The people of Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State have expressed overwhelming joy following the successful take-off of the newly established Azione Verde University, an institution that has already gained international recognition for its innovative academic standards.

The historic inauguration held on 2nd January 2026, which attracted traditional rulers, education stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups, and guests from within and outside the state, as well as the diaspora, marked a new chapter in the educational development of not just Imo state but the South East region, having its management team and workforce globally rooted in the educational sector.

Speaking at the event, the Papal Nuncio to Ethiopia, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe expressed appreciation to the Founder for his insights as well as indigenes of Amaigbo for providing their lands among other resources for the university’s use while charging them to be brave and not relent in their efforts to start a new thing for a better life, noting that the greatest mistake is the fear of making a mistake as well as not taking a step at all.

Archbishop Udaigwe further charged them to be courageous to start a new thing, as well as work with discipline.

The Papal Nuncio also thanked the foreign partners for their unalloyed love and dedication to the works and projects of Azione Verde University, while calling for more partnership in the locality.

“I wish and pray that this university continue to grow and provide holistic education”, He said.

In his address, the Founder and Chancellor of Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Rev. Father Boniface Duru, described the institution as a centre of excellence built to provide holistic and world-class education while empowering young people with skills relevant to global demands, noting that education must consist first of the mind and the human person.

“The University is not just a building but a centre for the development of the mind. Education is the bed of development because you cannot talk about development without education.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who will compete favourably anywhere in the world, while remaining rooted in values that promote sustainable development and community service.

The President General of Amaigbo Community, Chief Sir Fyne Madumere, lauded the initiative, stating that the institution will boost economic activities, create employment opportunities, and place Amaigbo on the global academic map, noting that the university is not just for Amaigbo people, but a big gift to Imo State and Nigeria at large.

Sir Fyne Madumere

Chief Madumere, however, seized the opportunity to call on the state government to come to their rescue urgently and reconstruct and repair their roads, especially as they connect to the University.

“Our appeal is for the government to come to our aid; tar the road, build drainage, and make it passable because in the next one year, we will have over One Thousand people who are schooling here and there will be a need for the President and Governor of Imo state to be visiting from time to time.

“So we continue to appeal to the government because I know our amiable Governor Hope Uzodimma is ever responsive to the yearnings of his people, so we are appealing to him to come to our aid”, Sir Fyne Madumere added.

The Chairman of the Occasion and indigene of the area, Chief Mike Onuoha (Eriri Ego) who emphasized the social and economic impact of the institution in the locality, expressed optimism that the University will provide quality education as well as first-hand research on applied education while empowering individuals and transforming populations.

Chief Mike Onuoha

Chief Eririego further noted that Azione Verde University will offer increased access to higher education, enhanced learning within the state and employment for the community.

“The benefit of having this university is that the university will create jobs that will attract investment and stimulate new businesses.

“It will also provide access to quality education. It will bring about a movement in the markets and Partnerships will build out of this”, Chief Eriri-Ego noted.

Community leaders and youths also commended the management for choosing Amaigbo as the host community, promising to provide a peaceful and supportive environment among other things for the growth of the institution; even as they made cash donations to the management.

The Institution’s Communications Manager, Andrew…. highlighted the university’s academic focus areas which include environmental sustainability, digital technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and renewable energy studies.

The Institution’s Communications Manager, Andrew…. highlighted the university’s academic focus areas which include environmental sustainability, digital technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and renewable energy studies.

The Communications Manager urged indigenes to always protect and support the institution as their very own, stressing that with modern facilities, international collaborations, and a strong commitment to research and innovation, Azione Verde University is poised to become one of Nigeria’s leading private universities in the coming years.

“I advise the community to protect this place because all the Italians and foreigners here are trying to build something new and give a future to the students”, Mr Andrew called.

Residents who could not contain their joy, expressed confidence that the establishment of the university will significantly improve infrastructure development, stimulate the local economy, and inspire a new generation of scholars in the region.

They said Amaigbo stands proudly as a new hub of higher learning in Imo State, as the first set of students begins academic activities.

Amid Nigeria’s security challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has married a new wife.

The SGF’s new bride is Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Abraham Double-d Dajoh shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday.

The post read: “We, the entire Dajoh family, happily join our daddy, uncle, and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family.

“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab. We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.”

In the post, the family welcomed the new bride to “Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation,” to “Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation,” and to “the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband”.

Previously, Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor was married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

She tied the knot with the Ooni in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State.

But the marriage crashed in August 2017.

The SGF’s marriage is coming at a time Nigeria is grappling with the security challenges, with terrorists and bandits unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

In a bid to address the situation, especially perceived Christian genocide in the country, United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against terrorist enclaves in North-West Nigeria.

Hours later, residents of Kwara State were thrown into panic after an explosion in the Offa area of the state.

President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family of Chief Arthur Christopher Mbanefo, who passed away at the venerable age of 95.

Chief Mbanefo was Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Pro- Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Ahmadu Bello University. He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

President Tinubu mourns the accounting icon, thought leader, and administrator, describing him as one of the finest of Nigeria’s elder statesmen, distinguished by integrity, hard work, and patriotism.

The President noted that Chief Mbanefo, as a public servant, served Nigeria with dedication and a strong sense of duty. In the private sector, he pioneered innovations in the nation’s accountancy, taxation, and audit systems.

President Tinubu also commiserates with friends, associates, and the government and people of Anambra State on the passing of the elder statesman.

He encouraged all who are mourning to take solace in the legacy of the late elder statesman, whose work will endure and remain permanently etched in Nigeria’s development.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Chief Mbanefo’s soul and for comfort for his family.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
25th December 2025