Author: Editor
Arinze Chijioke In this report, Arinze Chijioke attempts to unravel why residents of Umunwanwa, a community in Abia State, have continued to be threatened by erosion years after, despite an intervention project by Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA). As farmers fell into spates of happiness when the clouds began to gather one Thursday this June, residents of Ngodo in Umunwanwa, one of the communities in Umuahia South Local Government, Abia State, prepared for yet another disaster – a building collapse, gully expansion or submerged houses. None of that happened. But this is the sad reality that families in Ngodo – where…
Rector Cares Foundation, in collaboration with the Poul Due Jensen Foundation/Grundfos, is embarking on a transformative project to empower over 5,000 residents in the Ibeku Community, Abia State. This impactful initiative addresses critical challenges faced by the community, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future. Ibeku Community grapples with severe water scarcity, food insecurity, and limited educational opportunities. A staggering 80% of the population lacks access to clean water, and Ibeku High School, serving over 1,500 students, struggles with inadequate infrastructure. The project will ensure sustainable access to the local healthcare facility, promoting better hygiene and sanitation…
By Owei Lakemfa The Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11, 2024 made landmark judgments on local government areas, LGAs, in the country. First, it gave the salutary order that they must be run by elected persons. Its second order that LGAs be paid directly by the centre, seeks more or less, to de-link them from the states they are located. In other words, it gives powers for the centre to deal directly with the LGAs. This of course, strengthens the unitary system of government which military regimes imposed from 1966. Conversely, it is another defeat for federalism which the Constitution…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, Rev Fr Christian Anieke, has counseled graduating students of the university to show exemplary performance in their future endeavours. Anieke made the call during the Thanksgiving Mass organised by the University for 2023/2024 graduating students of the university on Sunday. The cleric urged the graduating students to detach themselves from material things as a way of imitating Christ. On the thanksgiving, the vice chancellor said the university organised it to thank God for completing the academic year. He said that the graduating students had finished their exams…
By Nnamdi Elekwachi The landmark judgment granting full financial autonomy only to democratically elected local governments across the federation should be considered as a ‘Doctrine of Necessity,’ because the Supreme Court had to expeditiously explore grey areas, and in so doing came up with its final and conclusive interpretation. It is quite sad that governors reigned with impunity like czars, diverting funds due to the LGAs and imposing puppets thereto, leading to this judgment. When it comes to how the local governments are to be established, and by which tier of government, the constitution is not ambiguous in Section 7(1),…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Organised Labour in Abia State, Sunday, announced the postponement of its planned strike initially billed to commence Monday, July 15. Two weeks ultimatum earlier issued by the Organised labour to Government to meet its demands or face indefinite strike would elapse on Monday. But the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; and the Trade Union Congress, TUC; in a joint press conference in Umuahia on Sunday, announced a postponement of the indefinite strike by two weeks. NLC, Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya; and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Chairman, Comrade Ihechi Enogwe; in the joint press conference, explained that…
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu “The judiciary has immense power. In the nature of things, judges cannot be democratically accountable for their decisions. It therefore matters very much that their role should be regarded as legitimate by the public at large.” Jonathan Sumption, Law in a Time of Crisis, 121 (2021) For a cumulative period of 17 years between 1885 and 1905, Hardinge Giffard – who was better known as Lord Halsbury – served three tenures as Lord Chancellor. In this capacity he earned a reputation for having “appointed many undistinguished men to the Bench because of their political services to the…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A multi million naira Palm kernel Oil Extracting Industry located at Onuebonyi axis of Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, has been gutted by fire. Also burnt were Palm kernel worth over N170 million, refined and unrefined oil as well as a Sienna bus. The Executive Director of the industry, Mr Emmanuel Alinchi, said that he noticed fire and smoke emission in the industry by 1:17am. According to him, before the arrival of the men of fire service, the entire structure had been engulfed. He appealed to the state government for intervention emphasising that all the extracting machines…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former American President and frontline presidential candidate in the November US presidential poll, Donald Trump, narrowly escaped assassination attempt on his life during a presidential rally in Pennsylvania. The shooter who was yet to be identified was shot dead but another person was said to have been critically wounded. Trump was, however, taken to safety by security agents as the crowd scampered for safety. Trump confirmed the incident later on his social media handle, the Truth, saying bullet hit “upper part of my right ear,” and “much bleeding took place.” In the post on Truth Social, Trump…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, Saturday inaugurated its new national leadership at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, Abia State. This is as the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, who was a special guest at the event, has called for unity among Ndigbo. The inauguration of the new national executive of the ADF coincided with the 10th anniversary of the socio-cultural organisation founded by Professor Uzodinma Nwala. Nze Coleman Emeka Chukudelunzu, who emerged the new National President of ADF, was sworn into office along other members of the national executive. In…