Author: Ikenga Online
The volatile region of Waziristan, an area often referred to by the western press as Pakistan’s lawless territory represents one of the seven districts that border Afghanistan called the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). FATA, part of Pakistan’s colonial inheritance came to be as a concession by the British Raj to the Pashtun tribes. Pashtuns had long resisted being controlled from the outside and so were granted autonomy to run their internal affairs. They operated outside of state control and provided a refuge for fugitives and criminal gangs whose stock-in-trade were drug trafficking kidnapping, gunrunning and terrorism. Of course, there…
By Our Reporter The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) says it will, henceforth, insure exhibitors and their wares at its annual international trade fair. The First Deputy Vice President of ECCIMA, Mr Jasper Nduagwuike disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu during the launch of the 33rd Enugu International Trade Fair Catalogue and Magazine. Nduagwuike said that such insurance policy would cover bodily injuries and loss or damage on goods displayed within the trade fair complex. He said that the move was aimed at assisting exhibitors who had such bodily injuries and or incurred such damages or…
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Board of Trustees (BOT), retired Maj.-Gen. J.O.J Okoloagu has fingered Enugu State Government in the lingering crisis in the party. Okoloagu disclosed this on Monday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on his alleged suspension by the former acting Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in the state, Mr Ben Nwoye. Recall that Nwoye had while briefing newsmen recently, announced the suspension of a number of APC chieftains in the state. However, Okoloagu described such purported suspension as a hoax. He expressed shock that Nwoye, who was impeached due to his alleged penchant…
From the beginning, the quasi-Islamic jihadist movement with the high-sounding name, Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lidda’awati wal jihad, loosely translated to mean “People committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and jihad”, was anti-West. Many believe, albeit erroneously, that Boko Haram started in Maiduguri, Borno State, in 2002 and that the founder was Mohammed Yusuf. The group, not with its latter-day and most known name, started in the mid-‘90s in Yusufari, Yobe State. Popularly called “Taliban” or “Sahaba”, a name derived from what the prophet’s companions are called, it comprised mostly the children of the well-to-do in the society.…
An Enugu-based lawyer, Mr Chukwunonye Ogbe has dragged Enugu State governor to the National Industrial Court (NIC) over the state government’s failure to pay retirees’ pension and gratuities for 10 years. Also joined in the suit are Enugu State Pensions Board, Government of Enugu State of Nigeria and Attorney General, Enugu State of Nigeria. The rest are Accountant General, Enugu State of Nigeria and Local Government Staff Pensions Board, Enugu State. Ogbe in suit no. NICN/EN/23/2021 brought the matter under the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens who retired as civil servants in Enugu State. The claimant sought…
No fewer than 1, 247 corps members were on Tuesday sworn in for the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Enugu State. The administration of the oath of allegiance was performed by the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ngozi Emehelu. Emehelu, who was represented by Chief Magistrate of Awgu Magisterial District, Emannuel Ikechukwu, charged the corps members to be of good conduct. In an address of welcome, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Sam Ujogu, said that the orientation had so far been carried out in strict compliance with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocols. Ujogu…
In the early 1900s, Mary Mallon worked as a domestic cook for many of the New York’s uber elite families. She was later identified as an asymptomatic spreader of Salmonella typhi and known to have infected 53 persons with typhoid fever. It took a while before medical investigators were able to identify her as the source. Nicknamed Typhoid Mary, she refused to be tested and fled from health authorities but was captured and quarantined. Mary sued the health department for what she believed was an infringement on her personal right but lost. Upon release, she violated the terms and picked…
I wrote the following on March 1, 2021. With what is happening, I find it still relevant, hence repeating it today. I had intended to continue with the topic, ‘Nigeria and Presidential Democracy: Any Better Alternative? (3)’ but I had to suspend it; it is more of a proposal for the future. I had to look at what was immediate. Boko Haram (translated to mean Western education is a sin) advocates are threatening to overwhelm the North and impose their creed on a docile, perhaps Janus-faced, like people. Since kidnapping for ransom became a fad on the Abuja-Kaduna road…
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has hailed the peaceful conduct of the local government congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State. Onyeama disclosed this on Saturday in Udi Local Government Area of the state while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the exercise in his council. The minister described the process as democracy in action, adding that the people were allowed to willingly choose their leaders. He said that it was necessary for the party to unite in a bid to start winning elections in the state. The minister said the ultimate aim of the party…
By Our Reporter Enugu State Government has debunked allegations that bother on land grabbing, destruction of economic tress and cattle ranches leveled against its agency in charge of housing development. The General Manager, Enugu State Housing Corporation, Mr Chukwuemelie Agu disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Enugu. Agu said that the clarification became necessary following allegations that the state government forcibly took over a parcel of land situate at Angel Layout, Trans Ekulu, Enugu. Recall that one Anthony Eruchie had accused the corporation of grabbing the property, destroying 35 to 40 years old plantation/cattle ranch belonging to his 85 years…