Rep Member supports Otukpo Federal University with N1 million

...Promises to lobby, friends & colleagues to support the University 

...Urges the VC to link the Varsity to International Universities 

...You are a servant leader, Prof Ujah tells the Ozigizaga

The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, has received financial support of N1million  from the Honourable Member representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo.

Hon. Ottah Agbo presented  the cheque of N1 million to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Ujah (mni) at a brief ceremony in Abuja yesterday.

A statement signed by the Media Adviser to the Honourable Member, Mr. Andrew Agbese, noted that the support is in fulfilment of a promise the parliamentarian made to support the university to commence academic activities and function fully as a citadel of learning. 

Dr. Ottah Agbo said he's happy seeing a senior member of his constituency appointed as Vice Chancellor of a pioneer  university that holds a lot of promise for his constituents and the nation in general. 

He said given Prof. Ujah's track record of academic and administrative excellence, his appointment as VC is a crowning glory akin to that of a civil servant becoming a Permanent Secretary or a soldier, becoming a General.

He said, "As far as I'm concerned, you're a General in the medical profession and I'm happy that you were appointed during my tenure.

"I'm here today because I told you I'm 'Talknado' and I want to stand by my words; when I say something, I do it.

"God Almighty has made it possible for me to do it and I don't joke with that, that's the legacy I want to leave behind so that when people see my children even when I must have passed on, they will say these are the children of the Honourable Francis Ottah Agbo, your father; was a man of honor and integrity."

Hon. Ottah Agbo said from the steps the VC is taking so far to get the university going, Prof. Ujah, will attain great heights with the university  as a chick that will grow into a big cock is known from the day it is hatched.

The Honourable Member who is also the Chairman, Narcotic Drugs Committee and Spokesman of the Minority Caucus  encouraged the VC not to relent but strive to do more so as to lay a solid foundation for the University. 

He promised to keep supporting the VC, the university and the Idoma Medical Doctors' Foundation, saying he considers it imperative to plant seeds on worthy causes.

He said, " And because you're a man of vision, I saw what you've started in collaboration with your colleagues and saw the way the place is shaping up, and I said I want to be part and parcel of that vision.

"I said I want to plant a seed in the Idoma Medical Doctors Foundation and that is partly why I am here today. 

"So I am here to congratulate you once more  and encourage you for all the steps you have taken towards making sure that the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, assumes its pride of place in Nigeria and beyond  as you have envisioned."

The Honourable Member described the VC as his father, teacher and senior citizen and encouraged him to feel free and approach him for any other assistance or contribution towards the development of the institution. 

"I want to encourage you and I'll always like to support you because in the end that is exactly what it means to be together," he said and promised to rally round his colleagues in the National Assembly, friends and associates both in Nigeria and abroad to also come and give their contributions to the development of the University. 

Hon. Ottah Agbo lamented the current situation where the whole of Benue South has no resident medical consultant, saying with the coming of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, such challenges would no longer exist and medical services would improve in the entire Zone C .

The Feed Back Lawmaker says he sees the University as a catalyst for the development of Idomaland and Benue State as a whole and called for cooperation, synergy and collaboration with the institution.

The Vice Chancellor, who was highly elated by the gesture thanked the Honourable Member for the support. 

Prof. Ujah who is also the President of Nigeria Medical Association said,

 "I want to, on behalf of the  Federal University of Health Sciences, the  Idoma Medical Doctors Foundation, the people of Okpokwu where I come from appreciate you from the bottom of my heart."

The VC reminded the Honourable Member that he predicted in 2015 that he was going to win election and represent the people of the Federal Constituency even when he had not met him.

The VC said his prediction was accurate because science is about observation and he observed what Hon. Ottah Agbo was doing even before he became an Honourable Member. 

He said, "I looked at your track record,  and what you were doing in Bayelsa as Special Adviser and later Chief Press Secretary  to His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. So in 2019, I had no doubt at all that you were going to win the election and you won landslide.

"I'm happy you've not only won the election overwhelmingly but you're impacting on lives of the people by improving their knowledge and skills, that is really what we need in Idomaland and everywhere that development must come. You have set the pace in so many areas especially as I watch you dedicate your 4 -Year salary to orphans, widows as well as your accessibility to your constituents. "

The VC described the Honourable Member as a servant leader who he said does not behave like other politicians who sit in their houses and expect people to visit them but goes out to meet with people personally. 

He said leadership is about developing people and that is what the Hon. Ottah  Agbo is doing.

The VC said the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Otukpo is the first of its kind in Nigeria and commended President Muhammadu Buhari and former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, Former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Sunday Echono, Professor Ochapa Onazi, Professor Idoko and many other academics for making the University a reality.

He added that the university is established on the basis of excellence for students, lecturers and other staff and not based on sentiments.

The VC said the University is not going to be for Idoma alone as it is a federal university with international standard as it has started developing partnerships internationally while many are keying into it.

The erudite  Professor said the University will not only be for the training of doctors as is  being assumed as it has departments like  Engineering; Water related courses, Nursing; Pharmacy; Medical Laboratory Science  Public Health and so on.

He said the University is not going to be a mushroom University but an institution of international repute.

"We want to thank you because you're a great man and you'll grow more and more," he added in appreciation to Hon. Ottah Agbo.

Foremost Community Based NGO, DoCare Foundation Announce Mega Rally Against Violent Cult Activities.

"Violent Cultism and Other Social Vices have no place in our community" - Comrade Chris Ogah-President Docare 

An Otukpo based non governmental and non profit organization Docare foundation have announced 5th July 2020 as date for its planned Mega Peaceful Rally and sensitization against the scorge of violent Cultism rape and other social vices in Ugboju Otukpo local government, Benue state.

"Violent Cultism and Other Social Vices have no place in our community "
Comrade Chris Ogah President Docare Foundation reacting while confirming the date and timeline of the organizations forthcoming planned sensitization rally.

It may be recalled that Docare foundation stood in the forefront of condemnation and subsequently organized peaceful protest and other social displeasure against the rape of Ene, the Otada rape victim in Otukpo, the foundation mobilized critical voices and influencer to condemn the rape case, it visited the Nigerian Police area command Otukpo, the Palace of the Och'Idoma, Otukpo main market, walked through the streets registering its condemnation of the rape incident and calling on the authorities to seek justice. 

The foundation since its inception over a year ago, is serving as a social catalyst for minimizing and eradicating social vices such as violent Cult Activities, killings and armed criminals that Otukpo town and other parts of Zone C have suffered the years.

The organization under the leadership of Comrade Chris Ogah as President and other exco members and youth leaders have organized school to school sensitization visits, intervened and mediated in places where there's an outbreak of violent Cult activities or killing, organized physical exercise like football competition and walkout aimed at boosting the moral of youths in Otukpo town and driving them towards meaningful lifestyle.

The foundation is collaborating with the National associations of Idoma student NAIS and other well meaning individuals and organizations in its ongoing efforts, it equally calls for deepened collaboration, funding, partnership and synergy to achieve it aims.

NBM frowns at racial killing, Police brutality and Rape

NBM Of Africa Worldwild condemn rising cases of racial killing of blacks, Police brutality against unarmed civilians, Rape and other social injustice across the World -

(The case of George Floyd, Minnesota USA and Uwaila Omozuwa, Edo State Nigeria)*

The National leadership of the Neo Black Movement, (NBM) of Africa Worldwild,  strongly frowns at the rising cases of racial killings and racial profiling been brutally and systematically perpetuted on people of Black origin in present times globally, the cruel, barbaric and gruesome murder of George Floyd a 46years old Black man from Powderhorn, South of Downtown Minneapolis who was gruesomely murdered by Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin with the supervision of his colleagues at a helpless point where the victim was screaming "I can't breathe" and calling for help.

NBM of Africa and its leadership worldwide strongly condemns this killing of an unarmed black civilian men George Floyd and called on the relevant US Government agencies, State attorney and the leadership in Washington who have not adequately spoken out in clearer terms and have not carried out equal persecutorial measures against such racial crimes in accordance with the law.

As a Black oriented organization with over 40years of black solidarity, activism and struggle for black liberation, anchored on the principles of social justice, equal rights, justice and freedom for all people irrespective of race, colour or social orientation, the movement will not fold its arms and turn a blind eyes to social injustice and oppression or abuse of human rights, rape. "it is even more disheartening that the same institution of the state that is saddled with the responsibility of protecting human lives are the same ones taking black lives in such a gruesome manner"
Chief Engr Felix Kupa National president of NBM of Africa Worldwild noted that all humans are born with same colour of blood in their vain and as such their skin colour should not matter he said.

The organization says it acknowledges the role of other Black oriented organizations Like the Black Lives Matter who have stood up as early responders to call for Justice for George Floyd by organizing protests, radical social disobedience and advocacy, that the US as a model of democracy, human rights and freedom, is expected to live up to its responsibility and above racial divides and racial profiling to serve as a global leading light.

On Uwaila Omozuwa a 22years old 100 level student of University of Benin, Edo State Nigeria, Uwa was attacked and raped by said to be unknowned men at a Redeemed Christian Church, Edo State, this gruesomeness and injustice is many too glaring to be left unjustified, Kupa said.

The organization also used the occasion to call on the inspector General of Police who is the sole custodian of protecting lives and property in the country to ensure that the perpetuators are apprehended and justice adequately served. "We can not live in a society where citizens can just be easily molested, abused or murdered in broad daylight".

Kupa also called on the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Edo state government, civil society organizations, right groups and all well meaning lovers of a peaceful and Just society to stand up for justice in this peculiar case of Uwa, and also stand that Justice is served whenever there's an act of social injustice or murder in any part of the country he said.

The organization went further to offers its condolences to the families of George Floyd,  the Black community worldwide and the family of Uwaila Omozuwa on the death of their loved one, and called for a global condemnation against racial killing and social injustice globally.

TRANSPORT MINISTER AMEACHI INAUGURATES BOARD OF - NPA, NIMASA

TRANSPORT MINISTER AMEACHI INAUGURATES BOARD OF NPA, NIMASA,

- CHARGES BOARD ON PROFESSIONALISM AND HARMONY 

22nd May 2020 - Abuja

By: Jacob Ochulayi 

For @Info Times 

While inaugurating the governing board of two key Transport and Maritime agencies the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Thursday in Abuja,

The Hon. Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Ameachi charge members of the board to work in harmony and team spirit to promote security and professionalism in other to boost economic activities in the Maritime sector.

He noted that the duties of the board should be in areas of formulating policy and Ideas that will grow the sector while the management will be responsible for implementation,  such roles should not be in conflict but rather harmonusly coordinated he said.

The Minister while referring to the coronavirus pandemic and its resultant consequences on economic and human activities,  says "we are in unusual times but we can't afford to shut our seaports. The activities must continue so that the trade can take place and people can feed" he further directed the board members to fashion out ways on how to move forward with the issues of trade facilitation and seaport management.

Members of the NPA Board are as follows:

1. Chief Akin Ricketts   - Chairman                   
2.Muhhamed Koko - Executive Director                             
3.Prof. Idris Abdulkadir -Executive Director

4.Onari Brown - Executive Director                                   
5.Ghazali Muhammed  - Member

6.Sen. Binta Masi Garba  - is a Member

7. Alh. Mustapha Aminu Dutse   - Member         
8.Abdulwahab Adeshina   - Member                     

While those of NIMASA includes:

1.Hon. Asita          -   Chairman

2.Bashir Jamoh     -  Director General

3.Victor Ochei     -  Exec. Director (Cabotage)

4.Chudi Offordile - Exec. Director (Admin. & Finance)

5.Shehu Ahmed - Exec. Director (Operations)

6.Adekola Adefemi  - Member

7.Muhammed D. Abubakar - Member

8.Hassan Rasaq Mahmud   - Member

While responding on behalf of the members of NPA board the  Chairman Chief Akin Ricketts thanked president Mohammadu Buhari and the Hon. Minister for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity, he also mentioned some challenges like congestion of the Port, with the Eastern Port being underutilized and the inefficiency of the Lagos ports occasioned by inadequate evacuation corridor, Chief Akin assured that the board would work with all relevant stakeholders with the view to ameliorating the sufferings of Port user.

The minister further charged the NIMASA  Board members and disclosed his particular interest in making sure that the Deep Blue project which took the Federal Government about three years for approval succeeds, as it is geared towards addressing high incidences of kidnapping  at sea as well as boost the economic base of the country, the Minister noted.

Also responding no behalf of the NIMASA Board Members, the Chairman, Honourable Asita, express concern over the spate of insecurities in the Nigerian Maritime waterways, and assured that the Board will work assiduously to curtail the menace.

It may be recalled that the Board members of both agencies were appointed on February 10, 2020, but could not be immediately inaugurated due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.