The University of Port Harcourt has denied that Cynthia Chukwundah, the lady who allegedly set her lover on fire in the Choba community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, is a student of the institution.

The police had earlier stated that Chukwundah, reportedly a 300-level undergraduate of UNIPORT, was hospitalised after sustaining burns from the incident.

According to police sources, she is currently under watch at a medical facility and will be interrogated once her condition stabilises.

Reports said the woman allegedly set her 32-year-old lover, Sunny Amadi, ablaze during a domestic dispute.

She is said to be pregnant for the deceased, who later died from the severe injuries sustained in the fire.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday evening in Port Harcourt, the university’s Head of Information, Publications, and Public Relations, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, clarified that the institution’s records do not show Chukwundah as a student.

The statement, titled “UNIPORT Clarifies Choba Fire Incident: Victim Not a Student,” read, “Following thorough internal checks and verification of our student records, the university wishes to categorically state that Cynthia Chukwundah is not a student of the University of Port Harcourt.”

Kpenu extended the university’s condolences to the families affected and assured the public that UNIPORT is supporting efforts to ensure a proper investigation.

“We deeply regret the loss of life associated with this unfortunate event and express our condolences to the families affected.

“We are also closely following developments and cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is properly investigated,” the statement added.

The university reiterated its commitment to student safety and urged the public and media to verify facts before publication.

“We urge members of the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information and to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct a full and impartial investigation,” it concluded.

The Lagos state government has commenced full-scale enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics below 40 microns.

The banned items include styrofoam packs, plastic straws, disposable plastic cups and cutlery, and lightweight nylon bags, all flagged for their environmental and health hazards.

This move has elicited a flurry of reactions.

According to the state government, the move is aimed at tackling environmental degradation and promoting sustainable living, targeting Styrofoam food packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, disposable cups, and plastic cutlery.

The government also allayed job fears, saying that the initiative would create more jobs for producers and distributors who embraced the safe options.

Checks by The Nation show that Lagos aligns with a growing list of over 70 countries and major cities that have adopted similar bans or restrictions on single-use plastics since Bangladesh became the first to do so in 2002.

Further checks revealed that Nigeria remains one of the world’s top plastic polluters, generating more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to a recent USAID report. Over 70 per cent of that waste ends up in landfills and waterways.

Also, the federal government, in June 2024, announced a ban on single-use plastics in all government offices, as part of a phased plan toward a nationwide restriction. However, enforcement at the national level has lagged.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, while responding to a complaint from a user on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, July 4, noted that the move was to protect the future of the state.

He said, “While I empathise with the situation, I can tell you that for 18 months before implementation, we engaged in extensive stakeholder consultations, meeting manufacturers, market unions, and environmental experts.

“We conducted scientific studies showing plastic bags daily clogging Lagos drains, while marine biologists documented plastic toxins in our lagoon fish populations. In those 30 years you mentioned, a sizeable amount of the nylon sold by Mummy ended up in the drainage systems, clogging the drains.        

“Some ended up in landfills, and it doesn’t decompose easily; nylons take about 500 years to decompose, and so unfortunately, every nylon sold within that 30 years is somewhere in our environment, causing damage to our health and living.

“The Ministry of Commerce facilitated partnerships with local producers of reusable bags to ensure affordable access. A phased Producer Responsibility Scheme gave manufacturers transition time to adapt operations.

“When evidence showed persistent non-compliance despite warnings, we instituted the ban with clear grace periods. This was never abrupt – it was Lagos protecting its future after exhausting all collaborative avenues.”

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, on Friday, met with All Progressives Congress leaders and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones in Oyo State, respectively.

Addressing party members in Ogbomoso at the residence of one of the leaders of the party, Ayoade Adeseun, the minister said the meeting was part of his consultations across geopolitical zones in the state towards realisation of his governorship ambition in 2027.

He, therefore, allayed the fear of the party stakeholders that APC would not impose any aspirant in 2027, saying, “I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”

While seeking their supports towards the realisation of his ambition,  Adelabu pleaded for forgiveness from aggrieved members, saying they should be concerned of how the party will come back to power in 2027.

He said, “I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027. I’m ready to put to test all experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections.

“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best.

“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election, I’m here to seek for your support and backing, I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”

He also called on people in the zone to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for more dividends of democracy.

“This is another turn of Yorubas to serve their two terms as President of Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot to benefit if Tinubu is re-elected,” Adelabu added.

In Oyo town, Adelabu pleaded for their supports, saying “I will run all inclusive government where everybody will be involved in governance of the state and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027.

“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.

“Oyo is like a second home to me, my supporters, followers, associates and allied are all here, they have been supporting me in the past and they are ready to support me again.

“I will give what is due to Oyo. Oyo zone deserves better treatment because it is symbolic, Oyo is historical, symbolic and blessing to the entire state.”

Adeseun and son of former governor, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, urged members of the party to come together and ensure emergence of the APC in 2027.