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Imo State University (IMSU) has clinched the prestigious overall first position at the 2025 Coderina University Challenge, held on November 20th at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, Abuja. 

The competition, themed "Circular Economy through Technology: Showcasing Technology and Innovation for Impact and Sustainability," was hosted by Coderina University in collaboration with the NUC.

Out of 66 Nigerian universities that applied, only 10 advanced to the final stage of this highly competitive event. IMSU proudly secured its place among the top contenders, presenting a pioneering Biomass Digester prototype developed through design, construction, and rigorous testing. 

This innovative project demonstrated the university’s commitment to sustainable solutions and impactful technology.The challenge aimed to transform academic research from theory to commercialization by harnessing student creativity and innovation to solve real-world problems. 

IMSU’s entry, backed by the Faculty of Engineering and the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, exemplified this mission. At the awards ceremony, IMSU received a grand prize of 5 million naira. 

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, who attended the event, pledged full support to elevate the visibility and impact of IMSU’s creative achievements, further encouraging technological advancement among Nigerian youths.

The winning team from IMSU featured talented students like: Muoleeh Samuel Uzodinma, James Emmanuel Ikenna, Offiong Wisdom Joseph, and Opara Mmesoma Precious. They were expertly guided by Professor Ferdinand Nkem Mbagwu, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at IMSU.

The Winning Team acknowledges with gratitude, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. U.U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, and the entire University Management for their financial support, impactful leadership and encouragement, which were vital in enabling IMSU’s participation and ultimate success at this national event. 

This victory has not only enhanced IMSU’s creative profile but also positioned the university as a leading center for innovation and sustainable technology in Nigeria.

Dr. Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor, is

The Ag. Public Relations Officer,

Imo State University, Owerri.

Law students from Imo State University (IMSU), Mr. Linus-Eleazu Eunan (500 level) and Miss Onuoha Prevailer Onyinyechi (400 level), have emerged third nationally, winning a cash prize of one million naira (₦1,000,000) and medals at the recently concluded International Cape Town Convention Moot Court Competition, organized under the auspices of the Cape Town Convention Academic Project.

The competition took place in Abuja, with the award presentation ceremony held at the Federal High Court premises in Central Area, Abuja, on November 12, 2025. It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in collaboration with the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

During the presentation of the students and their awards to the Vice-Chancellor of IMSU, Professor U. U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, at his office in Owerri, Dr. Ngozi Chuma Umeh, one of the lecturers who coordinated the students, explained that only 18 universities across Nigeria qualified for the competition, with IMSU being among them.

She further stated, “Out of the 18 universities that qualified, only 8 advanced to the semifinals, and IMSU was one of these. The final 8 were invited to Abuja for the semifinal and final stages. Ultimately, Imo State University emerged third nationally, and the organizers awarded the students one million naira (₦1,000,000) in recognition of their achievement.”

Expressing his joy, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the students for making the university proud. He also commended His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, (ONWA), the Executive Governor of Imo State, for providing the enabling environment and for all his support to the Management and staff of Imo State University, without which, all these feat wouldn't have been achieved, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor C. K. Okorie, SAN, FCArb, for his dedication both official and unofficial in advancing the faculty’s status. The Vice-Chancellor recalled that the Dean recently contacted a law lecturer who traveled for a one-year program in Canada to support the faculty. Shortly afterward, the lecturer generously donated seats valued at over one million naira for the Faculty of Law auditorium.

He also thanked Dr. Ngozi Chuma Umeh for accompanying the students to Abuja for the competition, alongside all the Heads of Departments and lecturers within the Faculty of Law for their commitment to providing quality education.

Sharing their experiences, Mr. Linus-Eleazu described the competition as an exciting journey that began when the Ministry of Aviation approached the IMSU Faculty of Law. He explained that the initial stage involved drafting legal processes. With guidance from law lecturers and through their own research, they prepared their submissions, filed them, and qualified for the final eight to compete in Abuja.

Miss Onuoha Prevailer remarked that she found it fascinating to engage with International Law within the context of aviation. She expressed happiness in representing IMSU at such a prestigious level of competition.

The Cape Town Convention International Moot Court program (CTC Moot Court) was established under the Cape Town Convention Academic Project (CTCAP), led by UNIDROIT and the University of Cambridge, with the Aviation Working Group as founding sponsors. 

The program aims to familiarize students, academics, and judges with the Cape Town Convention and the Aircraft Protocol through complex hypothetical scenarios, providing educational exercises in a simulated judicial environment.

Present at the award presentation in the Vice-Chancellor’s office were: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Agnes Osita-Njoku; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Onuh Martin Onuh; Acting Registrar, Mr. C. N. C. Azubuogu; Bursar, Mr. Fidelis Njoku; Acting Librarian, Professor Blessing Solomon-Uwakwe; Director of Works, Engr. Dr. V. C. Igiri; Director of Physical Planning, Dr. Ken Orguh; Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Aloy Ojilere, Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. C. J. Amaechi; and the University Public Relations Officer, Dr. Onyekachi A. Nwaozor.

 ‎ 

By Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), through its Joint Campus Council (JCC), Imo State Chapter, has commended the Imo State University (IMSU) Management for ensuring that the just concluded IMSU SUG Election was free, fair, credible, and peaceful.

In a letter dated July 31, 2025, Jointly signed by NANS JCC Chairman, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Nwosu Stanley O. and the Secretary Comrade Enyeribe Evans Izukamma, addressed to the Dean of Student Affairs, IMSU, copied to the Vice-Chancellor, Commissioner of Police, Director State Security Service, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Youths, SA to Governor on Youths, SSA Students, Imo State Government, NANS National President, Stakeholders Chairman South East, Stakeholders Chairman Imo State, with the caption "RE: NANS COMMENDATION FOR A CREDIBLE SUG ELECTION IN IMSU", reads in part, "we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to you and the entire electoral committee for conducting a transparent and credible election of Imo State University's SUG, which took place on 30th July, 2025. Your leadership and commitment to upholding democratic principles are truly commendable. Thank you for fostering an environment of trust and fairness".

In her speech, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor N. M. Oly-Alawuba, shared some insights about the election process. She explained that the election was initially scheduled for last year, 2024, but faced challenges from a group claiming to be “Stakeholders.” Interestingly, these individuals weren’t students of IMSU, yet they tried to interfere by opposing the introduction of electronic voting, insisting on traditional physical voting instead.

“When they raised concerns last year, I made it clear that it was either electronic voting or no election at all,” she explained. Unfortunately, this led to some tensions, including an attack on her then-deputy and even damage to their office. But this year, the Management was determined to move forward and set a goal to hold the SUG Election by the end of July 2025.

She stated that, despite the challenges and resistance from those “stakeholders,” the University remained committed to implementing e-voting to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process. The Dean highlighted that past SUG elections using physical voting often resulted in chaos, leading to a general apprehension about the elections. This time, however, the University was resolute in conducting the election electronically to avoid any issues.

On election day, July 30, 2025, only accredited observers, including NANS representatives and security agents, were allowed on campus for monitoring. Students were encouraged to vote electronically from the comfort of their homes or wherever they were, using their ID cards, which ensured that each student could only vote once eliminating the risk of double voting.

The Dean proudly stated, “The University Management emphasized that there would be no room for any illegality, and I’m thrilled that everyone followed the rules and regulations guiding the election. As a result, the election turned out to be free, fair, credible, and peaceful, and we give God the glory!”

"We celebrate this achievement together and look forward to even more positive developments in our university community."

At the end of the exercise, the following were in the following positions: 

1. SUG President - Ijezie Brendan Daberechukwu (Ikenga)

2. Vice President - Udensi Chinasa L

3. Vice President (External) - Iwuchukwu Henry C.

4. Secretary General - Mmegwa Victor 

5. Assistant Secretary General - Iloh Favour Chiamaka

6. Treasurer - Orji Justice 

7. Director of Finance - Raphael Rachel C.

8. Director of Welfare - Uzowuru Paschal C.

9. Director of Information - Egema Sunshine C.

10. Director of Health - Ifediorah Stanley Ifeanyi.

11) Director of Environment - Echemazu Favour C.

12. Director of Transport - Balogun Victor A.

13. Director of Social - Aloy Arinze Collins 

14. Director of Sports - Ebosie Anthony Kyrian (Olek).

Over one hundred and twenty (120) Universities in Nigeria presented their Law graduates to the Nigerian Law School. Three (3) Law graduates of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, namely: Orji Vivienne Chinyere, Ekwueme Uzondu, and Akuchie Anita Ugochinyere, made First Class out of the seventy-two (72) First Class graduates of the November 2024 Bar II stream 2 of the Nigerian Law School, according to the recently released Law School result. 

Even if it is decided that the one hundred and twenty (120) universities get one First Class graduate each, the seventy-two First Class graduates still won't go round. Still, Imo State University alone produced three (3) out of those seventy-two. It would be recalled that in the previous result released by the Nigerian Law School (stream one), six (6) law graduates of Imo State University broke records with First Class. 

As part of Governor Uzodimma's resolve to develop the education sector in Imo State and to encourage scholarship, his Shared Prosperity government paid the Law School Fees of all eligible Imo State University Law graduates, for the November 2024 Bar II. The Imo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma, considers education a fundamental investment in the state's development.

The repeated record-breaking successes by graduates and undergraduate students of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, underscore the unrelenting efforts of the Dean, Heads of Department, and the entire staff of Faculty of Law, in ensuring quality teaching and a conducive academic environment for the students to thrive..

Irrespective of repeated attacks by disgruntled elements and faceless individuals, the indefatigable Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb's policies have continued to yield positive results and excellence. By providing corruption-free and quality leadership, as well as a conducive academic environment for the generation and fertilization of creative ideas and knowledge, Professor Chukwumaeze and his Management Team dutifully keyed into the Shared Prosperity philosophy of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma's government..

The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, stated that it is a thing of great delight for the Imo State University community that her students have continued to blaze the trail as shown in the latest three First Class from one institution, at the Nigerian Law School.

He, however, congratulated the students for making Imo State, Imo State Government, Imo State University, and their families proud, and urged them to continue to be the shining Stars of their generation, adding that as the ambassadors of Imo State University, they have to keep the light that has been enkindled in them, ever burning. He also congratulated the Dean, Professor C. K. Okorie, SAN, FCArb, the Professors and Lecturers of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, for pouring out their knowledge on the students who have now made the University proud.

Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor is

The Ag. Public Relations Officer of

Imo State University, Owerri.

President Donald Trump has openly called for the arrest of former President Barack Obama on bombshell claims of a coup plan tied to the 2016 U.S. presidential election.  This unusual demand comes amidst charges by Trump and his administration that Obama and his national security staff hatched a years-long treasonous plan to undermine Trump’s election win and presidency.

 The background of these charges is around assertions that the Obama administration manufactured or politicized information to wrongly depict Trump’s 2016 campaign as having links to Russia, which Trump and his supporters allege was a concerted attempt to delegitimize his triumph.  Trump has charged Obama with treason for supposedly seeking to damage his administration and manipulate the will of the American people via intelligence manipulations.

 The situation escalated in late July 2025 when Trump publicly ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Obama after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a Trump appointee and former Democratic congresswoman turned MAGA supporter, released declassified documents purportedly evidencing Obama’s involvement in this so-called "coup."  Gabbard filed a criminal referral to the DOJ stating that Obama and his advisers devised a conspiracy to interfere with Trump’s election and administration.

 On July 22, 2025, Trump upped his rhetoric during an Oval Office news session, blaming Obama without offering actual proof of treason and election subversion, declaring, "It’s there, he’s guilty...  They attempted to steal the election...  They did things that nobody’s ever imagined, even in other countries."  He proceeded to assert that harsh repercussions should follow, presenting the problem as a question of justice for an alleged assault on American democracy.

 Adding to the contentious nature of the argument, Trump shared AI-generated doctored videos and photos on his social media, portraying Obama being jailed in the Oval Office.  These movies, which are manufactured, were disseminated extensively on sites like TikTok and reposted on Trump’s own social media accounts, stoking political divisiveness and disinformation.

 The Obama administration and its officials have vigorously denied these charges.  Spokespersons for Obama condemned the charges as "bizarre," "outrageous," and a "weak attempt at distraction."  They reaffirmed that investigations, including a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report from 2020, concluded that while Russia tried to influence the 2016 election, there was no successful manipulation of vote counts or direct collaboration by the Trump campaign, undercutting the thrust of Trump's allegations.

 Legal and political analysts have regarded this incident as a dramatic increase in U.S. political divisiveness, with Trump using unfounded charges to strengthen his narrative of being the victim of a deep-state plot.  Critics claim that such tactics violate democratic norms and potentially heighten tensions in American political life just as Trump’s administration confronts other obstacles, including requests for openness related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

 The Department of Justice's reaction to Trump’s demand is keenly monitored, since any criminal investigation of a former president would be a watershed in American political and legal history.  So far, the DOJ has made no public confirmation of additional investigations based simply on these latest referrals and assertions, underlining the highly sensitive climate surrounding the matter.

 The news story outlines a volatile and developing political crisis wherein President Donald Trump has called for former President Barack Obama’s arrest on grounds of treason and conspiracy related to the 2016 election, citing newly declassified intelligence and referrals from Trump’s director of national intelligence.  The claims remain highly contested and are widely condemned by Obama’s team as unfounded and politically motivated, highlighting deep fissures in American politics in 2025.

On Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's international passport was briefly seized by officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This led to a tense standoff that unfolded at the airport.  The event, which took place just before she was scheduled to board a British Airways flight to London, caused a commotion among passengers and prompted her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was traveling with her, to express his immediate concern.

 It has been claimed that immigration authorities have identified Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, as a "national security risk."  This designation, sources close to the senator claimed, was reportedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly, who had placed her name on a watch list.  They were on their way to the United Kingdom to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson when immigration agents stopped her at the departure terminal. The senator and her husband were en route to the United Kingdom.

 A scene of cool resistance from the senator was reported by witnesses who were present at the airport, despite the unexpected trauma that had occurred.  On the other hand, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was overheard resolutely proclaiming her rights, saying, "The court never authorized this."  You have no authority to keep my passport in quarantine.  She is said to have maintained her composure throughout the entire encounter, insisting that the officers did not have the legal authority to seize her passport without first obtaining a court order.

 During that period, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not supplied with a formal reason for the seizure, which led to allegations of political meddling.  A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed bewilderment, highlighting that there was no court order restricting her movement and that she had consistently appeared for all her court proceedings.  The absence of a specific cause further encouraged suspicion regarding the intentions behind the short arrest.

 As the delay prolonged, Chief Uduaghan was spotted making a series of frantic phone calls, apparently to handle the emerging crisis.  The incident caused a momentary travel scare and drew the attention of other travelers, some of whom described it as an "unnecessary embarrassment" and a potential "abuse of institutional power".

 Remarkably, after a stressful few minutes, the senator's passport was restored to her without any official explanation.  This rapid turnaround enabled her to go through immigration and catch her aircraft just in time.  Despite the rapid conclusion, the episode has raised doubts about the due process and the authority used by immigration officials, particularly affecting prominent personalities.

 As of the time of publishing, neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the office of the Senate President has released an official comment about the event.  The absence of an official response from the participating parties leaves many concerns unanswered, notably about the reason for putting a sitting senator on a watch list and the unexpected restoration of her passport without explanation.  The case illustrates persistent worries about the possibility of arbitrary acts by state agents and the need for more openness and respect for legal norms in such instances.