Author: Ikenga Online

By Our Reporter The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained no fewer than 80 exporters in Enugu State on patenting and registration of products for international trade. The South-East Regional Coordinator of NEPC, Mr Arnold Jackson disclosed this on Wednesday during a two-day workshop for potential exporters in the state. Jackson said that the training also dealt on the importance and effects of bilateral trade agreements in the global market. “The council thought it necessary to improve the capacity of potential exporters on the importance and effects of bilateral trade agreements as part of measures to boost international trade,” he said. He said that the essence…

In 1845, the Illustrated London News ran an interesting story about a certain dog breed discovered in Newfoundland that was noted to act in some strange ways. For days it would act disinterested and withdrawn before being seen “to throw himself in the water and endeavor to sink by preserving perfect stillness of the legs and feet”. Each time he did it, he was rescued but would often repeat the attempt until finally; he held his head under water, choked and died. It’s been more than a century since the publication of that London dog article, and animal suicide has…

By Our ReporterVice President Yemi Osibanjo has assured Nigerians that the country will overcome its current sociopolitical  challenges with prayers and faith in God. Osibanjo disclosed this on Saturday during a prayer convocation organised by the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. The ENUC of the SDA Church comprises of the membership of the church in South-East and South-South regions. The vice president, who was represented at the event by the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, said that the country would emerge stronger from its problems. Osinbajo, who spoke on the topic, ‘Dry Bones Shall Live…

Dear Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Jideofor Onyeama, We chose to write you instead of President Muhammadu Buhari because it is apparent from the president’s two most recent media outings that his cognitive impairment has greatly deteriorated, even though that is no justification for his murderous and genocidal rhetoric. From his utterances, the gap between things his innermost mind conjures and what his mouth utters has been completely erased. We also chose to write you because you are the most senior Biafran in Buhari’s government. We know that in your world, Biafra is the worst tag that anyone…

By Gideon Arinze The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) on Saturday at its 49th Convocation conferred honorary doctorate degrees on four eminent Nigerians , The beneficiaries of the award included the Managing Director, Future Concerns, Mr Anthony Oguike and the Chief Executive Officer, Oriental Energy,  Alhaji Mohammed Indimi. The rest are the Group Executive Director, Obijackson Group of Companies, Ms Nnenna Obiejesie and a Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, Jacob Olupona. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charles Igwe, said that the awardees had distinguished themselves in their chosen career as well contributed to the development of the Nigerian society.Igwe said that three out of the four awardees were alumni of the institution. The vice chancellor, however, said that their selection for…

Mister President, I listened very closely to your last interview, and would respectfully like to respond to the parts that stung me the most. You are famous for saying a lot with a little. And, in that interview, you did not disappoint. It is an ability every good poet strives to have. But, forgive me, this letter is rather long. Let us begin. Your solution to the farmer/herder crisis is not the correct one. You have asked us to understand that open grazing is part of the culture of the nomadic Fulani. And you have also suggested that the way…

……Threatens to drag Buhari to ICC The Association of South-East Town Unions (ASETU) has demanded an apology from President Muhammadu Buhari over his genocidal threat on the region.  The National President of the association,  Chief Emeka Diwe made the demand on Thursday in Enugu while briefing newsmen at the end of their emergency security meeting. Diwe said that the unfortunate threat was another act of insensitivity from the president, adding that Buhari already had litany of non-inclusive and discriminatory actions against the region. “It is appalling that Buhari who has never spoken strongly against the atrocities of the Fulani herdsmen and…

Dear Hassan, Thank you so much for making out time to reach across. Coming from a place buffeted by the twin evil of Boko Haram and Armed Bandits, we know life has not been that easy for you and your people in the northeast. Yet you made out time to engage Ndigbo in a way that only a true brother could. Daalu rinne! Truth be told, I have never even heard your name, let alone know who you are. You see, Igbo culture is pretty heavy on respect and so naturally one would be inclined to ask for your bona…

…….Meets With China’s Cyber Regulator On Saturday morning between 11 am and 12 pm, as Nigerians woke up to the reality of a Twitter ban, and downloading Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access Twitter, the Nigerian government, through the office of the Presidency, reached out to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) to discuss plans to build an internet firewall, FIJ has learnt. The government officials present at the meeting include Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to the President, and Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture. The internet firewall is a way of having a separate network for…

By Our Reporter A social organisation called De Norsemen Kclub International has described the suspension of Twitter by the Federal Government as a deadly ambush on democracy. The International President of the group, Dr Adeshola Giwa disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Giwa said that it was worrisome that a government which was enthroned through a democratic process could implement such unpopular decision. He said that the suspension of Twitter had sent a wrong signal that the Federal Government was intolerant to opposing views. “This unfortunate suspension has downgraded the challenged image of Nigeria and will lead to the downturn of investment and employment generation. “Let the government know that the suspension…