₦airaland Forum

Instead of celebrating mediocrity as excellence, let us celebrate academic excellence.

UNIZIK is the university of the moment. They have the best academic excellence, best infrastructure. They are No.1 Nigerian university with substance. Am sure this list was drawn up by another yeroba man who is still living with the myth that they are the most educated whereas the opposite is the case.




AWKA — THE Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has emerged winners of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Imperial Barrel Award competed by African universities.

The university came first, scoring 79.33 percent, while Helwan University, Egypt and the Federal University of Technology,Akure came second and third respectively.

Eight universities in Nigeria participated in the competition, including Federal University of Technology, Owerri; University of Lagos; University of Ilorin; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Federal University of Technology, Akure; University of Ibadan and University of Calabar.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/unizik-wins-geo-sciences-competition-among-african-universities/

cjrane: Another great work by Gov. Peter Obi.
But where is the central car park for those visiting the hospital and the Drs. and Nurses car park?
Abi the patients are not expected to come in cars?

The site is very large. One of the largest state Teaching Hospital around. Am sure the car parked is already created.

Obi is the type of material that we need to lead this country..probably after GEJ completes his tenure in 2019.

Op let me help you with more video of the Anambra University Teaching Hospital- Awka


This is the link when you approach it from ABS/Express axis:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNmFk5z2NIw

This link is another access way from Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue by Macdons:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7FEC9kR7Nc

Water scheme, Nibo- Awka


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi15wQM2Y9M

Ongoing work at Our Lady of Lourdes College, Ihialla


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe4nLO0RPbg

Driving in Awka


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X42jQArqIwU

Anambra ICT Business Park - Onitsha


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6sXi2lDW24

Judges Quarters Onitsha


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhkloL1QbTA

First Onitsha Business Park:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG_W9Rh1B1k


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgE2IxAwdC4

Rural roads in Anambra:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajt7xRKDm4E

Anambra Secretariat- Awka


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPQ_l9DSBoo

Government House Annex Onitsha.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yYXnKZnTjs

Anambra school projects:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyJHn5EptzA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNmFk5z2NIw


Anambra State University Teaching Hospital- Awka: Watch Video



Back section of the hospital:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7FEC9kR7Nc

geeez: Now they are jubilating over a yet to be built bridge but hurling insults at my Oyo brothers for jubilating over a completed bridge.

Since GEJ has awarded the SND it is already as good as completed. Its not like in the case of obasamjor.

Abagworo=Chris-OD

Am not in for una senseless and incoherent argument. You guys has alot of complex, if not why must you people bring in other decent cities to align to Aba whenever it is attacked? But I will not fail to turn this thread into Somalia if you guys will not obey the rules of engagements and discuss and defend Aba/Abia state on its own merits without touching other better cities.

There was tumultuous joy in the South East last week especially among those living in the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs and including people in some parts of Edo, Delta and Imo states, when construction giant, Julius Berger, began mobilizing to site to commence the construction of the long awaited Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The presence of the construction giant at the foot of the Niger Bridge within the Onitsha axis and the berthing of several barges belonging to the company triggered jubilation in various parts of the commercial city and attracted widespread commendation for the Federal Government. Julius Berger won the contract to construct the long awaited bridge across River Niger. Two weeks ago, at the 43rd Julius Berger Annual General Meeting (AGM), its Managing Director, Mr Wolfgang Goetsch disclosed that the Federal Government had given Julius Berger a letter of intent, which would enable it to do preliminary work such as soil testing and engineering design.

He explained that the bridge would be built under the private-public partnership arrangement.

“A consortium that included a South African firm participated in the bidding for the project. In January 2013, our group became the preferred bidder. We are excited because it will be the first of its kind in Nigeria,” he noted.

Investigation by Sunday Sun revealed that Julius Berger brought to the agreement table, the sum of N100billion, while the Federal Government is paying 30 percent equity.

The 30 percent equity by government, according to our investigation, would be generated through the SURE-P programme.

Giving insight into the project, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Works on Media, Mr Tony Ikpasaja, said the total length of the bridge including the accompanying road is 12.4 kilometres.

Said Ikpasaja: “the entire bridge and approach road is 12.4Km. The bridge itself is 1.8km, while the approach road is 10.6km.”

He said, “the approach road begins from Asaba before the airport, and veers to the right to hit the bridge, while from the bridge, the road takes you into Onitsha-Owerri road and also, to Onitsha-Enugu road.”

When Sunday Sun visited the Onitsha River Port located few metres away from the Old Niger Bridge which is temporarily being used by officials of Julius Berger, there were many barges that had berthed along the River Niger laden with some heavy equipment belonging to the construction giant.

Among the barges were those with registration no IMO 9362554 5 NLD5 carrying some equipment to be used by site engineers who were busy in various parts of the state conducting what they termed preliminary analysis.

Though Julius Berger Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mr. Joseph Ojelade declined comments on the preparation for the full commencement of the project, a senior site engineer who pleaded anonymity on the ground that he was not authorized to speak to the press said the company was ready to complete the project on time and to specifications.

“As you see, we have started mobilizing to the site. It is part of the things that distinguishes us from other construction companies and we will not like to let Nigerians who have trust in us down. Some of these equipment that have started arriving belong to the small category that we are using to conduct our preliminary analysis. What we are doing now is to bring these equipment down. Many of the barges have arrived and we have offloaded these ones and have gone back to bring others.”

“We are just doing preliminary works, pending the finalization of the contract. We are still waiting for that. We are thinking maybe in two months time, that is my thinking though, I’m not so sure.”

On the future of the existing Niger Bridge , the site engineer said “we don’t know what will happen to the existing bridge, I don’t think the bridge is completely damaged. They will not pull it down; it may still be in existence even after the completion of the second Niger Bridge. It’s the Federal Government that will determine the fate of the existing bridge but as a company we are more focused on the job given to us to construct the new bridge across the River Niger.”

Also speaking, another staff member of Julius Berger who also didn’t want his name in print said “the second bridge will come but the time of the completion is what I can’t tell because it should only be known by the top management of the company and as for me, I don’t have any business with the time and specification of the project.”

On the challenges facing the company so far at the time of the project, he said “we have not experienced any difficulty yet. We are a good contracting firm and that was why when we bid for the contract, after evaluation and critically analysing the companies that made bids, we were chosen as the best to handle it and I can tell you that we shall have no problem that could hamper the timely delivery and completion of the second Niger Bridge.”

Meanwhile, so many prominent Igbo sons and daughters have lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for fulfilling his campaign promise of constructing the second Niger Bridge, adding that the zone had been made to pass through untold hardship because of the failure of successive governments to construct the bridge.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe said the need for the second Niger Bridge cannot be overemphasized, noting “the bridge when completed will help not only Ndigbo but all Nigerians and will also open up this part of the country for economic viability. We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for delivering on his campaign promises.”

Igwe Achebe also expressed satisfaction with the construction company that was awarded the contract, saying “when I heard that the contract for the construction of the second bridge was awarded to Julius Berger, I quickly knew that the Federal Government was sincere in the construction of the bridge.”

The former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife also thanked the Federal Government for the commencement of the construction of the second Niger Bridge and urged them to make sure that nothing hampers the timely completion of the important project.

“The Federal Government must make sure that paucity of funds does not affect the construction and completion of the Second Niger Bridge . It must be able to pay for all certificates generated by the contruction company and I wish to tell Julius Berger that they have attained a certain level of height in the country through quality jobs, they must not fail this time because this project is very important to the country and Africa in general.”

Member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife further challenged Ndigbo to remain grateful to President Jonathan for the commencement of the construction of the second Niger Bridge, adding that the zone had never had it so good.

She thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing good judgment to determine the award of the contract to a competent contracor, adding “the exercise for the award of the contract was characterized by good judgment and the federal government did well in allowing competence take the centre stage instead of personal gains. Second Niger Bridge is not a project that should be handled by just any construction company but we are proud that a competent international company got the contract and has started mobilizing to the site.”

For the President General Ndigbo United Assembly, Sir Peter Okala, the development called for celebration. According to him, “even if the project does not begin immediately, we are happy that at last, we are seeing visible efforts being made by the Federal Government to construct and complete the bridge.”

“Ndi Igbo are indeed very happy and we shall continue to supervise the project, give the contractors adequate security to do their job without any hindrance. On that angle, Ndigbo United Assembly shall collaborate with security agencies to give maximum security to the contractors to allow for good job. The second Niger Bridge, when completed, will not benefit only Igbo people but the country at large because it will help Nigeria regain its lost economic leadership in the rest of the Africa continent and the world at large.”

A business mogul, Chief Godwin Okeke also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the commencement of the project, stressing that it will help reduce dangers of travelling often caused by failed roads all over the country and poor bridges where they existed.

“For the business class, it calls for celebration because we are going to experience a turnaround in reviving the economy of Ndigbo. Let me tell you, before now, Ndigbo have been experiencing very bad days in business but I have strong belief that the bridge when completed will open up all businesses in this part of the country and we will be exporting our goods to the rest of the country.”

He further described as unfortunate the condition of the only existing bridge that links South-East to the rest of the world before the intervention of President Jonathan and expressed optimism that the company handling it would deliver the project on time and to specifications.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/second-niger-bridge-jubilation-in-south-east-as-julius-berger-moves-to-site/

Peter Obi 'okwute ndigbo gburu gburu' is the most decent governor in Nigeria. He was appoint Presidential adviser on finance due to fiscal responsibility. GEJ cannot afford to not to relate closely with economic gurus as Obi. Obi is a good administrator who has grown world class businesses from the scratch.

Chris-OD:
That is your opinion. I know all the places very well and I do not see any difference between them.

Which place do you know? When last did you visit Upper Iweka or Onitsha in its entirety? Onitsha is light years ahead of Aba in all its ramifications and decency. Discuss and defend Aba ngwa on its merits don't bring another far better city to align with it. I restate it Aba has no equals in being the dirtiest, rotten infrastructure, disorganization, etc.

I hope you do not want us to turn this thread of yours into a e-war zone. Gbalu ogwu gi nuo..before it will start.

Chris-OD:
Not the State, just Aba (similar to Onitsha, a large chunk of Lagos and most of Ibadan)
Other parts of Abia trump many parts of Nigeria. Check out Abriba, etc.

Why can't you guys defend Aba and Abia state on its merits without trying to aligning it to other far better and decent cities? Discount Onitsha from your postulation. Probably you are talking of Onitsha of 7-10years ago. Onitsha is far far cleaner, organized, sane than Aba 10x. Aba is in its own league and class. There is no part of Nigeria that is like Aba. That is fact..

IGBO-SON:
It takes months -if not years- for any little progress to be made in that state! I remember it was last year we were hearing of moves by Obi to sanitise the Upper Iweka/Bridge Head area, and months after we're yet to see any appreciable results.

Also, could someone help me tell the Governor to ensure the area is 'greened up' as well......with well spaced trees planted, and well-trimmed grasses planted were necessary.

It is called planning..

Obi plans months in ahead for any project he is to execute. He is very consistent with all his programmes and projects. The 5 star hotel, Shoprite and ICC in Onitsha, even the Agulu Lake Hotel Resort-Awka were all planned about 3years ago but today they are all standing. If you do not plan, you plan to fail.

Obi is not a regular Nigerian governor who wakes up one morning and start doing something he never planned for. Such projects are usually abandoned because there is no fund ab-initio to implement it. The picture the Op, post is about 7 months ago, the level of work has gone far.

Obi is not focusing on comestics activities on the state capitals like most governor does. He is spreading development all over, making every part of Anambra habitable and comfortable unlike most part of SE. Anambra is a state where somebody will live in Agulu and even Ekwuluobia and goes to work in Awka; another will be living in Oba or Nsugbe and goes to work every day in Onitsha.

This is due to wide development in the state, every corner of the state has basic infrastructure as assess roads, health centers, electricity, etc, such things as this are still dream in most of SE areas. That is why Anambra is presently achieving MDG which was recently confirmed by the world bank.

Obi equally made this possible because of his personal relationship with Jonathan. People should be grateful to this giant strider who breaks all ground and frontiers for Anambra to remain the envy of all.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-sBaR0OZo

The last I checked Obi built a modern standard hospital from the scratch to finish- Anambra State University Teaching Hospital in Awka (ASUTH). The one in Onitsha is a General hospital.

The last I checked Obi built a modern standard hospital from the scratch to finish- Anambra University Teaching Hospital in Awka (ASUTH).

InvertedHammer: I know Awka very well. I went to school in Awka back in the days when Joneb was ond of the reigning godfathers.

From Ekwunife's hotel to Palos Verdes (lawyer with a hat) hotel. I know the owners of most hotels in Awka on personal level. When Queens Suite was started by the brothers I mentioned earlier, I was there. Truly, Awka has changed a little bit. But as a city...NO WAY! A lot of happenings is around Iyi-Agu. I am a night-crawler. Driving around Awka at night has some eerie feelings to it especially if you hit the expressway from the Iyi-Agu/Unizik entrance. And when NEPA strikes, the little you can make out of the city is eroded. It is developing but it is still far behind as a state capital. Infact, it is an eye sore. I think it is the least developed state capital in Nigeria, especially considering how resourceful Anambra people (of course I am from Anambra) could be.

The first time I went to Twitter Lounge was with a member of the House of Assembly. The inside of the club is first class. I bow for the owner. Ekwunife's hotel is a den of female prostitutes at night. Around Marble Arc, nothing. Pokobros own is nice but too close to the freeway for comfort. Ngige's hotel is nice too. Most new developments in Awka are only students' hostel and hotels. And these are haphazardly outlined without any planning. Am I lying?

Imagine you that attended UNIZIK during Joneb 90s this is 2013. The only thing I will agree with you are number of cosmetics which are already being done, apart from that Awka has some of the finest architectures. Calling it an eye sore shows that you have not been to Awka recently. I bet you alot has changed, roads are being paved, relaxation points, hospitality and private sectors investors are coming in to invest. Awka as a city has nice decent structures even as a young state capital than most state capitals, if it continues with this pace it will surpass some old state capitals. Zik Avenue area is lighted at nite, this has made nite life around there to be 100%. Hospitality industry is growing so fast, which has made Onitsha boys and other visitors to storm the city every weekend.

The Onitsha-Awka dual carriage expressway is another negative area, of which work has resumed on it for reconstruction and expansion up to Amansea end of the express. For people who knew Upper Iweka and the entire corridor of the express a year ago, will marvel at its sight now. The place has been transformed from Headbridge-Upper Iweka-Ziks-Junction-Nkpor and it continues to Awka.

So the same thing has happened in Awka, for the people that last got there 2-3years ago marvels at it now due to huge improvement. It happened to me, when I got to Awka to do my Masters late last year I almost could not recognize Arthur Eze, Court Road, Teaching hospital, new Library, Zik Ave, Fire service etc. There is another dual carriageway that is being done at GRA junction, it leads you into the heart of GRA areas. When I got to Udoka estate to see my family friends I could liken the estate to some of high brow areas of Ikoyi. Abuja estate where Orient Petroleum has its Headqtres around Barnhill is another beauty to behold. Again Awka is a place I have not seen houses built without long span aluminium, bringing out the aesthetics.

Even now that the UN masterplan is being implemented, roads are widened; presently Amawbia by-pass is being expanded to fit the traffic on it. I can go on and on. The fact is that people that were here few year back still have that thought but it changes immediately they returns. It happened to me, so bro whenever you comes back, hallaa me. dalu

I wish all 'em well..

Meet the Cameroonian born owner of Twitter Lounge.


Nollywood star Barry Luke Che is about to launch a new club in Awka following the success of Ecstasy Lounge, his Asaba based club.

Here is the official statement from the Cameroon born actor’s office.

Another new lounge/night club from Movie Actor/Producer/Show Biz guru, Barry Luke Che, the Cameroonian born entertainment Icon, TWITTER LOUNGE & NIGHT CLUB is located not far from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University of Awka, beside QUEENS SUITES and is an epitome of class and beauty.

It’s going to be the hottest club in the east and will operate 5 Days a week. It’s another celebrity hang-out for Nigerian and Ghanaian celebrities, with a much classier status than even his first club, Ecstasy Lounge,

THE GRAND OPENING WILL TAKE PLACE ON Friday 10th August 2012 and will be powered by CAMPARI and the South African brand REDDS. There will be a Red Carpet reception, cocktail exhibition by Campari, performances from Top Nigerian and Cameroonian musicians( Kora Award Nominees, BRIGHT PHASE from Cameroon), and will be attended by lots of Nollywood movie Directors, Producers, and Top actors including Frank Artus, Angela Okorie, Jim Iyke and many others.

Needless to overemphasize, the launching will be a mind blowing event.

Now you’ve heard from the event organizers, let’s get ready to troop out and show them some love.

@InvertedHammer:

Maybe ofocurse you are talking of Awka of 7-10years ago. I had my first degree here but by the time I got back to do my masters 3years later, I couldn't believe my eyes. A lot has changed. Even while I was doing my first degree the city bubbles how much now. There is better infrastructure now; from numerous road network to teaching hospital to e-library to Ikenga Mall @ behind Barnhill Resort. Iyi-Agu estate where the Queensuite is situated is another zone for Nite clubs and nite life activities. Population has equally grown, which has affected house rent and general cost of living. Private sectors are not left out, Onitsha and Nnewi boys are always here mostly weekends to make place thick. Hospitality industry and eateries have made the city a good and serene place to relax. Presently LG Electronics is about to complete their Mall/Boutique 5star hotel, this will revolutionize tourism in the entire SE. I will take out time to take more pix of places

More pictures of ongoing works in Onitsha city. The other lanes has been re-layed with ashphalt while the far right lane presently being laid with street lights.

Below is the road that leads to their government house.