By Amaechi Agbo

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Dr Stellar Ugwu, of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, had prepared her lecture for the final year class.

Stepping into her office on that very day in her simple and modest attire, she had no inkling of what was planned for her – her students have prepared a surprise ambush that will live with her.

Midway into the lecture, Dr Ugwu was unexpectedly interrupted by the students students as they began to file out in numbers to present various gifts to her on the podium

The heartwarming incident, which went viral on social media, has sparked widespread admiration across Nigeria for the unique bond between the teacher and her class.

The gifts were: a stylish black handbag, multiple packs of bottled water, various household goods, Curated gift envelopes and presents.

Visibly shocked by the gesture, the lecturer stood frozen at her pulpit before completely breaking down in tears as she processed the surprise. The lecture hall erupted into loud cheers, applause, and chants of appreciation from the students, who celebrated her like a hero by encircling her with hugs

ESUT Monitor can report that the presentation was organized as a token of gratitude for her “motherly care,” unwavering commitment, and the massive impact she has made on their academic journeys and personal lives.

At one point during the emotional exchange, the lecturer even attempted to draw out cash from her own pocket to give back to the students, but they warmly turned it down

In a short telephone interview with ESUT Monitor on Saturday, Dr Ugwu simply said “it was the shock of my life. I have not recovered from it. I was only doing my job with passion and everything in me,”

We will bring you more details of this noble gesture from the final year students of Sociology and Anthropology Department subsequently

The post How ESUT Sociology Students Shocked Their Lecturer With Gifts, Celebrations appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

By Chiekezie Emmanuel

As the gladiators gather and strategise for the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Enugu State has elected ESUT Lecturer, Dr Bookastro Nwogwugwu Ọgwụ Gburuscastro Sebastine as Secretary.

Dr. Sébastiine and other members of the State Executive Council were elected on Monday, May 4th, 2026 during the State Chapter election in Enugu state.

The state congress was actively monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in line with electoral guidelines.

The Zonal Vice Chairman of the party in the South East, Chief Teddy Obey, hailed the peaceful conduct of the congress and urged all members to key into the “Service Mantra” of the NDC.

The election comes less than 24 hours after the NDC gained national popularity following the defection of former governors Peter Obi (Anambra State and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State) to the party on Sunday.

Dr. Okafor, a seasoned Journalist, academia and former active member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Enugu, lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, ESUT.

He Bagged his Ph.D in 2025 in Broadcast and Communication management.

The post ESUT Lecturer Dr. Sebastine Okafor Elected Enugu State NDC Secretary appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

Food choices and preferences of people reflect their ancient heritage (ancient diet). Food habit of people depicts who they are as regard to diet and it is their identity. Take for instance upon meeting a young man in an African restaurant in the USA eating “ora soup” and “eba”, that shows that he is an Igbo man.

In the same restaurant, seeing another eating ‘ewedu soup” with “eba’, that shows that he is a Yoruba man and on seeing another eating starch and “owo soup”, you will conclude that he is from Niger Delta.

There was no formal introduction but their food has already expressed their origin. They are familiar with their indigenous foods, they know how to cultivate them, they know how to prepare them and they enjoy the meals containing them.

In the Western World, the major Nutritional problem is over-nutrition. This is as a result of the fact that carb foods are cheap and the poor segment of the population barely afford quality food hence their choice of high carbohydrate food which predisposes them to obesity.

In contrast, in developing World, their nutritional problem is multifactorial thereby leading to triple burden malnutrition. By triple burden, it means a situation whereby under-nutrition, over-nutrition and micronutrient malnutrition thrive in a given community.

In Nigeria for instance, the malnutrition suffered by the rich is over-nutrition (obesity), while the poor suffer from under-nutrition (underweight) and the naïve and ignorant suffer from micronutrient malnutrition (hidden hunger).

The best approach to conquer malnutrition in the developing World is through diet diversification which has a direct bearing on food security. To diversify diet, there is need to re-introduce all the underutilized foods that have gone extinct back to the table menu.

Underutilized foods are those foods with under-exploited potential for contributing to food security, health (nutritional and medicinal), income generation and environmental services. They are neglected and there is growing ignorance among the young people about the existence of these nutritionally rich food.

The reason for their under-exploitation are new discovery (technology of food processing), time to harvest from the forest, association with poverty and backwardness, and lack of knowledge about their nutritional and health implication.

A lot of underutilized foods has been identified through focus group discussion and stable isotope analysis (Nutrition Anthropology). Some underutilized vegetables include “erimmiri” Boerhavia diffuse, African tulip ‘ulumiri’ Spathodea campanulata, Bush marigold ‘Anwiniwa-ani’Aspilia Africana, gooseberry ‘Akpuru’ Phyllanthus debilis etc.

While some underutilized fruits include Hog plum “echikara” Spondian mombin, Black plum ‘mbembe’ Vitex doniana, African locust bean pulp ‘mkpuru ugba’ Parkia clappatoniana, among others

Dr. Nkemjika Umerah is a lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology, ESUT. Email: [email protected]

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A lecturer In the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT Mr Sebastine Okafor has resigned his membership of the Catholic Church.

Mr Sebastine’s resignation and denouncement of the church came after the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis approved blessing of same-sex couples by priests in the church.

Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.

Announcing his resignation in a letter made available to ESUT Monitor, the young lecturer stated that the announcement by the Church prompted him to reevaluate his identity with the church adding that even though he respects the Church’s prerogative to evolve its stance, he found myself in fundamental disagreement with the recent shift in policy.

He declared that going forward, he considers myself a full-time traditionalist, standing by the principles and values of the religion

Read his letter below;

Declaration of Resignation from Catholic Church Membership

Dear Friends,

I am writing to formally inform the general public of my decision to denounce and resign from my membership in the Catholic Church in to to.

The recent declaration by Pope Francis allowing the blessing of same-sex couples has prompted deep reflection on my part. While I respect the Church’s prerogative to evolve its stance, I find myself in fundamental disagreement with this particular shift in policy.

My association with the Catholic Church has been a significant part of my identity, but I believe it is essential to align my beliefs with an institution that better reflects my values. Therefore, I am choosing to denounce my membership and disassociate myself from any connection with the Catholic Church until such time that the Church in Nigeria clarifies its position on this matter.

This decision does not diminish the respect I hold for those with differing views or beliefs. It is a personal choice, guided by the need for consistency between my convictions and the institutions I am associated with.

Henceforth, I consider myself a full-time traditionalist, standing by my principles and values.

Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate the support and camaraderie we have shared within the Church.

Sincerely,

Sebastine Okafor (Bookastro)

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