The member representing Ezeagu Constituency Hon. Chima Obieze has sponsored no fewer than 20 free buses to his Constituency for Christmas traveling.

Hon. Obieze made a generous donation to his constituency as part of his annual exercise in ensuring that his Ezeagu people who can’t afford the high cost of transportation during the festivals will reach home and merry with their relatives.

As a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, representing Ezeagu Constituency, he has consistently demonstrated his dedication to serving the constituency.

The free bus ride home will commence from December 21 to 24from two locations in Enugu

He also wished his constituents a happy Christmas and New Year in advance. This kind gesture is sure to bring joy and warmth to those around him.

 “It is his yearly ritual Right of a gift for safe and free travel for Christmas and new year celebration.

He positioned that Despite the harsh economic times, marked by inflation and economic challenges, we remain committed to serving our people.

“Once again, I am delighted to announce the Hon. Chima Obieze Free Christmas Bus for 2024, a tradition dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of my constituents during the Christmas season,” he emphasized.

He listed days, time and venue where the busses will be positioned to pick people from his constituency to their various communities to include:

Dates: 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th December 2024

– ⁠_Time:_ 11am

– Routes Covered:

– Akama Junction → Afor-Oghe → Iwollo → Awha → Okpogho → Amandim-Olo

– Akama Junction → Awha → Afor-Ugwu → Orie Ezumezu → Umana → Orie-Engine → Umumba → Mopol Imezi-Owa → Okpudo

– Obeleagu Junction → Afia Mmanya → Umumba Ndiuno → Obinofia Junction

– Number of Buses: 20 (18-seater buses) operating daily.

Loading Points:

– Penoks Fuel Station, Abakpa Express

– RAC Fuel Station, New Market

“This is my yearly commitment to ensure safe, affordable, and convenient travels for my people during this festive period. Christmas is a time for joy and reunion, and I am here again to make sure you get home safely to celebrate with loved ones. Stay safe, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance,” he said.

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Agbani – The management Nigeria’s First Science and Technology University, ESUT, has announced a three-week break for Christmas and New Year Festivities

Making the announcement in a circular issued on Thursday, through the Office of the University Registrar, the management disclosed that the break will last for a maximum of 16 days.

According the circular made available to ESUT Monitor, the University will embark on the yuletide break at the close of work on Friday, December 20, 2024 and resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Chief Ugwu added that the break period is not for staff “on essential duties” adding that lectures and all full academic activities will commence on the date of reopening next year

“This is to inform all Staff and Students of the University that the University will vacate for Christmas holidays after the close of work on Friday, 20th December, 2024 and resume on Monday, 6” January, 2025, excluding the College of Medicine.

“Lectures will commence that same Monday, 6th January, 2025. All staff on essential duties are not affected by this notice.

“Best wishes and merry Christmas,” the memo stated.

below is the circular

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By Paul Okah

The Christmas and New Year celebrations have come and gone, however, excessive spending during the yuletide always lands people in trouble, Paul Okah writes.

The Christmas celebration is over and many people are returning from different villages, for those who travelled, after the New Year celebration to face realities of life.

In different motor parks, vehicles travelling to cities like Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Port Harcourt are highly sought afte

Checks revealed that many transportation companies have reduced the cost of transportation to different villages, whereas fares to cities have been hiked due to the rush.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and most cities, businesses are yet to fully kick off as many people are gradually returning to resume their businesses, just as many offices are still offering skeletal offices.

As a result of the high cost of transportation fare and other fanfare that came with the festivities some people had resorted to borrowing money to meet up.

However, after the dust dies some people find themselves practically stranded. In extreme cases, some have had to sell off personal belonging like mobile phones to enable the return to their stations.

Those who cannot afford to sell their personal belonging often stay back in the village until middle or end of January, especially if they are self employed and have no urgent reason to rush back to their base.

For those who succeed in returning to their station despite the odds, they are forced to face the reality of paying school fees for their children, renewing house/shop rents or paying for new apartments, among other expenses.

Similarly, some lose their jobs or have to endure hardship in the face of late or non-payment of salaries by organisations

FCT residents recount experience

For most people sticking to budget remains their greatest challenge. This is more so during festivities as a civil servant, Mr Innocent Kunle, confirmed to our correspondent.

Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, Kunle said he spent more than he budgeted during the yuletide and was struggling to survive till the next salary would be paid.

He said: “I don’t know what made me to travel home for the Christmas. I would have resisted the temptation as I had to spend more than I budgeted. When I got home, it was as if everyone was waiting for me with one problem or the other needing urgent attention. If it wasn’t someone needing money to pay for hospital bill for his wife that just gave birth, it would be another person lacking food for Christmas and so on.

“Of course, in the spirit of Christmas, I had to give what I could for everyone to be happy. I even had to spend at weddings I didn’t even plan to attend before, just that I had to go with friends.

“I didn’t need anyone to tell me that the time was up immediately after the New Year as I was fast running out of money.

“I won’t lie to you; it has not been funny since my return to Abuja on Monday. Everywhere seems so locked up. I went to the office yesterday, but everywhere was so dry.

“Not many people have returned for the year, but I know things will start to improve from next week. My greatest concern is how to survive this month. I received my salary before travelling in December, so I have to wait for January salary before I can be able to afford certain things or even make better plans.

“Right now, I am hoping to borrow money from friends to be transporting myself to the office before my January salary arrives.”

On his part, a businessman, Peter Obiora, said he spent money meant for his house rent and presently hoping for a miracle to augment his rent or face problems with his landlord.

“I honestly didn’t have a memorable Christmas because of unexpected expenses. Some things I did not envisage to spend on just kept popping up.

“Children are always fun, so I had to spend on them as many relatives kept visiting with their children when they learnt that I was home for Christmas.

“My greatest headache now is getting N200,000 to complete my house rent. I pay N500,000 for a one bedroom apartment in Dutse and had the money saved before travelling home for Christmas. However, I had to dip into the money while at home because of unexpected expenses. One of my younger brothers was operated on, so I had to contribute to settle the hospital bill.

“It is not easy to ignore certain expenses especially if one has been away from the village for a long time.

“The cost of living also didn’t help matters as those selling in the village hiked prices though it was expected. I am a businessman and know all about making profit with demands. I know I will make the money for my rent by next month when businesses pick up, so I am hoping my landlord will understand.

“Even in business, things will not pick up until middle of the month or even end of the month. This is because many people who are not working will be waiting for transportation fare to come down. The business will continue being in the village until the end of the month when those who travelled to the village must have returned to the city.

“Many people will even be interested in buying items on credit and pay when they receive their January salaries, so it is usually not easy.”

Culled From Blueprint Newspaper

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The Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has charged the staff of the University to always strive for greatness and make the institution proud as they enjoy their festivities.

The Vice Chancellor gave the charge in his Boxing Day message to the workers in his institution on Tuesday.

In the message made available to ESUT Monitor, Prof Okolie wished the members of his staff a splendid yuletide celebrations and thanked them for their commitment and dedication to duties.

“Dear Members of the University Community of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

“I convey my heartfelt Christmas and New Year greetings to each and every one of you. May your holidays be filled with joy, love, and happiness. May the New Year be filled with prosperity, success, and fulfillment.

“Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Together, let us continue to strive for greatness, making our University community proud,” he said.

The University on Thursday, December 21 embarked on a three weeks vacation for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The school will reopen on Monday, January 8, 2024 for academic activities.

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The management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT has announced a three-week break for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In a memo released on Friday, December 15^th and signed by the Registrar, Mr Ambrose Ugwu and made available to ESUT Monitor, it explained that the short holiday would commence on December 21^st 2023 and last till January 8, 2024. The holiday will last for a period of 18 days.

While adding that lectures will begin on the resumption date, the Registrar noted that those on essential duties as well as staff at the College of Medicine, were not affected by the break.

“This is to inform all staff and students of the University that the University will vacate for Christmas holidays after the close of work on Thursday, 21st December, 2023 and resume on Monday, 8th January, 2024, excluding the College of Medicine.

“Lectures will commence that same Monday, 8th January, 2024.

“All staff on essential duties are not affected by this notice,” the memo read.

The University management wishes all staff and students a “Merry Christmas”

The 2023/2024 Academic session began on October 23 and is expected to end in July next year

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