Author: Ikenga Online

An Enugu-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women Information Network (WINET) has taken its campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to the rural communities. The Programme Manager of the NGO, Mrs Ijeoma-Obinna Onwuka, said that the project was part of efforts to end violence against women and girls in the state. Onwuka was speaking during a dialogue on ‘Involving Men in Ending SGBV in Enugu State’ held at Amagu Akegbu-Ugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state. The programme manager said that the project was under the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) Project in partnership with…

There is light on the horizon for Nigeria. The fight against insurgency in the North East is now succeeding since the change of military chiefs and the acquisition of new weapons. We can also say this for the fight against the bandits in the North West. The South West is calming down since Sunday Igboho’s disappearing charm failed him in Cotonou. From all indications the South East too will normalise since the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, their enfant terrible. However, North Central is now in turmoil as schools are being closed, some indefinitely, by governments because of the escalating…

The Centre for Memories, Enugu on Saturday started a contemporary art exhibition of Igbo masquerades, Ikengaonline reports. The Executive Director of the centre, Mr Iheanyi Igboko, said that the exhibition was part of its efforts to document the history and culture of the Igbo nation. Igboko said that the move became necessary following the penchant by the contemporary society to demonise the masquerade culture, especially, in Nigerian movies. The executive director said that masquerades were important aspect of the Igbo culture with spiritual importance. “It is our responsibility to tell our stories the way they should be because masquerades play…

As Igbo communities mark the 2021 New Yam Festival, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi will be the special guest as Okposi community celebrates on Aug. 14. The Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee of the festival, Mr Magnus Eze disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Enugu. Okposi community, known for its large salt deposits, is one of the foremost clans in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state. Meanwhile, Eze said that first class traditional rulers in the state were expected to grace the cultural fiesta that would hold at Amaechi Primary School Field, opposite Enechi Ekuma High School,…

The Coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government (LG) Chairmen in Enugu State has backed the impeachment of the former acting Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Mr Ben Nwoye. The Leader of the group and Coordinating Chairman of APC LG Chairmen in the state, Mr Jude Anyadire disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu. Anyadire, along with 12 other party local government chairmen disclosed this during a solidarity visit to the current acting Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Chikwado Chukwunta. Ikengaonline reports that Chukwunta was until his elevation the acting vice chairman of the party in the state. Anyadire described…

The State Executive Council (SEC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has announced the recall of all its members that were suspended without due process. The acting Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the party in the state, Mr Chikwado Chukwunta disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu during a meeting with APC local government chairmen. Chukwunta said that the decision became necessary following the need to unify members of the party, adding that the days of rancour and impunity were over. The acting chairman admitted that there members of the committee whose suspension by SEC did not follow…

The Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council has outlawed girl-child marriage and other forms of gender-based harmful practices in the state. This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a multi stakeholders’ strategic conference between the council and WomenAid Collective. The conference was organised in partnership with the Ford Foundation with support from Enugu State Ministries of Gender Affairs, Chieftaincy Matters and Justice and the 50/50 Action Women of the state. The communique, signed by the Chairman of the council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, stated that the council was committed to the abolition of the obnoxious practice of sacrificing the…

The Adventist Men Organisation (AMO), Abia North-Central Conference (ABNC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Wednesday provided free medicare to no fewer than 50 students of School for the Blind, Umuahia. Ikengaonline reports that the school located in Afaraukwu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State takes care of the education needs of students with various degrees of visual impairment, including blindness. The AMO Director in the Conference, Elder Rex Uwakwe, said that the gesture was a deliberate effort by the organisation to touch on the physical and spiritual needs of the students. Uwakwe said that the visit to the school was part…

In America’s political lexicon, the phrase Southern Strategy bears a very ugly connotation and smacks of scorched-earth politics devoid of conscience. It was an electoral tactic employed by the Republican Party during the Jim Crow years, to increase support among white voters by appealing to racism against African-Americans. This is not to be confused with it’s usage in the Nigerian context of this essay to describe the coming together of Southern Governors to champion the cause of the people they swore to represent. If there is any silver lining to the ugly situation of Nigeria teetering on the brinks, it’s…

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has announced the impeachment of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Mr Ben Nwoye. The Assistant Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Mr Chikwado Chukwunta along with 41 out of the 57 members of the SWC announced this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu. Chukwunta said that the decision was taken to save the party from further implosion considering the crisis which had torn the party into factions since 2015. He said that both the State Executive Committee (SEC) and SWC had viewed with…