News
Umahi, Security Expert Differ On Insecurity In South-East

A security expert, Col. Hassan Stan-Labo (retd.), and a former chairman of the South-East Security Committee, General Obi Umahi (retd.), have differed on the increasing level of insecurity in Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states.
While Stan-Lanbo insisted that the continued breach of security in the South-East should be blamed on years of marginalisation of the region by the government, Umahi stated that governors in the region should take the blame for the killings and kidnapping.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Stan-Lanbo said, “We need to see the efforts from the government to make the average person on the street to feel safe and have a sense of belonging. Those in authority should try to see that there is enough inclusiveness in the way they go about things.
“Everything should be done to bring in those who feel that they no longer want to be part of the family. They should get them back to the family. It should be by appeasing them and not by using force.
“The year 2023 is coming around; we shall have a fresh set of leaders as well. There will be a new set of appointments. We hope we will not have a situation where those appointed will come from a particular region.
“Such act does not make my country safe for any of us. Those who are creating these problems have two or three passports. As we speak, their children are abroad, but we are here killing each other.
“Solving the problem of insecurity in the South-East will call for a multifaceted approach, including political solutions. It goes beyond the formation of Ebubeagu to enjoy peace in the region. How have you tried to make the Igbo man have a sense of belonging in the Nigerian state?”
They say IPOB should be called terrorists. If you ask me, I don’t think they should be called terrorists. The solution is that we should look for a way to bring some of these people to the negotiation table.
“We must talk to several other stakeholders; we must talk to elders in the communities, we must be talking with political leaders. You have to talk to people who these boys can listen to.”
However, Umahi said some politicians and elites from the South-East region were exploiting the fragile security situation in the region for their selfish gains.
He asked Nigerians to blame the sitting governors of the region for the carnage that had characterised the recent development in the South-East.
Speaking during a programme on TVC and monitored by Saturday PUNCH, Umahi said if the governors were honest with their fight against insecurity in the region, they should have strengthened the regional security outfit, Ebubeagu, with enough finance and moral support to address the menace.
The South-East Governors’ Forum had on August 31, 2019, appointed Umahi as the chairman of the committee.
The committee was asked to draft a framework for the establishment of a South-East joint security outfit to cater to the security needs of the zone.
READ ALSO: Insecurity: INEC Shuts CVR Operations In Four Anambra LGAs
However, most of the South-East governors were said to have refused to fund the security outfit, a development that made Umahi to resign on June 4, 2021, as chairman of the committee.
The retired soldier noted, “There are some political elites that leverage the security situation in the South-East for their selfish gains. They thought they could use the situation to their advantage during the election. But if the governors were proactive, all of these would have been avoided.
“The issues of insecurity in the South-East were orchestrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra. When some politicians want to settle scores, they begin to look for bandits.
“When it was brewing, as the chairman of the security committee, I noticed that some clerics were propagating IPOB and I condemned it. But people were afraid and refused to speak out against it.’’
“I knew what to do, but the means to do it was not available. A General does not like a situation where he knows that he can deal with a thing but does not have the resources to deal with it. That is frustration.
News
Ajayi Crowther Varsity Appoints First Female VC
The Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, has announced the appointment of Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university.
This was contained in a statement issued by the university and made available to The PUNCH on Thursday.
In the statement, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, was hailed as an exceptional and distinguished administrator, “whose leadership over the past five years elevated the institution to new heights.”
Adebayo’s tenure as ACU VC comes to an end at the end of this month.
Speaking during a ceremony held to celebrate Prof Adebayo after the University’s Governing Council meeting on Wednesday, Chairman of the council and Pro Chancellor of the University, Dr Olutoyin Okeowo, said that the external auditor’s report submitted to the council indicated ‘tremendous’ growth while also unveiling Prof Ebunoluwa Oduwole as the incoming Vice-Chancellor.
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Okeowo said, “Between the period that Prof Adebayo became the Vice-Chancellor in 2020 and now, this University has witnessed tremendous growth. I must say that this growth is being recorded at a time that the nation is going through a challenging economy.
“Those in economic management and finance expert will understand this; if you look at the micro economic indices of the country in the past five years, you would see that it has been quite challenging. Most institutions that are not well managed or do not have someone that is very creative and disciplined at the helms of affairs are not likely to stand the economic storm we have had in this country.
“But Prof Adebayo has been able to ensure yearly growth of this University. I want o say this is highly commendable. On behalf of Anglicans in the Supra West, I want to say thank you.”
The Pro-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the support of the University’s management, principal officers and all staff in ensuring the success of Prof. Adebayo’s tenure, noting that the council recognises their contributions and remains grateful to everyone.
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Okeowo continued, “In our meeting today, it was made clear that a tree does not make a forest. Prof Adebayo has achieved so much simply because he has a team; dedicated team, principal officers and members of the University’s staff. You all contributed to his success in the past five years, so on behalf of all Anglicans in the Supra West, I want to say thank you to you all. It is a team work that worked so well”
The council chairman restated the goal of the council to develop the University and elevate its ranking among the best institutions in the world.
“When we came on board, we had a clear goal and objective that this University must be ranked among the best 1000 Universities in the world. That is still our objective and I have the assurance that you can still deliver on that,” he said
Okeowo also introduced Prof Adebayo’s successor, Prof Ebunoluwa Oduwole, calling for the cooperation of all staff to ensure that she also records a successful tenure in office.
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“Let me also use this opportunity to welcome the incoming Vice Chancellor, Prof, Mrs Ebunoluwa Oduwole. She is making history as the first female Vice-Chancellor of this University. I am sure that you will give her the best cooperation so that she will excel in all ramifications. Support he also with your prayers,” said Okeowo.
While praising the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Willliams Aladekugbe, who is also a member of the governing council, said it was not a mistake that Prof. Adebayo was chosen five years ago to lead the University.
“The choice of Adebayo was not a mistake but a blessing. Under his watch, the University has recorded several achievements in academic and infrastructural developments. It means God was with us while making the choice,” said Aladekugbe.
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The outgoing VC Adebayo had, on June 20, 2025, lauded the Mind Education programme, which has been integrated into the university’s curriculum, as a “highly impactful initiative” that is already yielding significant positive outcomes for its students.
Speaking after a three-day Mind Education Camp, spearheaded by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Ronke Ogunmakin, and supported by a team of Mind Educators from South Korea, Adebayo highlighted the programme’s global reach and proven track record.
News
Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.
The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.
Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.
READ ALSO:Teacher In Police Net For Tying, Beating Pupil In Bauchi
He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.
“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.
“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Ready, Willing To Host Commonwealth Games — Tinubu
The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.
Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.
News
Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.
The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.
Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.
In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.
READ ALSO:Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Is Dead
A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.
“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!
“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”
“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.
The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.
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