GREGORY UNIVERSITY ABSORBS RETURNING UKRAINE STUDENTS

…Urged Nigerian Schools to do same
BY EMMANUEL UKPONG

The Chancellor and Founder of Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, Professor Gregory Ibe has urged the various Nigerians Tertiary Institutions to emulate the recent kind gestures as displayed by the school, to the Ukraine Retuning Students.

This is even as Gregory University has announced her resolve to absorb Nigerian students whose education was precipitously halted indefinitely, consequent on the extant Russia/Ukraine war.

In a release signed by the Director of Public Relations, Dr. O. A. Chukwu, the renowned educationist, amidst empathy implored other universities to tow this line that they are now championing.
The release read in detail:

“Rising from the unfortunate situation in Eastern Europe on the war between Russia and Ukraine, a great number of Nigeria Students pursuing their academic programmes in the Federation of Ukraine have had their educational activities abruptly brought to a halt and suspended indefinitely.

“This sad situation may adversely impact these Nigerian students and cause untoward outcomes in their quest for academic excellence.

“The chancellor and founder of Gregory University Uturu, Professor Gregory Ibe has by this release, offered continuation of tertiary learning for these affected students of Nigerian heritage who are now gradually making their ‘way back to our fatherland.

“The chancellor, Professor Gregory Ibe, strongly believes this is the right way to go in order to attenuate the plight currently being faced by these Nigerian students who through no fault of theirs are now being caught up in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

“It is pertinent to note that at forward-thinking Gregory University Uturu whose guiding principles are predicated on instilling acceptable social character, sublime learning, ideation and imbuement of knowledge for tomorrow, solutions to challenges are always being thought out and are at semper paratus status for deployment just as these sad situation of Ukraine based Nigerian students have brought about.

“We also call on other universities to tow this line that we are now championing.

“Gregory University Uturu with ambient environment, current technology and equipment, brilliant faculty and modern pedagogy is poised to continue bringing to reality the phenomenon of bridging the town and gown in all facets of the Nigerian social experience.”

*EgyptAir Expands Operations in Nigeria*

Egyptian national carrier, EgyptAir, has widened its operations in Nigeria with new partnership and opening of ticketing offices in Lagos and Ibadan.

The expansion is in reaction to the growing number of Nigerian travellers visiting the country and transiting on the carrier.

EgyptAir Country Manager, Muharram Abdel Rahman, at the launch of a partnership with Wakanow, said the new offices aim at giving customers easy access to services by leveraging the strength of partners.

“This partnership will see EgyptAir open City Ticketing Offices through the Wakanow Travel Centre network across Nigeria, enabling our plans to expand our operations further into the Northern and Southern parts.

“EgyptAir was established in 1932 as the first airline in Africa and the Middle East and the seventh in the world. The airline also has a rich history in Nigeria being only the second airline to land in the country. We are proud to be an African airline and we have been serving Nigeria now for more than 56 years,” Rahman said.

Expressing his excitement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wakanow, Adebayo Adedeji, said the partnership is a boost for the service providers and a win-win for all.

“Our technological know-how and our footprint will help EgyptAir serve its customers. For us, this is not a game changer; this is the game. The game for us is innovation. We are not competing because innovation does not need competition.

“Innovation is driven by thinking about the customer and taking care of them and EgyptAir is willing to take care of the customer.

Wakanow is the only Travel Agency in Nigeria that can facilitate visa on arrival to Cairo through our partnership with EgyptAir and Karnak. We are doing this for the customer because we believe that when we take care of the customer the customer will end up taking care of us,” Adedeji said.

*CBN’s visionary intervention in agriculture reduced impact of hunger — Economist*

Prof. Ken Ife, a foremost Professor of Economics, says that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) visionary intervention in agriculture and agro-allied value chains has helped to reduce the impact of hunger in the country.

Ife stated this at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, at the weekend during an International Business and Leadership Summit with the theme: “Productivity Development in the New Normal.”

The summit heralded the public presentation of a book “Productivity Development’’ Manual and its workbook, as a practical guide to increase everyday productivity of Nigerians across all socio-economic, socio-political and educational strata.

According to him, the CBN vision of getting Nigerians back to the land and implementing clear cut agricultural programmes have saved the nation from the impact of hunger.

Ife, an Economic Consultant to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said: “The visionary CBN intervention is feeding most Nigerians today, as well as some neighbouring countries.

“If not by the grace of God that the apex bank pursued vigorously these agricultural programmes meant to return thousands of Nigerians back to land, the story would have been so different today.

“So one asked why the agricultural produce was not enough. It is because the projection for the whole intervention is only for our real number, which is about 200 million.

“But, today, as a nation, we are feeding 300 million people. The additional number, which is 100 million people, are from our neighbouring francophone countries within the ECOWAS sub-region.

“On regular basis, you see them come to our big local boundary markets, buy and stock truck loads of food stuff heading to their countries, where the hunger situation is beating harder,” he said.

Reviewing the book, Prof. Steve Egbo, one of the Executive Directors of Nigeria Television Authority, said that Mr Nduka Awuregu, Director-General of South-East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), has provided solution to under performance in various spheres of life.

Egbo, represented by Mr Chidi Okolie, noted that the 12 chapter-book dealt extensively on time management and through it “one can work smarter rather than harder.”

“The book is a practical guide to individuals, team, time and resources management; as well as increase in profitability and resourcefulness,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christian Anieke, noted that everyone needed a practical manual and guide such as the book – Productivity Development – to help us manage time and resources well.

Anieke said: “Therefore, to be more productive and achieve greater results, you simply need to have this book (manual) and enroll into the university’s Productivity Development Certificate Course as well.”

Speaking, the author, Awuregu, said that the book was a product of his decades of experience in the business and academic world.

He said it would definitely enable greater achievements in income and prosperity for those that would apply the knowledge in the book to practical daily work and lifestyle.

*Nigerian airlines cancel more flights as fuel scarcity continues*

BY EMMANUEL UKPONG

The fuel scarcity in Nigeria has taken a toll on the airline industry with several flights reportedly delayed or cancelled due to lack of jet fuel.

Nigeria largest carrier, Air Peace, confirmed recently in Lagos that the shortage will impact on a number of its flights to Dubai and Johannesburg, its major routes.

Its other major airline, Arik Air, also confirmed it will experience many delays from onwards and many domestic flights will have to be cancelled if the problem persists.

According to Reuters, Nigeria imports almost all its jet fuel, which has nearly doubled to as high as 625 naira ($1.50) per liter since December, Arik Air said.

At Nigeria’s busiest airports in Lagos and Abuja, aircraft scheduled to fly were parked for hours waiting for fuel.

Local media reports, that airlines like Ibom Air could not fly most of their aircraft on Tuesday, March 8, due to fuel scarcity. The airline admitted to the situation and predicted the situation may extend to longer.

“We have encountered a situation today where aviation fuel is scarce and therefore unavailable at almost all our flight destinations. This has significantly impacted our flight schedule today (Tuesday) and may do the same tomorrow (Wednesday).

“At this time, we have no indication when the issue will be resolved, however, we are working with our fellow airlines and fuel suppliers to find a solution. ” the airline said.

Dana Air also found itself in the same situation lwhere most of their flights were cancelled due to scarcity of fuel.

Late last month (February), one of Nigerians airlines, Air Peace informed passengers that some of their flights were delayed due to scarcity. The airline said their Lagos to Port Harcourt flight for 14:30 on February 15 was delayed due to lack of fuel and the Port Harcourt to Abuja flight for 16:25 and Abuja to Lagos for 16:25 were also affected.

Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria imports almost all its jet fuel.

Motorists have also been suffering from severe fuel shortages at the pumps for weeks.

Global oil prices have hit a 14-year peak after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.