News

Fresh Worries Over Multiple Checkpoints In South-East

Published

10 months ago

February 2, 2025

Editor

The Christmas and New Year festivities have brought the issue of multiple checkpoints and alleged extortion by different security agents across roads in South-East region to the front burner following the frustrating experiences of commuters and motorists.

The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and warm hospitality. However, for travellers, the zone’s numerous checkpoints have become a source of frustration, anxiety, and unwarranted delays.

Plagued

The area is home to numerous security checkpoints, ostensibly set up to maintain law and order, prevent crime, and ensure public safety.

However, the sheer number of checkpoints, often spaced just a few meters apart, has created a situation where travellers are subjected to repeated stops, searches, questioning and dehumanizing treatments in some cases.

For travellers, navigating the checkpoints is often frustrating and stressful. The constant stops and searches leads to significant delays, causing travellers to miss appointments, meetings, and other events.

Onitsha to Enugu

For example, from Onitsha to Enugu, a distance of approximately 105 kilometres, there are a whopping 28 checkpoints. They are manned by various security agencies, including the army, police, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

To break it down further, there are eight army checkpoints along the federal road including Awkuzu Junction, Unizik Junction, Ugwuoba Junction, and others. There are 13 police checkpoints including one at Dunukofia LGA headquarters, Enugu Ukwu Junction, Amawbia Junction, and others.

Furthermore, there are three FRSC checkpoints including Ugwuoba Junction, and Abakpa Junction. There is also one NDLEA location at Ugwuoba Junction. Other checkpoints include that of anti-terror squad and local neighborhood outfits.

Onitsha – Owerri Road

Similar situation is found in other roads in the region such as Onitsha – Owerri Road, Owerri – Aba Road and Enugu – Port Harcourt Road.

From Aba to Umuahia, Owerri to Okigwe, Enugu to Abakaliki, Awka to Onitsha to Nnewi, the story is the same.

From Aba to Enugu, a distance of 150 kilometres, there are at least 12 army checkpoints and over 16 police checkpoints, permanently mounted and a couple of stop and search police teams.

Put together, from Lagos to Onitsha, Abuja to Enugu and the numerous ones dotting other the roads in the region, no fewer than 4000 checkpoints constitute embarrassing barriers to people.

At each checkpoint, motorists are openly extorted amounts ranging between N500 to N1000.

This cuts across checkpoints manned by military and police.

Further checks showed the existence of about 38 checkpoints between Lagos and Ore.

They are demarcated with wooden flatbeds, logs, sandbags, and fire cans.

Also, from Ore to Benin has no fewer than 20. Benin to Onitsha is about 25 checkpoints.

Other checkpoints identified include Amaraku/Anara/Okigwe Road in Imo State, University of Nigeria Teachings Hospital (UNTH) in Ituku, Isuawa, Mpa, Ohia, Ihube, Mgboho, Nenwe, Okigwe junction, Lokpanta, Agwu Junction and Enugu-Abia boundary.

Others are at Ugwuoba, Enugu-Awka boundary, Awkuzu, Oyi Junction, Onuimo, Eke Obinagu Junction, Owo, Nkalagu, Enugu-Ebonyi border, Onueke, Ugwu Onyeama, Ninth Mile, Ezeagu, Oji River junction, Ugwuoba, and Enugu-Awka boundary.

Boundary

There are also Malaysia Market between the boundary of Owerri and Umuahia, PDS Owerri/Okigwe Road, Akanchanwa along Owerri/Aba Road,

Umuowa along Owerri/Aba Road, Mega Filling Station along Owerri/Okigwe Road, Amakohia Flyover Orlu Road. Ubomiri along Owerri/Orlu Road and Hospital Junction along Owerri/Port Hacourt Road among others.

Military checkpoints

One of the most dreaded military checkpoints in the zone is the one at Ihiala along the Onitsha-Owerri Road. In particular, the one located almost opposite Abbott Boys Secondary School, Ihiala, is a nightmare to those who use the road daily. Sometimes the traffic gridlock caused by the soldiers there could stretch up to one kilometre on both sides.

During the last yuletide season, the situation was exacerbated by the increased volume of travellers on the roads.

For many commuters and motorists, the experience of navigating the South-East region’s checkpoints was a harrowing one.

Some travelers reported being stopped at multiple places within a short distance, with security personnel demanding bribes or extorting money from them. Some have even reported being forced to pay bribes or being detained for hours without justification.

“I was traveling from Lagos to Enugu for Christmas, but my journey was delayed by over 5 hours due to the numerous checkpoints. The security personnel were slow and seemed uninterested in letting us pass”, said Mr. Mike Okoh, an indigene of Enugu who resides in Lagos.

Ifeoma Okwara lamented that she spent over three hours at a checkpoint in Anambra State.

“I spent over three hours waiting at a checkpoint in Anambra State. The security personnel were slow, and it seemed like they were intentionally delaying us. It was frustrating and exhausting”, she lamented.

Money spinners

Findings by Sunday Vanguard revealed that checkpoints have become money spinners for operatives rather than a security measure to check the activities of criminal elements.

It was gathered that passengers bear the burnt of the financial pressure the alleged extortions place on motorists. For example, the skyrocketing cost of transportation is also linked to the money spent at checkpoints.

“I was stopped at a checkpoint in Imo State”, narrated Uche Nnadi. “The security personnel demanded that I pay N5,000 to be allowed to pass. When I refused, they threatened to detain me. It was a harrowing experience.”

Another traveller, Monday Expo, shared similar experience. He said: “I was stopped at a checkpoint, and the security personnel demanded that I pay N2,000 to be allowed to pass. When I refused, they let me go, but not before warning me that I would regret not paying the bribe.”

Others reported being subjected to humiliating searches, with security personnel rummaging through their luggage and personal belongings. In some cases, travellers reported being detained for hours, without any explanation or justification.

Chinwendu Uju said the development exposes commuters to avoidable risks and inhuman treatment, as passengers were sometimes made to disembark from their vehicles and trek across military checkpoints.

“I was travelling with my family when we were stopped at a checkpoint. The security personnel were rude and harassed us, demanding that we open our luggage for inspection. It was a traumatic experience.”

Call for Reform

The situation has become a major concern for the public. While the need for security is undeniable, the current approach is believed to be clearly not working, necessitating an urgent need for reform.

This is to ensure that security checkpoints are operated in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner.

Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, Amobi Ogah, called for immediate reduction of security checkpoints in southeast region, especially on the Onitsha/Enugu Expressway.

Ogah in a motion before the House of Representatives, said the excessive security checkpoints violate the rights of the people in the region to free movement, as well as affect economic activities. “These multiple roads checkpoints subject travellers to constant harassment, delays, and extortions of different sorts, in addition to other inconveniences.

“The House may be aware that the installation of numerous checkpoints along expressway violates the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to free movement as enshrined in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“It is also a direct affront to the dignity of the people, particularly in the Southeast, where such levels of militarization are more pronounced. The House is notified that these security checkpoints appear to be more of a tool for harassment than a genuine effort in ensuring security.

“It is in the record that ordinary citizens, especially commercial drivers, are often forced to pay bribes at the checkpoints to avoid delays or harassment”, the lawmaker said in the motion.

He called for the use of modern and efficient means of managing security in the region without subjecting the people to undue hardship or violating their human rights.

Appeal

Meanwhile, South- East leaders had pleaded with President Bola Tinubu, to order for the dismantling of checkpoints and road blocks in the area, saying that the road blocks make goods expensive.

The demands were made at the town hall meeting during Tinubu’s official visit to Enugu State. Presenting his appeal, Onyemuche Nnamani noted that checkpoints and road blocks have a lot of drawbacks which have negatively affected the economy of the people in the zone and even constitute security risk.

He contended that with the modern command and control centre established by the Enugu State government and other strategies put in place, there was no need for the traditional checkpoints and road blocks.

“Checkpoints have many drawbacks; they make the movement of goods and persons very expensive, very inefficient, increase the low cost of logistics, leading to high inflation. They tie down valuable security manpower, they needlessly expose the brave men and women of our security agencies to attacks by criminals.

“In view of this, Your Excellency, we appeal to you to support Enugu State and security agencies, to deemphasize the traditional practice of roadblocks, stop and search and all that. Our people are really complaining about those things.

“It will be a great honour. When we say de-emphasize, what it means is that we are providing alternatives. You have seen the patrol vans, you have seen the cameras mounted all over the state. So we have alternatives to all this. So we just want to de-emphasize this issue of stop and search and roadblocks”, Nnamani explained.
(VANGUARD)

News

Full List: FG Releases Names Of 68 ambassadorial Nominees Sent To Senate For Confirmation

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a list of 68 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for approval, signalling a major reshuffle of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.

The list, read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, comprises 34 career diplomats, 31 non-career appointees, and three candidates previously cleared by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. The President is seeking swift confirmation to enable Nigeria to fill several key foreign missions.

According to the letter, the appointments aim to strengthen Nigeria’s international representation and reposition its diplomatic engagements. The Senate has referred the list to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing it to screen the nominees and submit a report within one week.

Among the non-career nominees are former Chief of Naval Staff and ex–Sole Administrator of Rivers State Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), former presidential aide Ita Enang, former Imo First Lady Chioma Ohakim, and former Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.).

Others include former Lagos Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, former Edo lawmaker Abbasi Brahma, media personality Reno Omokri, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and former Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.

The career nominees, representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, are serving diplomats and senior foreign service officers recommended for ambassadorial postings.

The appointments follow ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bolster Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally and ensure representation in critical foreign missions.

The full list, as transmitted by the President, includes nominees for all states, with details of career and non-career appointments as well as the three candidates cleared earlier by the Senate Committee.

CAREER AMBASSADORS (34)

1. Abia – Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka

2. Adamawa – Maimuna Ibrahim

News

9 Common Resume Mistakes Graduates Make – And How To Avoid Them

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

Graduates entering today’s job market face intense competition, and the first challenge is often getting their resume noticed.
Many employers spend only a few seconds scanning each application, which means even small mistakes can cost candidates valuable opportunities. Unfortunately, a large number of graduates unknowingly submit resumes that are poorly structured, unfocused, or not aligned with the roles they’re targeting.

Understanding the most common resume errors is the first step toward creating a document that truly reflects your strengths and potential. This guide by the experts at ResumeWriterDen highlights these mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Using a Generic Resume for Every Job

Many graduates make the mistake of using one generic resume to apply for every job. Recruiters can easily spot a one-size-fits-all application, and it often signals a lack of genuine interest in the role.
Each position has unique requirements, preferred skills, and keywords that employers expect to see. When your resume doesn’t reflect these details, it becomes less relevant and may be filtered out early in the process.

To avoid this, graduates should tailor their resume for each application by aligning their skills, achievements, and summary with the job description. Personalization consistently increases interview chances.

Mistake #2: Overloading the Resume With Personal Information

Most graduates mistakenly believe that adding plenty of personal details makes their resume look complete, but it actually distracts employers and wastes valuable space.

Information like age, state of origin, religion, marital status, or home address adds no value to your application and may even introduce unconscious bias.
Recruiters care about your skills, education, and achievements, not personal details that don’t relate to the job. A professional resume writer ensures your resume remain strictly professional and focused on what you bring to the role.
How to Avoid It: Keep personal information minimal and stick to contact details, location (city only), and professional links.

Mistake #3: Poor Resume FormattingMistake #3: Poor Resume Formatting

A lot of graduates underestimate how much resume formatting affects first impressions. Recruiters often skim documents in seconds, so a cluttered layout, unusual fonts, or inconsistent spacing can make your resume look unprofessional or difficult to read.
Poor formatting also confuses Applicant Tracking Systems, causing important details to be missed. A clean structure helps your strengths stand out quickly.
To avoid this mistake, use a simple, modern layout with clear headings, consistent spacing, and readable fonts. Keep sections well-organized and avoid unnecessary graphics. Good formatting doesn’t just improve appearance — it increases your chances of getting noticed.

Mistake #4: Not Highlighting Relevant Skills

Most graduates either list too many unrelated skills or fail to showcase the ones employers actually care about.
Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems scan resumes for specific skills that match the job description, so a generic list weakens your chances. Instead of filling the skills section with every tool or software you’ve ever used, focus on abilities that align directly with the role. Prioritize skills that demonstrate problem-solving, communication, technical proficiency, or industry-specific knowledge. Through presenting the right strengths clearly, you make it easier for employers to immediately see your value.

Mistake #5: Weak or Vague Career Summary

Several jobseekers and graduates fill their resumes with generic statements like “Hardworking and motivated” without showing real value.
A weak summary fails to grab an employer’s attention and doesn’t communicate why the candidate is a strong fit. Recruiters often spend seconds scanning this section, so vague phrases are easily overlooked.
How to Avoid It: Craft a concise, results-oriented summary that highlights your key skills, achievements, and career goals. For example, instead of generic words, describe your expertise, relevant experience, and what you bring to a prospective employer.

Mistake #6: Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

The error of simply listing what they did in previous roles or internships, rather than highlighting what they accomplished is common amongst many graduates. For example, stating “Handled customer inquiries” is vague and unimpressive. Employers want to see results, impact, and measurable contributions.
How to Avoid It: Frame experiences as achievements using action verbs and quantifiable outcomes. Instead of “Managed social media accounts,” write “Increased social media engagement by 30% in three months through targeted campaigns.” This approach demonstrates value and sets your resume apart from the competition.

Mistake #7: Typos and Grammar Errors

Underestimating how critical a flawless resume should be is common among graduates. Even minor typos or grammatical mistakes can make a candidate appear careless or unprofessional, often causing hiring managers to discard the resume immediately.
Recruiters typically spend only a few seconds reviewing each application, so errors stand out instantly.
How to Avoid It: Always proofread your resume multiple times and consider using grammar tools like Grammarly. Asking a friend or a professional to review it can also catch mistakes you might overlook. A polished resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism.

Mistake #8: Making the Resume Too Long
Many fresh graduates think more is better, but overly long resumes can actually hurt their chances.
Recruiters often skim resumes in seconds, so unnecessary details bury key achievements. Including every course, internship, or extracurricular activity makes the document cluttered and hard to read.
How to Avoid It: Focus on the most relevant experiences and skills. One well-structured page is usually enough for a graduate.
Highlight achievements that demonstrate your value, and remove anything that doesn’t directly support your application. Concise resumes leave a stronger, more memorable impression.

Mistake #9: Not Including Keywords for ATS

This is highly underestimated. Many graduates don’t realize that most employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human ever sees them.
If your resume lacks the right keywords such as relevant skills, job titles, or industry terms, it may be automatically filtered out, no matter how qualified you are. To avoid this, carefully review each job description and include the exact terms employers use.

According to experts at https://www.resumewriterden.com tailoring your resume with targeted keywords significantly increases the chances of passing ATS filters and landing interviews.

Final Thoughts
A well-crafted resume can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Graduates should avoid common mistakes, tailor their content, and highlight achievements clearly.
For those seeking expert guidance, executive resume writers can provide the structure and insight needed to stand out in a competitive job market. Remember, your resume is often the first impression an employer has: make every word count.
(GUARDIAN)

News

Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi

Published

5 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

The Heineken Africa Foundation, through Nigerian Breweries Plc is investing N4 billion to train 14,000 smallholder farmers on smart agriculture across seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi state for three years.

Mr Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs, Nigerian Breweries Plc, disclosed this in Bauchi on Thursday during the official Launch of the ‘empowerment of Smallholder farmers to thrive and build climate resilience through regenerative agriculture’.

Aniukwu, who explained that the foundation is in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), added that the investment builds on the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving access to healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa.

“Our decision to invest in Bauchi is both deliberate and strategic. Bauchi is home to resilient, resourceful, and industrious smallholder farmers whose contributions are essential to Nigeria’s food security.

“The strength of your farming communities, combined with the natural potential of this land, gives us confidence that meaningful and lasting impact can take root here. We are here because we believe in the people of Bauchi.

“This project is designed to strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, by enhancing their capacity to generate sustainable income.

“It will deliver training, access to quality inputs, stronger market linkages, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Also, Dr Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director, Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), explained that the farmers would receive hands-on training through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots in.

According to him, out of the 14,000 smallholder farmers, 60 per cent were women and 40 per cent of youth.

The farmers, he said, would also be trained on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, soil and water conservation, pest and disease management, crop diversification and post-harvest handling, among others.

“The project supports the restoration and protection of natural resources by promoting regenerative farming that rebuilds soil fertility, efficient water management and irrigation practices, and adoption of drought-tolerant crop varieties.

“We are here to make smallholder farmers big players and our target is to increase incomes by at least 30 per cent, but our dream is bigger.

“This programme spans seven Local government areas of Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa. Women and youth are not an afterthought, they are at the heart of this intervention because the future of agriculture depends on their strength, creativity, and leadership,” he said.

The Executive Director commended the Bauchi state government for its partnership, support and provision of an enabling environment and promised that the programme would be effectively implemented.

In his address, Mr Iliyasu Gital, Bauchi state’s Commissioner for Agriculture commended the foundation for bringing the programme to the state and expressed the state government’s commitment to support the training in every capacity.

Some of the beneficiaries commended the gesture, adding it would transform agriculture and encourage productivity towards achieving food security in the country.

Maimunatu Sani, a farmer, who had benefited from the programme in Kano state, said that she learnt how to recycle farm residues and transform it into an effective organic fertilizer, calling smallholder farmers in the state to key into the programme.

She said she acquired practical skills to improve her farming activities and increase output.

Another farmer from Kano, Mama Mairam, said the introduction of new techniques assisted farmers to significantly reduce wastage and increase yields per hectare.