Author: Ikenga Online

By Our Reporter No fewer than 150 indigent persons in Enugu State have benefited from the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Coordinator of the NYSC in the state, Mr Sam Ujogu disclosed this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu. Ujogu said that the medical outreach was flagged off in the state on June 21 at Nkwe Community in Awgu Local Government Area of the state. He said that the people of Ibagwa Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state took…

By Our Reporter The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says 46 suspected drug traffickers were arrested in Enugu State in the last six months. The State Commander of the agency, Mr Bassey Anietie disclosed this on Friday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the sidelines of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Anietie said that the command successfully prosecuted 20 suspects comprising 16 males and four females and secured seven convictions within the time under review. He also said that 45 addicts were counseled, rehabilitated and discharged within the same period. The commander said that items…

By Our Reporter No fewer than 33 coalition of support groups in the People Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed Sen. Uche Ekwunife ahead of the primaries of the party. The primaries is to choose the flag-bearer of the PDP in the November gubernatorial election in the state. The Coordinator of the groups, Mr Victor Kalu, said this on Wednesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu. Kalu said that the coalition arrived at the decision after understudying all the gubernatorial aspirants of the party. He said that they examined their commitments to human empowerment and community development, after which Ekwunife came tops. He said that the forthcoming gubernatorial election would be…

By Our Reporter A Professor of International Law and Global Politics, Jehu Nnaji says a conscientious alteration of the Electoral Act will boost the confidence of Nigerians in future elections. Nnaji disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on issues of national importance. He applauded the various attempts made in the past by the National Assembly (NASS), especially, the 8thNASS to alter some sections of the Electoral Act. He however, said that it was unfortunate that no meaningful outcome emerged from the last attempt to amend the document as it could not get presidential assent. He appealed to…

There is a raging showdown between two literary Amazons, both of whom have played a crucial role in shaping contemporary African literature and helped expand its global appeal. Am losing quite a bit of sleep. My initial approach was to let time sought things out as prior experience had shown. On a second thought however, I decided it’s better to summon the two erring sisters to a court where chiefs with red caps festooned with feathers wield the big knife. At least, this should serve as a cautionary tale as well offer a teachable moment for those who would rather…

By Our Reporter The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday in Enugu launched the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) for the South-East region. Recall that the NEIP which was developed in response to the many damaging effects of corruption in the country was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sept. 28, 2020. The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye said that the document became necessary following the need to resuscitate lost values of honesty and integrity in the country. Owasanoye was represented by the Member, Representing South-East region in the ICPC Board, Mr Obiora Igwedibia. The…

The bank’s president said that the highway would link 85 per cent of the trade volume in ECOWAS through the corridor. The African Development Bank (AfDB) says the $430 million highway project linking Enugu to Bamenda in Cameroon will be completed this year. The bank, in a statement issued on Monday, said that it was part of its investments in West Africa which currently stood at 16 billion dollars. The statement quoted the President of AfDB, Akinwunmi Adesina, as disclosing this in a speech at the 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Ghana. According…

By Our Reporter South-East Leaders of Thought have said that the unity of Nigeria must be anchored on equality of rights, justice and respect to all. The leaders disclosed this on Saturday in Enugu after a meeting attended by political leaders, sociocultural organisations, the clergy and the traditional institution. The Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, Gov, Dave Umahi, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, said that the group reiterated its support for the corporate existence of the country. Umahi, however, said that such union must be based on justice, equality of rights, love and fairness to all irrespective of one’s religion, ethnic group, political inclination…

By Our Reporter An Enugu-based nongovernmental organisation,  Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) has expressed worry over  the practice of shutting down markets in the state during political rallies. The President of  CRRAN, Mr Olu Omotayo disclosed this on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Enugu. Recall that traders of Ogbette Main Market, Enugu were directed to shut their shops and report to Okpara Square for the Thursday rally organised by Enugu East Senatorial District. Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was the special guest of honour during the event. Reacting to the development, Omotayo, described it as a rights infringement and an action…

By Our Reporter Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says his successor in 2023 will emerge through a process of dialogue anchored on justice and equity. Ugwuanyi said this on Thursday in Enugu during a political rally organised by Enugu East Senatorial District. The governor, who was responding to requests by the people of the zone that he should pick his successor from the area, said that their messages were well understood. “I have listened to all the speeches. Rest assured that the contents and contexts of the messages were well understood. Dialogue, equity and justice shall take preeminence at…