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HURIWA urges Ugwuanyi To Immortalise Legendary Broadcaster Paddy Eke

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As a way of sending its letter of condolence to broadcasters all over the country and especially to the governor and the people of Enugu State, civil rights advocacy group Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to name the faculty of Mass Communication of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) after the late legendary broadcaster Chief Patrick Ezeja Eke (Paddy Eke).

The group said : “We have learnt of the passage of one of the most Iconic broadcasters and journalists East of the Niger, the Enugu State- born former professional broadcaster Chief Patrick Ezeja Eke. We the entire members of the media-oriented human rights body, are by this public statement extending our condolences and solidarity to the governor of Enugu State and the good people of Enugu and indeed the South East of Nigeria over the demise of a great man who glamorized broadcasting and deployed his immense media talents to promote harmony, national peace and to champion respect for constituted authority.

“HURIWA recalled with nostalgia that Chief Patrick Ezeja Eke (Paddy Eke) started his professional career in broadcasting in 1966 with Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Service (ENBS).He was a prominent voice during the Biafran war, when he broadcast to the sound of bombs detonating dangerously close by. That was from 1967 – 1970.

“HURIWA notes also that this iconic journalist  took a course in Broadcasting at the BBC London in 1979. He rose through the ranks to become Controller of Programmes when Eastern broadcasting was reborn and became Anambra Broadcasting Service in 1985. In 1997 he became Director of Programmes. In recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of Enugu State in general and the broadcast media in particular, he was made Justice of Peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – a worthy achievement – in 1998. He became the Chairman, Board of Directors of ESBS after his retirement in 1999, under the administration of the then governor of Enugu State – Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. He gave 35 years of active life to the career he loved so much – Broadcasting.May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord”.

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HURIWA recalled that the late broadcaster was a contemporary of the equally iconic broadcaster and film star Chief Pete Edochie even as the group stated thus: “We know that governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will use his powers to ensure that the memories of this great son of Igbo land is extolled and engraved. There is the imperative need for the Enugu State government to consider honouring the beautiful memories of their great son. This honour will also spur on hundreds of other broadcasters and journalists of Enugu State and South East to also dedicate their professional careers to the service and advancement of humanity and the nation.

“HURIWA recalls that recently the Anambra State governor honored their own version of iconic broadcaster- Chief Pete Edochie who is a contemporary of Chief Paddu Eke now of blessed memory. Even though 70-year-old Pete Edochie is an accomplished actor, not many know that the man famous for his ‘Okonkwo’ role in the ‘Things Fall Apart’ movie was a broadcaster.Edochie who worked with the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), retired in 1998 and faced Nollywood squarely.The actor alongside his former colleagues had reason to smile recently, as the Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, paid their gratuities which had been owed them for a really long time.

“Pete Edochie, Offokaja and other ABS retirees receive their gratuities. First batch of retirees of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) today received their long outstanding gratuities from the office of the Anambra state Accountant General. ”

Among the recipients are Mr. Boniface Offokaja, former Director General of the organisation who retired in 1984. Another retiree and recipient, Nollywood legend, Chief Pete Edochie, MON who retired from ABS as Director of Programmes in 1998 was full of praise for Governor Willie Obiano for fulfilling his promise to clear outstanding pension and gratuities of the organisation. “Many of us have lost hope that we will ever receive our gratuities.

Despite our meritorious service to Anambra state, successive governments chose to neglect us. What Governor Willie Obiano has done today is remarkable. We are praying for him because he is a compassionate governor. ”

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Toyin Falola Honoured In Canada For Contribution To African Studies

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Prof. Toyin Falola

The Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS) has awarded United States-based Nigerian professor of history Toyin Falola the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to African Studies .

In a letter announcing the award, CAAS told Prof. Falola that it recognized his exceptional contributions, unwavering dedication, and profound impact on the field of African Studies in Canada and beyond.

The CAAS Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to African Studies recognizes senior scholars who have been engaged actively as CAAS stalwarts and have retired or nearing retirement. The requirements are (1) a lifetime of sound scholarship; (2) accomplishments  (research, teaching and mentoring awards, etc.) and (3) involvement in the activities of CAAS.

The letter said: “Your achievements as a renowned historian and an esteemed member of the academic community meet all these criteria at an extremely high level.Throughout your illustrious career, you have made significant contributions to the advancement of African Studies, leaving an indelible mark on the discipline. Your pioneering research, insightful publications, and dedication to mentoring a new generation of scholars have significantly enriched our understanding of Africa’s history, culture, and society. Your  profound influence extends beyond research and publications. You have been actively engaged in the academic community, serving as a keynote speaker at CAAS conferences (as we can witness at this year’s conference) and co-organizing the successful CAAS conference at York University in 1991. Your tireless efforts in reviewing scholarly works for the Canadian Journal of African Studies and your longstanding role on the editorial board of the Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora at York University further demonstrate your commitment to advancing the field.

“In addition to your invaluable contributions to CAAS, your impact on the Canadian academic landscape is remarkable. As an external examiner at esteemed Canadian universities, including the University of Toronto, York University, Dalhousie, Trent University, and Queens University, you have played an integral role in shaping the academic rigor and quality of African Studies programs across the country. Moreover, your mentoring of Africanist scholars based in Canada has nurtured and inspired a new generation of researchers and intellectuals. In that regard, you have supervised more than 100 Master’s and Doctoral dissertations in your areas of specialization. Your noteworthy achievements have garnered global recognition and acclaim. You have been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the 2011 Distinguished Africanist Award from the African Studies Association (ASA) and an impressive tally of over 40-lifetime awards from various countries. With 16 honorary doctorates  documented in your vita, you stand as a true luminary in the field. Recently, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at State House, Abuja, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on you, one of the nation’s oldest and highest merit honors, the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). This is proof of the degree of recognition that you have enjoyed in your homeland.

“On behalf of the Canadian Association of African Studies, I extend our deep congratulations to you on this well-deserved honor. Your exceptional contributions, unwavering commitment, and outstanding achievements serve as an inspiration to all Africanists and scholars in related fields in Canada and globally.”

The letter added: “Please note that the award will be formally announced at the CAAS Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 5:00 pm. The venue for the meeting is Founders College, FC 152, York University, and the event will be in a Hybrid format. More information will be provided to enable you to invite family and friends to witness the award ceremony segment of the AGM.” The letter was signed by Nduka Otiono, PhD.

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ASUU Loses On ‘No Work, No Pay,’ Wins On IPPIS

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BREAKING: Govt Wins As Industrial Court Orders ASUU To Suspend Strike
ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke

It was not a complete defeat of university teachers as the National Industrial Court (NIC) ruled on the “no work, no pay” policy in the suit filed by the federal government under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The suit was against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following the university teaching staff union’s eight months industrial action in 2022.

The Nigerian Government had filed a suit before the NIC against ASUU over the demand of the union for the payment of their salaries from February 14 to October 7, 2022, when the strike was called off.

While the union insisted on getting their payment for all the months they embarked on strike, the Nigerian government under former President Muhammadu Buhari refused, insisting on implementing its “no work, no pay” policy against the lecturers.

Ruling on a suit filed against the union by the government, the industrial court held that the no work no pay rule enforced by the Nigerian government against members of ASUU who went on strike in 2022 is legal.

The court in a judgment delivered by its President, Justice Benedict Kanyip, ruled that it is within the right of the Nigerian government to withhold salaries of workers who embark on an industrial action.

However, the court held that it is a violation of University Autonomy for the Nigerian Government to impose the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform on members of ASUU who reserve the right to determine how their salaries should be paid.

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Stop Panic Buying, Fuel Subsidy Removal Not Immediate – Tinubu

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Why I Stopped Using Social Media - Tinubu
President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the removal of subsidy would not be immediate and that they should stop panic buying of petroleum.

The president’s position was stated by the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Media Centre.

In a statement, the centre urged the public to relax panic-buying that has ensued as a result of his speech.

The statement explained the development is neither new nor an action of his new administration.

The Tweet reads: “The public is advised to note that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that “subsidy is gone” is neither a new development nor an action of his new administration.

“He was merely communicating the status quo, considering that the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last for only the first half of the year.

“Effectively, this means that by the end of June, the Federal Government will be without funds to continue the subsidy regime, translating to its termination.

“The panic-buying that has ensued as a result of the communication is needless; it will not take immediate effect.

“Furthermore, President Tinubu was clear about his plans to re-channel the funds previously devoted to the payment of subsidies into better investments that will cushion the effects of the removal on the general public, especially the poor of the poor. This includes but is not limited to investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions of Nigerians and increase their earning potential.”

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