategic partnership with David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening human capital development in the council area.
The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting between officials of the council and the university’s management, is expected to open new opportunities in medical education, training, and healthcare capacity building.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, described the partnership as a major step toward building a healthier and more prosperous society through deliberate investment in education.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the broader development agenda of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, particularly in the area of human capital development.
As part of the agreement, the council unveiled plans to sponsor 100 students from Enugu East to study medical-related courses at the university, a move aimed at addressing manpower gaps in the health sector while empowering local youths.
“This partnership is not just about education; it is about securing the future of our people. By investing in medical training, we are building a foundation for sustainable healthcare delivery in Enugu East,” Anike said.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Jesse Uneke, commended the council for its forward-thinking approach, describing the MoU as a mutually beneficial arrangement that would enhance both academic excellence and community impact.
He assured that the institution would provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the scholarship programme and other areas of collaboration captured in the agreement.
The MoU is also expected to cover research collaboration, capacity building, and possible medical outreach programmes within Enugu East communities.
Stakeholders say the partnership marks a significant milestone in the council’s drive to improve access to quality education and healthcare, while positioning Enugu East as a model for grassroots-driven development.
Implementation of the agreement is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with both parties set to outline detailed modalities for its execution.
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