Category: News

…Adopts Market-Driven Innovation Strategy

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to commercializing research outputs and adopting a market-driven innovation approach to drive economic growth and national development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh, SAN, disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the MIT – Kuo Sharper Centre and Fellowship during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

Dr. Udeh stated that the government’s focus has moved beyond academic research and patents to translating scientific knowledge into tangible economic value, wealth creation, job opportunities, and improved wellbeing for Nigerians. “Our mission is about turning knowledge into tangible wealth and wellbeing for every Nigerian,” the Minister said.

He explained that the administration is prioritizing industry-focused, demand-driven research aimed at converting sectoral needs into commercially viable products and services. This strategy, he noted, will accelerate innovation-led growth, reduce poverty, and strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

The Minister added that Nigeria’s STI vision is anchored in the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP 2022), which provides a strategic framework for building a diversified, sustainable, and competitive economy.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration across government, academia, industry, and international partners.

Operatives of the Federal Highway Patrol on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State have recovered a red cloth containing bones and other items suspected to be parts of a human corpse, concealed among passengers’ luggage.

The Anambra State Police Command has warned individuals and groups to desist from organising or participating in any form of march or street protest or unlawful gatherings within Awka, the State capital, in the interest of public safety, peace, and public order.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the death of two officers following an attack on a Police Distress Response Squad (DRS) team along Agbani Road, Enugu, late on Wednesday, January 15, 2026.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the officers sustained severe gunshot injuries after suspected IPOB/ESN subversive elements opened fire on the police team without provocation.

The attackers were said to have launched the assault suddenly, prompting the operatives to return fire. The police response reportedly forced the assailants to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. However, during the exchange, the operational vehicle of the team caught fire.

The injured officers were immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment but were later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, has ordered an intensified manhunt for the fleeing suspects. He directed tactical and intelligence units to deploy all available resources and leverage actionable intelligence to sustain the ongoing trail, ensuring the assailants are tracked down and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, a Lexus 330 Jeep allegedly snatched by the criminals before the attack—and used during the assault—has been recovered by police operatives. The vehicle was reportedly found with multiple bullet holes consistent with the gunfight.

CP Giwa appealed to residents with credible information to assist the investigation by volunteering details that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects. He assured the public that the Command remains “resolute and committed” to preventing violent criminal groups from evading justice.

PACESETTER reports that the attack has come as a surprise to the people of Enugu who had enjoyed relative security following the deployment of the Distress Response Squad (DRSl), day and night vision cameras, drones and a functional command and control center by the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah.

Doris Ewoh, Enugu

The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), in conjunction with Rojore Resources Limited, has embarked on a training workshop on automobile practices for Nigeria Police technicians, aimed at improving and sustaining the operational mobility of the Force.

The ongoing workshop, which commenced on 5 January and will end on 16 January 2025, is being held at the ANAMMCO Training Institute, Plot 19, Emene Industrial Layout, Emene, Enugu State. The programme was organized to provide hands-on expertise for technicians on automotive practices, enabling them to effectively maintain operational police vehicles through the skills acquired.

While briefing journalists, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheibu, noted that the training of police technicians and mechanics is critical, as it helps instill a maintenance culture within the institution.

“What we are seeing here with the officers is quite impressive. The training currently ongoing for police officers as technicians and mechanics is very key. As mentioned earlier, mobility is integral to the operations of the Nigeria Police Force. Therefore, creating a strong maintenance culture is essential,” he said.

Sheibu explained that over 100 police officers were selected for the workshop from the Police Headquarters, with participants handpicked based on their proximity to the training institute. Officers were drawn from nearby states including Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi.

He stressed that the training would play a significant role in sustaining the Force’s equipment and facilities.

“It is not just about purchasing equipment, but about how to maintain them over the years. This training facility, the trainers, and the trainees are all critical to achieving that goal. The culture we want to imbibe is a strong maintenance culture,” he emphasized.

Sheibu also expressed admiration for the ANAMMCO facility, noting that he was previously unaware of such a world-class facility in Enugu, a location historically known as the former base of Mercedes-Benz operations in Nigeria.

A participant, Inspector Ebuka Nkpupo from the Anambra State Command, described the training as the first of its kind for him, stating that it was commendable for the Police to retrain officers in their field of specialization. He expressed pride in being part of the programme and hoped to return to his command to apply the knowledge gained effectively.

He also suggested that the duration of the training be extended, noting that a longer period would allow for deeper understanding and more practical sessions.

Constance Augustine Munachimso from the Police College, Oji River, explained that she had been trained on how to assess automotive electrical components, troubleshoot faults, detect problems, and use modern diagnostic equipment rather than outdated analog tools. She added that she is now capable of applying basic “first aid” solutions when a vehicle breaks down.

One of the facilitators, Engr. Ebuka, described the training as a welcome development, noting the high level of interest shown by participants. He explained that the programme was designed to be interactive, allowing trainers to assess the participants’ existing knowledge and build upon it accordingly.

… Emphasises lessons from scars of Nigeria’s history

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to partner with the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Armed Forces, fallen heroes, and their families.

Mbah also stressed the need to learn from the scars of division and internal conflicts inherent in the nation’s history in order to build a more united and secure society, saying that “peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility.”

Mbah gave the commitment on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Okpara Square, Enugu, describing January 15 of every year as a solemn day when Nigerians must pause, reflect deeply, and acknowledge the price paid by the nation’s heroes so that other citizens may live in safety.

“As a state government, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and their families. This support goes beyond ceremony. It is reflected in practical care, in advocacy, and in partnership with the Federal Government to ensure that those who serve, and those who have served, are treated with respect and care.

“On this day of remembrance, we honour those families who continue to carry their memory. And we recommit ourselves to the values for which they served: unity, discipline, service, and respect for human life.

“The wreaths we lay today remind us of the responsibility to live as citizens worthy of the sacrifices our heroes made for us,” he said.

He, however, emphasised that the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcended an annual ceremony and should always be borne in the hearts of all Nigerians.

“When a soldier falls, the loss does not end at the battlefield. It enters homes. It settles into families. It is borne in the human heart and becomes part of daily life for those left behind.

“Grief does not announce itself outwardly; it is carried for a lifetime by spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, and by children who grow up holding memories instead of hands.

“We recognise the weight you carry. We recognise the lives that were disrupted, the futures altered, the memories that require loving guardianship. Your loss is now ours to help you carry.

“As a society, we must not look away from that responsibility. To remember the fallen is also to care for the living. To honour the cost of human life is to ensure that families are supported with consistency and compassion,” Mbah stated.

Mbah stressed that “above all, peace and security are sustained by a mindset that understands the value of prevention.”

“Our history carries the scars of division. From the Civil War of the late 1960s to later internal conflicts, we have learned, at great human cost, what happens when unity fractures and lives become casualties of discord.

“That history reminds us that progress is never guaranteed, and that peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility,” he concluded.

Speaking with reporters, President, Military Widows Association of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Mrs Sarah Charles Ugwuabonyi, while commending Governor Mbah for caring for welfare of military widows and their families in the state, called for jobs and skills to further relieve them.

Highpoints of the event were the inspection of a guard of honour by Governor Mbah, as well as the laying of wreaths on the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier and the release of pigeons by the governor and other dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, as a mark of peace.

Others who laid wreaths were a representative of military widows, Mrs Fatima Umar; General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General O. A. Fadairo; Commander, Nigerian Navy ship, Madueke, Rear Admiral N. Friday; Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Nigerian Air Force Enugu, Air Vice Marshal A. G. Kehinde; Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, CP Bitrus Giwa; Director of the State Security Service, Enugu State Command, Mr. Humphrey Ohikhuare; Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Emeka Igweshi and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh; and the Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, among other dignitaries.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has used the occasion of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to call on Nigerians to look beyond many shortcomings of the Nation and embrace unity and the ideals the compatriots lived and died for.

Governor Otti made the call on Thursday, January 15th, during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

The Abia State Governor said that Nigerians cannot build a great nation except by making deliberate effort to inspire the change that the citizenry seeks along different front lines of the National existence.

“The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day invites all of us to look beyond the many shortcomings of our Nation, but to rise instead in unison to rededicate ourselves to the ideals for which our compatriots lived and died.

“We cannot build a great Nation by endlessly winning but by doing everything within our powers as citizens and leaders in different fields of human aspiration to inspire the change that we seek, along different front lines of national existence.

“While the virtues of chivalry and honour, temperance, and fortitude are traditionally, a part of military endeavours, it is also true that these values can be adopted by everyday people seeking to live with honour in devotion to community.

“We are therefore encouraged to learn to be as courageous as our compatriots who have chosen the path of military service and to live by the principles that support character building, provides ethical compass in decision-making, and confers legitimacy on institutions” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti said that the Nigerian Armed Forces best represents the practical ideals of the Nigeria’s dream, describing the armed forces as, one institution that has not only played a major role in keeping Nigeria together, but has evolved from the learning of its early days into a stable force, “driving the preservation of our democratic structures in addition to its foundational responsibility of protecting the territorial integrity of our nation”

He noted that, “Our healing from the wounds of the past may not have been completed, but there is no dispute that in the intervening years since 1970, we have made slow but steady progress in the efforts to redefine the true essence of Nigeria”.

The Governor said that the ceremony presents to government the privilege to honour the memories of family members, friends, and colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice and then celebrate those whose courage and sacrifices keep the fabrics of the sovereignty of Nigeria undivided.

The State Chief Executive commended the leadership of the different security agencies in the State, for their unyielding resolve to the safety of lives and property in the urban and rural centres of the State and assured that his government would continue to provide necessary support they would require as they discharge their duties.

The Governor attributed the successes recorded in the security sector in the State to the exceptional courage the security men bring in the discharge of their duties.

“In Abia, we are grateful to members of the Armed Forces for their enduring commitment to peace and security in our communities.

“Abia has moved quickly from the anxiety of the last few years to assume a new identity as one of the safest destinations to live and travel to.

“This could not have happened, without the commitment of our partners in the various security establishments” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who paid tributes to all fallen heroes and members of the armed forces who are still in active duty, paid particular respect to some soldiers and and police men who lost their lives while in active duty in Abua State last year.

Gov. Otti appreciated their faithful devotion, and assured that his government would continue to take care of their families including sustaining the scholarship offered to their children up to tertiary education level.

“We have since made a commitment to provide for the welfare of the spouses and children of the deceased personnel, offering channels of sustenance to the adults, and then scholarships for the children to continue their education up to tertiary level” Gov. Otti noted.

“I would like to also add that it’s not only the fallen heroes in the military, but also the police, and those of them that we have lost within the period, we have supported the families and put the children on scholarship up to tertiary level.

The event featured laying of wreaths on the tomb of an unknown soldier and release of pigeons signifying peace by the Governor and selected officials as well as the release of gun salutes.

The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, representative of the Chief Judge of Abia State, acting Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioners, service commanders, Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, clergymen, members of the Nigerian Legion, Abia State among others were present during the ceremony.

…Restates zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says his administration will continue to prioritise the welfare and education of children in the state, as it remains the only way to guarantee a prosperous and decent future for the state.

Mbah has also reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse, including child marriage, sexual abuse and exploitation, child labour, child trafficking, among others.

He spoke when he received the Enugu State Children’s Parliament, led by the Honourable Speaker, Miss Chimamanda Amobi, at the Government House on Tuesday.

Mbah, who has consecutively invested over 30 per cent of the state’s 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets in education, said that a society that fails to invest in the quality education and welfare of its children had already compromised its future.

“You represent the hopes, the dreams and the future of Enugu State. Your coming here today reminds us why we must continue to work tirelessly to build an Enugu State where every child can learn, grow and succeed.

“Our tagline is Tomorrow is Here, and that our tomorrow is largely you. You are the tomorrow we talk about. You are the tomorrow we see, and we can touch you. Yes, you are at the heart of our government.

Everything that we do, including our projects, is all centered around you because you are the real investment. You are the real future we can build.

“In Enugu, you would see that we are largely focused on the future, and the future is all about our children — how we care for them and how we prepare them to take care of us tomorrow,” he said.

Mbah said that although the gains of his administration’s huge investments in education, especially the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools, would be fully felt years after he must have left office, he was more interested in preparing Enugu children for the emerging global economy than any applause.

“Free quality education is the right of our children; we are not doing you any favour. And we have not only provided nine years of free education as provided by UNESCO, we are providing 12 years of free education in Enugu State. And it is absolutely free — from school uniforms to writing materials and one square meal daily.

“The Smart Green Schools are a platform where we can get our children to express the best version of who they are and to express and optimally use the gift that God has given each of them,” the governor stated.

He said that besides equipping the children with skills for the evolving 21st century, like robotics, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, virtual reality, augmented reality, ICT hubs, e-libraries, among others, such that would enable them to stand up to their peers in any part of the world, the Smart Green Schools initiative was designed to take care of their health and growth.

He said that because of the presence of a clinic in each school, the child’s health and immunisation status is profiled by a nurse during admission at age three, ensuring that any missed vaccinations are regularised.

“To make sure no child suffers from malnutrition, there will be one nutritious meal each day at every Smart Green School,” he stated.

He, however, enjoined Enugu children to imbibe and uphold the values of fairness, honesty, fear of God and humility for which Enugu people are known.

Mbah warned that anyone who subjects any child to any form of abuse in Enugu State would have his government to contend with.

“We have zero tolerance for child abuse in any form. Just the other day, we stopped a wedding of an underage girl, and we will prosecute the parents. It is totally unacceptable,” he emphasised.

Earlier, the Speaker, Miss Amobi, who called a passionate call for more investments in children’s welfare and education by all levels of government in Nigeria, commended Governor Mbah for putting Enugu children at the heart of his government.

“I want to appreciate the child-friendly governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on behalf of Enugu children, for his numerous achievements in child health and development in Enugu State.

“We commend him for the establishment of Smart Schools for experiential learning, stronger educational policy, establishment of a Disability Commission, free daily school meals and the training of auxiliary social workers for child protection in Enugu State. We are indeed grateful,” she concluded.

The children were also accompanied by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih; the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ewoh; and the Communications Officer (Advocacy and Partnerships), UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe.

Two opposition parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — have criticised the Federal Government over reports that it has approved a $9 million public relations and lobbying contract in the United States, describing the move as deceptive, wasteful, and insensitive to the country’s current security and economic challenges.

In a press statement titled “$9 Million PR Contract: Defective and Deceptive,” the PDP said it was disturbing and shameful that the Nigerian Government, through Aster Legal, contracted DCI Group in the United States to “assist the Nigerian government in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities.” The contract is scheduled to run for six months with an automatic renewal for another six months.

The PDP said it was unacceptable for a government that already has a full Ministry of Information and multiple media aides to outsource its communication to a foreign lobbying firm. The party argued that such a move suggests the President lacks confidence in his own information managers despite the ministry being led by seasoned professionals.

The opposition party posed several questions to the presidency, asking whether the contract was included in the 2025 budget, why it was executed through a private law firm instead of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and what role Nigerian embassies and their information officers are expected to play if such outsourcing continues. It also demanded details of the Key Performance Indicators for the contract.

The PDP maintained that no foreign PR firm can change the global perception of Nigeria if insecurity remains widespread.

“The truth is that Nigerians have not felt this insecure, even during the civil war,” the statement said, stressing that genuine improvement in security, not “deceptive communication,” would improve Nigeria’s image abroad.

The party urged President Tinubu to focus on tackling insecurity and reducing mass killings rather than “seeking easy public validation through ephemeral optics.”

The statement was signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the $9 million expenditure, describing it as “obscene” and reflective of “misplaced priorities and moral blindness.”

In a statement posted on X, ADC spokesperson Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said no African government has ever committed such a large sum to a short-term PR engagement, especially at a time when citizens face rising food prices, high fuel costs, and limited access to healthcare.

The ADC argued that outsourcing Nigeria’s image management to foreign lobbyists amounted to an admission of diplomatic failure, especially with several ambassadorial positions still vacant.

According to the party, relying on foreign firms rather than strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic corps weakens national credibility and reduces foreign policy to “transactional propaganda.”

The ADC urged the Tinubu administration to channel resources toward addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and reinforcing diplomatic institutions instead of running what it described as an “image-repair campaign abroad.”

Riding on the crest of Enugu State’s emergence as the cleanest state and winner of the maiden Renewed Hope Model Green State Award in 2025, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has unveiled the state’s newest environmental cleanliness and sustainability assets, insisting that a clean city is a healthy and competitive city ready for growth.

Equipment unveiled include 10 brand new waste compactors, seven automated street sweepers, and 200 modern dumpsters.

Unveiling the new assets at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu on Tuesday, Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, restated his administration’s commitment to sustaining Enugu’s emergence as Nigeria’s model green state in 2025.

“Today’s event is more than the unveiling of equipment — it is a clear demonstration of our administration’s commitment to building the Enugu State of the future. With the introduction of these modern equipment, we are strengthening the backbone of our environmental infrastructure and advancing a vision that places cleanliness, order, and sustainability at the heart of our development agenda,” he said.

Mbah explained that keeping Enugu safe and clean was part of his administration’s vision to grow the state’s economy from the $4.4 billion inherited in 2023 to $30 billion by 2031.

“From the very beginning of this administration, we made a promise: to create a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous Enugu. A city cannot grow if it is overwhelmed by waste. Investors will not come, tourism cannot thrive, and the health of our people cannot be guaranteed. That is why environmental reform has been a central pillar of our governance strategy to grow our economy,” he stated.

The governor said the equipment represent a major step forward and a new way of doing things.

“The compactors will ensure faster, more efficient evacuation of waste across our urban centres. The automated sweepers will bring our streets closer to the standards of modern, well-planned cities around the world. The 3,000-litre dumpsters will help eliminate indiscriminate dumping and reduce the pressure on existing waste points.

“But beyond the equipment, as I said earlier, what we are building is a system — a system that supports the growth we envision for Enugu. As we expand our road network, modernise our markets, attract new industries, and open our doors to investors, we must ensure that our environment reflects the discipline and ambition of a state on the rise,” he said.

While enjoining the people to back the efforts of government in the sector, he explained that the administration was carrying out an extensive reform of the Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA), strengthening its operational capacity, and insisting on higher standards of service delivery.

“We are also investing in public awareness, because no matter how much equipment we deploy, progress will only be sustained when our people embrace responsible waste disposal and environmental discipline,” he added.

He commended the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change as well as ESWAMA for demonstrating commitment to the reforms and transformation envisioned by the administration in the sector.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, commended the gov iternor for his commitment to environmental cleanliness and sustainability.

“In 2024, Your Excellency signed into law the Enugu State Environmental Protection Law. He also approved the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan. These have improved the activities of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change,” he stated.

On his part, the Managing Director of ESWAMA, Richard Onaga, assured that the agency would justify the government’s investment in the new assets, saying the intervention came at a critical time when population growth and urban expansion demand innovative and robust solutions.

“These assets will significantly enhance our operational capacity, improve efficiency in waste collection, and ensure cleaner streets across our urban and semi-urban areas,” he concluded.