Author: Editor
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Protest is all the rage in Nigeria today. Democracy allows for peaceful protest, but it is well-nigh impossible for overzealous state agents and sundry nefarious elements not to conjure up violence to complicate matters. In this wise, the demons of death are on the loose, arranging mayhem and spreading damnation. We walk an ungodly but very familiar Nigerian road littered with shattered bones and broken dreams. The pity is that people who ought to know better are flashing the dangerous aspects of ethnic baiting that will do the nation no good. Only the very self-deceptive Nigerian…
Our Reporter, Abuja; with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia In less than one week after the death of two illustrious Igbo personalities, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Igbo nation, has again, recorded another bewildering bereavement following the demise of a legendary singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu. The 72 year old music legend died Tuesday night after performing at an event at Banana Island, Lagos. She was said to have slumped after performing at the birthday ceremony of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. The music icon was later rushed to a hospital in Victoria Island, where she was confirmed…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino Critics of the Dangote Refinery might be called “deniers.” Their scepticisms stem from Nigeria’s history of failing its citizens, making it difficult for them to believe that an individual could succeed where the country has faltered. Building a refinery of such magnitude seems impossible, yet it becomes achievable when driven by forces greater than mere wealth, passion, or fame. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), led by Farouk Ahmed, had initially made disparaging remarks about the upcoming refinery. The resulting accusations and counter-accusations have tarnished the optics of what should be a collaborative…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Irked by illegal deductions from their salaries, staff of Abia State Health Management Board, HMB, on Tuesday, locked out officials of the Board over alleged slashing of their salaries without explanations. The aggrieved workers demanded the removal of the Director of Finance over the anomalies. They alleged that the slashing of their salaries started three months ago when the Director of Finance who had been posted out of the Board was returned. The protesters said they had complained to the Accountant General of the state but did not get any satisfactory response, hence their resolve to stage…
By Nnamdi Elekwachi In Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa, a nationwide protest against mounting hardships themed ‘End Bad Government’ is being planned, making concerns to grow in the Tinubu-led government. While Tinubu, who had introduced taxing reforms, has been urging Nigerians, since his maiden Democracy Day speech in June of last year, to exercise patience, there is no proof that the president himself was patient with the economy before launching his reforms. For an economy that suffered the throes of currency redesign, and the COVID-19 pandemic before it, patience should have been exercised before introducing such rigorous reforms (removal of…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government says it has set a target of over ₦100 billion for livestock production and processing. Governor Peter Mbah stated this when he received a delegation from the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) led by the National Project Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, who were in Enugu for the flag-off of the first Regional Enugu Model Veterinary Hospital in Enugu. Mbah said this would boost the economy, scale up the capacity of farmers in animal husbandry, and strengthen value chain across the spectrum of agricultural sector in the state. He said he was…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Enugu State Command has issued directive to its personnel to be on alert in enhancing security measures to protect critical national assets and infrastructure. The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Commander Cyprian Otoibhi, said in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu that the directive was imperative ahead of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1, 2024. The commander noted that the directive emphasised the importance of proactive measures to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order and to ensure a coordinated response to security challenges. According to…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia One hoodlum was shot dead Monday when some unknown gunmen operating in three vehicles attacked Aba, the economic nerve centre of Abia State. The criminals were engaged in exchange of gunfire with military personnel at Osisioma area of Aba, where they were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the military, according to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu. Kanu who addressed newsmen in Umuahia, said the criminals escaped with bullet wounds in one of their gateway vehicles, a Lexus SUV, while abandoning their other vehicle, a highlander jeep which was recovered by security agents. He,…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Two men, Philip Avatus and Pius Dickson, have been sentenced to seven years in prison each by an Amawbia chief magistrate’s court in Anambra State for stealing iron rods worth N1.1 million. Both men, from Taraba State, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, theft, and malicious damage. Chief Magistrate Mike Anyadiegwu delivered the sentence, which will run concurrently for both offenders. They had stolen 120 pieces of 12mm iron rods used in road construction on July 24 along Amawbia-Nise Road. The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Agu, earlier, had stated that the defendants damaged, cut, and stole the rods…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has warned against planned acts of violence and breach of public peace by individuals or groups in the name of protest. The commissioner gave the warning in a statement issued on his behalf by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Monday in Enugu. The state police boss noted that the protest should be canceled considering available intelligence revealing the sinister plans of criminal elements to infiltrate and hijack the planned protest. According to him, some, hoodlums, who are planning to hijack the protest will…