Author: Editor

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Human rights activists and partners from the civil society organisations have intensified calls for the establishment of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law commission to oversee the protection of rights of women and other vulnerable groups in the state. They made the call on Tuesday during a mega rally organised by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, and other partners to commemorate the International Day for Human Rights.  Flagging off the rally, Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Anambra, Barrister Obinna Maduforo, expressed concerns over…

…Seizes defendants’ travel documents  Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  The immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was Tuesday, remanded in Kuje prison by a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Abuja. His travel documents as well as those of other defendants were equally confiscated by the court. Bello who is standing trial over alleged N110 billion financial fraud, is to remain in custody till February when the case was adjourned to. Justice Maryann Anenih who presided over the trial, had  dismissed an application by the former governor seeking bail, pending the determination of the case against him. The…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Abia State is to spend N750 billion in 2025 fiscal year. This is contained in the Appropriation Bill of the state presented to the State House of Assembly, Umuahia, onTuesday by Governor Alex Otti. The 2025 budget outlay represents 30% increase in the 2024 appropriation of N523 billion. Analysis of the budget shows that  N611.7 billion, representing 82%  is for capital expenditure while N138.6 billion representing 18% is for recurrent expenditure. Presenting the budget on the floor of the State House of Assembly, Otti said his administration took into account, “major economic headwinds such as inflation and…

…As Chido Onumah named chair of WIN board Our Reporter, Abuja, with Lawrence Nwimo, Awka  The maiden sub-regional conference organised by African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), ended just over a week ago with a call for Nigeria and other countries in West Africa to legislate whistleblowing and whistleblower protection to tackle corruption in the region. The two-day event themed, “Reducing Corruption in West Africa: The Importance of Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection Legislations,” took place at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy, Abuja. It was held in collaboration with the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG)…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Abia State Government has announced that it would construction 20 smart schools across the state. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who made the announcement during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, said at least, one smart school would be sited in each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state. By this development, Abia has joined Enugu State on the list of states building smart schools. The landmark project, according to him, is in pursuit of Governor Alex Otti’s vision to made education a strong pilar of…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi state have announced the suspension of the one week warning strike declared on December 2, 2024. The Union leadership in a statement on Monday said the decision followed a review meeting by the State Executive Committee of the union. The suspension of the strike,  according to the bulletin, was addressed to all the affiliate unions of NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The Union noted that the state government has shown strong commitment on the negotiating table, having invited and consistently involved the Union in a long stretch of…

…Construction begins Dec 17 Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Abia State Government in partnership with the Federal Government is  to build a standard airport in the state. The project according to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, is to be sited at Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, about 10 kilometers from Umuahia the state capital. Kanu who disclosed this during a press briefing Monday in Umuahia, said the Minister for Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, would flag off the construction on Tuesday, December 27. He noted that the airport was not the State Government’s priority project initially but the…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Former Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, has commended President Ahmed Tinubu over his choice of members of the Board of Directors, South East Development Commission, SEDC. The former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023, in a press statement, Monday, described the nominees as “square pegs in square hole.” This is as he expressed optimism that the Commission, when eventually inaugurated, would help bridge infrastructural deficit in the South-East states. Ikengaonline had reported that President  Tinubu, last week, transmitted to the Senate for confirmation, a reviewed list of nominees…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Chairman of Enugu East Council Area, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, has renamed Ezeokwe Palace, Ibagwa Nike and its adjoining artefacts, as Centre for Cultural Heritage and Tourism. The Council boss disclosed this during the Ofala Festival of Ibagwa Nike Ancient Kingdom, Enugu State, on Sunday in Enugu. According to him, the renaming was in line with his administration’s determination to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Nike people and entire council area. The chairman said: “As part of our efforts to preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage, I am pleased to announce that the Ezeokwe…

Maxim Uzoatu  The 2024 UNESCO World Philosophy Day is the rave of the moment on Thursday, December 12 at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.  The personable Host and Head of Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Ifechi Ndianefoo, calls forth the enlightened public to the Faculty of Arts Auditorium of UNIZIK for the epoch-making event. The theme of the UNESCO World Philosophy Day is ‘Philosophy for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.’ The fest that is the talk of all comes under the distinguished chairmanship of Sir Paul C. Chukwuma (KSJI, Onwa…