IT was jubilations and a joyous occasion yesterday as 212 students drawn from various institutions of higher learning across the country benefited from the over N12million bursary grant doled out by Hon. Chibunna Akara, the Executive Chairman of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia state.
Students and their parents who gathered at the council’s headquarters, Akwete were overwhelmingly filled with excitement and could not hide their expressions as they showered praises on the council Chairman saying that it was the first of it’s kind since the creation of the state.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Ukwa East Local Government Area, Hon. Chibunn Akara expressed “great pleasure and a sense of purpose” in welcoming participants to the event, describing it as “a momentous occasion – the presentation of bursary awards to our deserving students.”
He underscored that the occasion stands as a “total testament to the commitment of our Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, to restoring hope, promoting human capital development, and investing in the future of Abia youths.”
He highlighted Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, noting that the administration’s policies have placed education as the cornerstone of progress and have opened opportunities that ensure no child in Abia is left behind due to financial hardship. He commended the Governor for his “tireless efforts in driving positive change” and affirmed that the Chairman’s own administration strongly aligns with this vision.
Hon. Akara reiterated the transformative impact of education, stating, “When we educate a child, we build a family; when we empower a youth, we secure the future.” He described the bursary initiative as “not just an act of charity – it is a deliberate investment in the intellectual capacity and future leadership of our great Local Government and State.”
He reported on several complementary programmes his administration has undertaken:
Registration of over 150 students for WAEC examinations (both senior and junior).
Support for more than 30 young females and males in acquiring digital skills, including provision of laptops, accommodation, feeding, and monthly stipends.
An ongoing programme engaging 50 youths (male and female) from Ukwa East LGA, aimed at equipping them with skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen fields.
Addressing the students, he urged them to view the bursary as “a call to excellence,” encouraging them to remain diligent, disciplined, and focused. He reminded them that their success reflects not only on themselves but also on their families, Ukwa East, and Abia State, and that the government believes in them and anticipates their emergence as ambassadors of progress and good governance.
The Chairman extended profound gratitude to Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his “relentless drive to rebuild Abia on the pillars of transparency, accountability, and people‑centered governance.” He affirmed that “Ukwa East stands solidly with you as partners in this transformative journey,” and pledged continued collaboration to build a brighter future for the state.
Assuring continuity, Hon. Akara declared, “This is just the beginning. My administration is committed to continuing this initiative, and I will ensure that there is continuity in the student bursary programme, even beyond my tenure.”
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who lauded the Chairman’s initiative as “a credit to his led administration” and urged students to take their education seriously, because ‘he whom much is given, much is also expected.’
The Labour Party State Chairman, Emmanuel Otti, praised Hon. Akara, nicknaming him “the Alex Otti of Ukwa East,” and commended his substantial investment in both education and the future of Ukwa East students.
The ceremony concluded with a collective call for sustained academic excellence, reinforcing the belief that “the bursary award will continue to inspire academic excellence, and Abia State will continue to shine as the home of peace, progress, and purposeful leadership.”
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”