News
Enugu’s outstanding LGA doles out scholarships, financial support to over 2400 students
The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has commended the chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike, for his empowerment programme which aims to equip youth with technological skills, foster entrepreneurship, promote scholarship, and improve employability among young people in the council area.
In his remarks at the launching/flag off ceremony for its human capital development programme held on Friday at the council headquarters, Nkwo Nike, the governor, praised the council chairman for the wonderful initiative aimed at preparing the youth to embrace their future and compete favourably with their peers in other climes.
Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic participation, job creation, and transitioning the state to a tech-driven economy, stating that he will not back down from his disruptive innovation agenda.
“Governor Mbah is a big advocate of education, and we are always pleased to hear about significant advances in education. We are delighted to visit such places and share in the joy of our students and our community. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is deeply committed to education, and education is central to all we do.
“I would like to recognize the Chairman of Enugu East, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike for all his amazing work. This Mayor is as innovative as His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah. He has aligned with the vision of this government. We are delighted by the innovative work you do. This is one of the several things you promised to do, and we are seeing all the innovations.
“We have seen how you support your workers and equally plugged corruption in this local government. Enugu State will continue to showcase its leaders that reflect and understand an alignment with the vision of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. I congratulate the students that won the scholarships and by September 2025, all our students will actually attend classes and understand that there is a difference in the way public schools function under Dr. Peter Mbah,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Enugu East council chairman, Pastor Dan Anike said the human capital development programme was a bold and strategic investment in education, tech and innovation, as well as preparing the youth for global relevance, adding that it was designed to align with Africa’s demographic advantage and ensure that the council contributes skilled professionals, digital entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to the evolving global economy.
Giving a breakdown of the programme, Anike said it included 50 scholarships to empower outstanding students with full educational support to secure a brighter future, 1,700 free WAEC registrations, 100 middle-level professionals in health and education to strengthen critical sectors with well-trained professionals to enhance service delivery, and 100 scholarships for medical, engineering, law, and software engineering studies, an investment in the next generation of specialists to drive innovation and progress.
Others were 500 undergraduate bursaries, 100 postgraduate study grants to support advanced education, leadership skills and expertise in key fields; 1,000 targeted vocational skill development slots to equip youth with hands-on skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth; and 50,000 registrations into the Emerging Tech Program Africa, positioning Enugu East as a hub for digital transformation by training thousands in cutting-edge technology fields.
Anike said: “Today, Enugu East Local Government is officially flagging off the Emerging Tech Skills Program in collaboration with the Enugu State Government. This program is being offered by high-impact training institutions and over 170 universities across Europe. It will be a six-week virtual training with a Diploma Certification upon completion as negotiated by the state government. This initiative is part of the broader goal of digitally upskilling one million youth and preparing them for careers in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Software Development and Cybersecurity, Machine Learning and Cloud Computing, 3D Animation and Business Intelligence, etc.
“Through policy-driven human capital investment, Enugu East is not just building an inclusive city but engineering a transformation that will position its youth at the forefront of the future of work. This initiative does not just reduce poverty and increase employment, it ensures that Enugu’s young workforce becomes a competitive force in the international labour market”, he stated.
The highlights of the event were the presentation and award of cheques for the payment of WAEC fees for 1700 students in Enugu East Local Government Area, payment of bursaries to 500 undergraduates, postgraduate study grants to 100 students, and award of scholarships to 100 medical, law and software engineering studies, among other registrations and awards.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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