Author: Editor
By Azu Ishiekwene I’ve written this before. Ten years ago, but this man’s story is new every time. To me. And to many who have crossed his path. On his 80th birthday on July 14, I’m repeating this story with the zeal and delight I shared it ten years ago: If the lot had fallen on Chief Ajibola Ogunshola to be the undertaker, not many would have blamed him for the fate of PUNCH. He was 40 when he was appointed director. Though he was a star in the insurance world (former Managing Director of Niger Insurance) and one of…
By C. Don Adinuba As Bart Nnaji, founder and chairman of the Geometric Power group, Nigeria’s only integrated electricity organization, turns 68 today (Saturday, July 13, 2024), one important lesson our countrymen and women can learn from him is the imperative of matchless optimism. Even when all hope is forlorn and all available evidence points to gloom and doom, Nnaji not only expects the best but also works passionately towards delivering superior performance. At a time when top Western multinationals are leaving Nigeria in droves, Nnaji is demonstrating unparalleled patriotism: he is leading General Electric of the United States, the…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, has commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the forthcoming Local Government Council Election. The State Party Chairman, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, made the announcement during a stakeholders meeting in Owerri. According to the state party chairman, the sale of forms which would commence on Monday, next week, and run for one week, will be sold at one million naira for councilorship positions, while that of chairmanship will be sold for N3 million. Hon. Ebere, while stressing on the party’s dedication to a transparent electoral process,…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government is set to begin another round of demolition at Agu-Owa Community in Trans Ekulu area, a suburb of the Enugu metropolis. This is sequel to an evacuation letter written to the residents of the community and dated July 5th, 2024. The letter emanated from the office of the Commissioner for Housing, entitled “Notification for Housing Upgrade and the Urgent Need for Relocation of Residents at Agu-Owa Community in Trans Ekulu Enugu.” The letter directed residents of the area to submit all authentic papers relating to their ownership of the properties therein to the…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Anambra State Government has issued a statement suspending all forms of mining activities in different parts of the state. Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, made the announcement yesterday, noting that the suspension followed the reckless, unauthorised and illegal mining activities going on at various sites within the State. Nwosu said the State Government has directed that all Mining activities in the State should be suspended until further notice, adding that severe sanctions and punishments await anyone that flouts the order. It read: “The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to the reckless, unauthorised and…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka A two storey building under construction has collapsed in Ifite Awka, Awka South Local Government Area. This is coming barely 24-hours after Dubai Lodge also in Ifite Awka collapsed. A source in the area said the building was still under construction as at the time it caved in. The source also said the building is located at No 19 Clement Ezeodili Street, an area dominated by Nnamdi Azikiwe University students hostels. A resident said that they were aware that the building will collapse, because of the style the developer adopted in constructing the house. Ikengaonline reports that…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Minister for Works, David Umahi has debunked media reports that the Federal Government through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) stepped down inherited ongoing projects. Umahi, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, on Friday stated this during an interactive meeting with contractors. Describing the reports as misleading, the Minister maintained that neither President Bola Tinubu nor FEC directed that inherited projects should be stepped down. He explained that the Federal Government is willing to engage on contract review and cost augmentation on the inherited ongoing projects in view of the geometric rise…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has advised members of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and turn around the fortunes of the institution in their care. He made the remarks in his office when he received the 13-member team of the governing council led by the Chairman, Chief Henry Ikoh, who paid him a courtesy visit. Governor Uzodimma congratulated the members over their appointment and urged them to be part of the efforts of the government in fighting poverty, hunger, unemployment, cultism,…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Transition Committee Chairman of Awka North Local Government Area, Comrade ThankGod Anago has pledged to support the drive for grassroots governance and development in his Council area. The pledge was made by Anago when he welcomed the Partners in his office at the Council Headquarters, Achalla. The Development Partner, Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC Nnewi in partnership with Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria is supporting community agencies to improve local government level governance system in Nigeria. Ikengaonline learnt that the advocacy visit was in line with the need to promote the #MyLGA Project in Anambra State, which seeks to strengthen…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Army, on Thursday, raided more illegal refineries in Abia State and arrested no fewer than 21 suspected oil bunkerers. This is coming barely one month after over 14 boats were destroyed and several suspects arrested for oil bunkering during similar operation at Isimini. During the Thursday operation at Obuaku and Imo River waterside, all at Ukwa West Local Government Area, 10 boats, five vehicles, and a motorcycle were destroyed. Destroyed also were storage tanks, crude oil, pipes and various types of equipment used for oil bunkering, The operation personally led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82…