This was stated by the Jigawa State chapter of the association under the leadership of Mr. Hussaini Gumel when they paid a courtesy call on Thursday evening to Governor Umar Namadi at Government House Dutse, the state capital.

According to Gumel, “Since the removal of fuel subsidy, our industry has been hit hard. Many Nigerians can no longer afford eggs, and our sales have plummeted,” attributing the decline in sales to the increasing economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.

The poultry farmers’ leader noted that the situation is further exacerbated by the rising costs of production, including feed and other inputs. “We’re struggling to keep our businesses afloat,” Mr. Gumel said.

The association’s members, comprising both men and women, face numerous challenges, particularly in accessing affordable poultry feeds. “It’s disheartening that chicken feeds are significantly cheaper in Jos, Plateau State, compared to Jigawa and many other states. This disparity has made it difficult for poultry farmers in Jigawa to maintain profitability,” Gumel lamented.

The current economic situation has further exacerbated the challenges, with many Nigerians struggling to afford chicken and eggs due to limited financial resources.

“There’s no market for our products, and the lack of sufficient money in circulation among people is alarming,” Mr. Gumel said, warning that the business is on the brink of collapse.

Decrying further, the chairman stated that “the poultry farmers also lack essential infrastructure, such as refrigerators and cooling devices, to preserve their products in the hot weather. “We’re appealing for government intervention to prevent losses due to damaged products,” Mr. Gumel urged, emphasizing the need for support to maintain the quality of their products.

He also highlighted the need for training and capacity-building programs, particularly for women involved in the poultry business, saying, “We need government support to facilitate training and empower our members, especially women at home who are engaged in poultry farming.”

To boost demand and support the industry, Gumel urged the government to consider including eggs in the school feeding scheme. “This would not only increase demand but also provide a stable market for our products, saving poultry business owners from collapsing,” he said, emphasizing the potential benefits for both the industry and the state’s economy.

Moreso, the chairman urged Namadi to consider providing support to egg producers in the state. “We need government intervention to cushion the effects of these economic hardships,” he said.

However, Gumel stressed the importance of the poultry industry to the state’s economy, noting that it provides employment and income for many residents. “We need government support to keep our businesses running,” he said.

The association’s leader also called for policies that would promote the growth of the poultry industry and promised to work closely with the government to identify areas where support is needed most. “We’ll provide necessary data and insights to inform policy decisions,” Gumel said.

Responding, the governor assured the poultry farmers of his administration’s support, promising to look into the challenges facing the industry, saying, “We’ll work together to find solutions.”

“I understand the challenges you’re facing, and I’m committed to supporting the poultry industry in Jigawa State. We’ll work together to identify solutions to the feed scarcity issue and explore ways to make it more affordable for your businesses,” he noted.

The governor, therefore, acknowledged the importance of the poultry industry to the state’s economy and promised to consider the association’s requests. “Your industry provides employment and income for many residents, and we must support its growth,” he said.

Namadi also expressed interest in exploring innovative solutions to support the industry, including potential partnerships with private sector stakeholders, assuring the poultry farmers that “We’ll look into providing training and capacity-building programs for your members, especially women, to enhance their skills and productivity.”

Punch reports that the egg producers’ plea comes as many Nigerians struggle to cope with the economic challenges posed since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, as the move has led to increased prices of goods and services, further squeezing the purchasing power of many citizens.

Punch Credited

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By Reuben Onyishi

Enugu – Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has signed into law the bill to create a one-stop shop for tax collection and administration in Enugu State, thereby ending multiple taxation.

Entitled the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (Establishment and Consolidation of Revenue Administration) Law, 2025, the new legislation also makes the revenue collection agency autonomous and free of bureaucratic encumbrances.

Speaking at the short bill signing ceremony at Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, Mbah described the law as a milestone in his administration’s quest to enable the Ease of Doing business and make the state the premier destination for investment.

“I recall several times that I have engaged the business community, the organised private sector, and the market women. They have always complained about multiple taxation. People coming from everywhere with different types of government receipts to ask them to pay tax. That will end from today.

“With the signing of this bill into law, we now have one revenue collection point, whether for the market women, the organised private sector, and the different agencies of government. You would have one clear point where to pay your tax and you will be issued with the appropriate receipt of payment. That means you no longer have any other person coming for the collection of tax.

“It is very important because one of the core indicators of the Ease of Doing Business is to make sure that you have the ease of payment of your taxes and you do not have multiple channels where you are being dragged to pay taxes.”

According to the governor, the new law would effectively consolidate the revenues of the state and local governments, with each tier of government getting what is due to it at the end of the day such as is obtainable in land charges and Value Added Tax, VAT.

“The idea is that you have one point of collection, but the split is also done to the different tiers of government that this revenue is essentially due to.

“It is also important that we make this point very clear that this idea of the State Internal Revenue Service collecting on behalf of the other tiers of government is nothing new. As some of you already know, the Land Use Charge is paid to the local government, but collected by the state. So, what we are doing now is essentially consolidate all the other revenue types to ensure that there is one point of collection. So, this is a major milestone and it would also help us have a full line of sight to all the revenues we have in the state,” he stated.

He further explained that the Enugu State Inland Revenue Service would henceforth become autonomous.

“The Enugu State Inland Revenue Service is now able to act as an autonomous institution of the state government. It also means that they can now set targets and try to meet those targets the same way you run a business. It means that they now have the powers to hire and fire their employees. So, we are increasingly making the Revenue Service a professional body,” he added.

Mbah took the opportunity to explain that contrary to some misinformation, the massive rise in the state’s IGR was inspired by widening the tax net, plugging revenue leakages, and deployment of technology, rather than increasing tax rate.

“Let me be clear, we have not increased any tax in Enugu State. What we have essentially done and which is impacting our revenue growth is expansion of the tax net. We have also made sure that monies that were collected in cash before now are now adequately captured and paid into the state coffers,” Mbah said.

He commended the Enugu State House of Assembly for their support every step of the way, noting with gratitude the expeditiousness with which they treat executive bills.

Earlier in his remark, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, described the bill as a turning point in revenue collection in the state.

“One, it is going to improve the Ease of Doing Business. It is also going to improve the IGR of the state and also block all the loopholes in revenue collection and administration. It is a very good gift to the people of Enugu State,” he said.

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On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the new Governing Council of ESUT members officially resumed duties following their inauguration by the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah at the Government House.

Shortly after, the Council members in company of the management of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie arrived ESUT where they were received by the workers, students and members of the University community.

Like a new sheriff in town and a Daniel who has come to judgement, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa known for his humility and unassuming disposition, left no one in doubt on what to expect from the new Council under him.

The workers and students had gathered at the VC’s entrance, earlier enough, defying the scorching 12noon sun to give the new council a rousing reception.

Arriving the university in a motocade, the new council members were taking round the university precinct for on-the-spot assessment of the school premises.

There was no doubt that the rigours of inauguration and the long journey down to Agbani from Enugu metropolis as well as the hot weather would have brought some fatigue on the chairman and his Council Members. But that was never the case.

Speaking to the workers shortly after alighting from the Coastal Bus, the new chairman addressed the university workers:

Action speaks louder than voice

In his first speech, the new Pro-Chancellor said he was not in ESUT to make speeches but rather to let his actions speak, instead.

“I am not used to flamboyant words, I believe that actions speak louder than voice. I believe also that the call of duty is a challenge to the brave. That is why when you see me as an accountant, I am being very careful with even words we make in public because if you are not able to back it with actions, one-plus-one will not give you two again. Because of that, let us see what is happening and see what we will do. Maybe as time passes, you may give us a name – talk and do,” he said in brevity

Rejection of umbrella

Aware that the new Chairman was sweaty, as a result the hotness of the weather, a staff of the university rallied round and produced an umbrella to cover the chairman while he was speaking.

Surprisingly, even without looking around, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa used his right hand to push the umbrella away. As he was doing so, instantly, he used his index right finger to remove the sweat that was almost covering his eyes.

The move, very emotional and sympathetic, was not unrecognized by the staff who applauded his gesture with ovation and declared “truly, Chinyeaka is a shepherd who understands the pains of his people.”

Ohaa’s disposition is uncharacteristic of the mindset of a typical Nigeria leader, who under obvious circumstances would have even requested for a shade over him not to talk of rejecting the umbrella under such intense March sun.

We Have A Forthright Council Chairman – VC

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie also poured encomium on the new chairman.

Speaking in an interview after the Council’s inaugural sitting, the VC told ESUT Monitor that indeed ESUT has got a father who understands the peculiarities of the institution.

”It was a great outing, we have a highly experienced and forthright Chairman who has shown a lot of passion in changing the narratives in ESUT.

“From this inaugural meeting, it was obvious that we are moving in the right direction and issues raised, the way he handled them and the expectations from the Council, is so encouraging.”

Although details of the resolutions and decisions of the Council were not made public, ESUT Monitor gathered that they centred on enhancing the physical facilities, staff welfare and ensuring that the face of ESUT is changed for the better.

Number of Council members

Currently, there are 8 external members while the internal ones will join them. The membership of the council is expected to reach 13 by the time it’s fully constituted.

The former Governing Council led by Most Rev Prof Bishop Godfrey Onah were inaugurated on March 11, 2020 with a membership strength of 13 councillors.

Duties and composition of the Governing Council

The Governing Council of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) is the institution’s top decision-making body. It is in charge of the university’s overall management and direction, ensuring that it works in compliance with its mandate and regulatory establishments.

The Council is comprised of a Chairman appointed by the Governor of Enugu State, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and other prominent members from diverse fields of expertise.

The Council’s primary mission is to establish policies and make decisions affecting the institution’s academic, administrative, and financial issues. This includes approving the university’s annual budget, supervising staff recruiting and promotion, approving new academic programmes, and ensuring that the university functions in accordance with its goal and objectives.

The nomination of the Vice-Chancellor is one of the Council’s most important tasks. The Vice-Chancellor is the university’s chief executive officer and is in charge of the institution’s day-to-day operations. The Council is in charge of ensuring that the Vice-Chancellor is appointed on merit and that he or she is capable of providing the essential leadership to propel the university forward.

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The newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has identified priority areas that need urgent attention in tackling the challenges facing the university.

Speaking with ESUT Monitor shortly after their first Council Sitting on Tuesday following inauguration by the State governor, the former Permanent Secretary of FCT listed funding, insecurity, epileptic power supply as well as indiscipline as major issues that need to be holistically tackled if the needed new administrative drive will succeed.

Mr Ohaa who noted that no university can survive under such conditions, however said that the Council’s first sitting will provide a road map in tackling the challenges headlong

“The first sitting was very wonderful, there’s rendition of all the challenges and all the gains from the Vice-Chancellor and we are happy because the man has the full dossier of what you people are passing through in ESUT.

“Everything is anchored on funding, not only subvention, there are a lot of uncompleted projects here, there is no water and there is no steady electricity supply. No university will succeed in this type of environment. Students need to have a level of good environment for them to be able to learn and bring the best out of them

“Secondly is insecurity and disciplinary issues.

“We are going to tackle most of these things and then the students and lecturers relationships so that nobody will take advantage of any other. You know all these fraudulent practices, even students blackmailing lecturers; we will not tolerate that. If a lecturer is not meeting up with the standards expected of him, we are not going to tolerate that.

“We have looked into it, asked questions and we are looking at compiling a strategic document so we can articulate the best way the ruling plan.

“That strategic document we are going to come up with, is what will be our compass that will direct all our actions because after that we are going to discuss with the Visitor of the University, who is the governor of the state and from there we can take bearing.”

It could be recalled that the Enugu State Governor through a memo on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 announced the appointment of Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa as a replacement for Most Revd. Bishop Godfrey Onah as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university.

Similarly, Prof. Uchenna Ekwochi replaces late Prof Innocent Okafor as Provost, ESUT College of Medicine, ESUCOM.

Other members of the board also approved by the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah are: Prof. Ikenna Chukwu, Engr. James Ajibo Ifeanyi, Gladys Ngozi Okoro, Hon. Chinedu Onu and Dr. Eric Oluedo.

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The newly appointed members of the Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, officially assumed duties on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 following their inauguration at the State Government’s House by the Enugu State Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah.

Led by its Chairman, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the new Council members were received at the University premises by members of the workers union under the auspices of Joint Action Committee, JAC.

Addressing the workers and students who gathered at the Administrative Block to welcome him, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council lauded the staff for their patience standing under the sun to offer them a befitting welcome and promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing the needed change in the university.

The former Accountant-General and Commissioner for agriculture in Enugu State appealed for the support of everyone in the university to enable the Management and Council actualize the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution

“It is a special privilege for us to be here. On behalf of our members we are happy for you people to welcome us in this manner. I hope that you will support this team to bring a change. A Change already that has started with the governor of Enugu State by earmarking and allocating a humongous amount in this year’s budget to education in the tune of 33%.

“You have given us the gun salute and in Igbo land, we know the meaning of gun salute – that you are welcoming us with open heart and mind. We decided to come today that we are inaugurated to have on-the-spot assessment of the situation here including your welfare,” he said

While acknowledging the transformative narrative in the university under the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, the new Pro-Chancellor proceeded to issue the VC a new name and gave assurance that the Council will work as a family to bring the expected development.

“I am delighted that you people are working well with the VC because the name Talk And Do, is a very wonderful name. I will be calling him VC Talk And Do. That also tells me that you are working well with the management and staff of this institution.

”I am assuring you with my members that we are going to work as a family. And in a family when one is sick, others will be worried; because of that, we are going to work well with you.

“But please, help us, so that all the vices that are noted in different universities in Nigeria and the world, will not be found here. All the deviants should not be among you. We will work with you, provided you will also be a police to one another so that when you see something that is threatening the fabric of this institution, you will let us know on time so that we will nip it in the bud.”

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