By Editor

• State asks indigenous graduates to apply for FG, UNDP empowerment programme An Enugu High Court has ordered the Enugu State Government to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of 22 unarmed Igbo youths in Emene.

In its judgment in suit No. E/569M/2020 brought by the Registered Trustees of Christian Network and Community Development and Anor. v. Governor of Enugu State and Anor., Justice Chinyere Ani held that the applicants’ case had merit.

The court declared: “The first respondent is hereby ordered to institute a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel the cause(s) of unlawful and illegal killing of 22 unarmed youths at Emene, Enugu, Enugu State, on August 23, 2020.”

This came as Igbo socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna, urged the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to immediately comply with the court order.

In a statement signed by Mr. Ngozi Odumuko and Mr. Paschal Mbanefo on behalf of the executive council, the Igbo think tank said: “We welcome this judgment which is lucid and well-reasoned. We urge Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to without further delay set up this long overdue panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the gruesome murder of these defenseless and unarmed youths.”

MEANWHILE, the Enugu Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has announced that the Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is offering a unique opportunity for 20,000 fresh graduates to earn money and experience for 12 months under the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).

This is as a result of the recent interactive meeting the United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon and his delegation had with Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and members of the State Executive Council (EXCO).

A statement by the Focal Person, Enugu SDGs Office, Mrs. Mabel Agbo, which urged fresh graduates of Enugu State extraction to apply for the programme before the October 20, 2021 closing date, stated: “The NJFP involves a work placement process that will place young Nigerians in private and public sector organisations in the country across multiple industries and sectors.”