Author: Editor

By Azu Ishiekwene Peter Obi has the best chance against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 of all opposition candidates. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have received a slightly higher percentage of the votes (6.9 million or 29.1 percent) in the last presidential election; still, that was poor for Atiku, a sixth-timer in the presidential race.  Obi had less than one year to prepare after his former party, the PDP, shafted him, followed by the bitter struggle for control between Atiku and the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, which left the party in…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, has launched a comprehensive training programme for community-based Child Protection Structure Representatives across the state’s 17 local government areas to combat child abuse and gender-based violence (GBV). The initiative, jointly coordinated by the Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development and UNICEF, is aimed at achieving zero tolerance for child abuse in the state. The training commenced with the induction of 106 pilot child protection volunteers from three local government areas—Nkanu East, Udenu, and Udi—at the Ashishi Owo Civic Center in…

Our Reporter, Abuja The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has announced that the window for its ongoing online recruitment information update will close on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. In a press release signed by Taiwo Hassan on behalf of the Honourable Chairman, the Commission urged all applicants to take advantage of the remaining days to update their academic qualifications and upload any outstanding documents that were not previously submitted. The Commission reiterated that the recruitment exercise, which targets a limited number of positions, is being conducted strictly on the principles of merit, transparency, and adherence to the federal character policy.…

By LKJ Ogunewe  Today, 47 years after his passing, we remember with deep pride and enduring reverence the life and legacy of Eze (Colonel) David Sunday Ogunewe—a father, a patriot, and a man whose principles still guide our family and inspire our nation. A Soldier of Honour Colonel Ogunewe was not only among Nigeria’s earliest commissioned officers—he was a standard-bearer for what it truly meant to serve with integrity. As the 34th officer commissioned into the Nigerian Army, he served through some of the most turbulent chapters of our national history with courage, restraint, and unwavering conviction. In the midst…

Our Reporter, Port Harcourt Human rights group, PILEX Centre, has called on residents of Rivers State to shun the upcoming local government elections slated for August, labeling the process “illegal, unconstitutional, and a monumental waste of public resources.” In a press statement dated July 21, 2025, the Executive Director of PILEX Centre, Courage Nsirimovu, strongly condemned the planned polls under the supervision of the state’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Ibaas. The group described the process as “a product of crass illegality and brash impunity,” insisting that only an elected governor, not a presidentially appointed sole administrator, has the constitutional power to…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has rejigged his cabinet by swearing in six new Commissioners and a new Head of Service, while also reassigning three existing officials to new portfolios. The newly inaugurated officials include Dr. Godwin Anigbo as Head of Service; Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli as Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna as Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; and Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo as Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry. Also sworn in were Prof. George Ugwu as Commissioner for Health,…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allocated a substantial $3 billion for the rehabilitation of the long-abandoned Eastern Rail Line. The Senate, during Tuesday’s plenary, commended the President for the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to boost transportation and economic activities across the Eastern region. Lawmakers hailed the decision as a significant step toward correcting historical infrastructural imbalances and addressing the longstanding concerns of the South-East and North-East zones. The allocation comes as part of the President’s $21 billion foreign loan request, which was approved by the Senate. Of this sum, $3 billion is specifically earmarked…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Senate has approved a total budget of N105,140,926,744.08 for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the 2025 fiscal year. A breakdown of the budget shows the following allocations: Personnel Cost: N20,636,277,973.19 Overhead Cost: N8,949,992,489.81 Capital: N75,554,656,281.08 The budget is in accordance with the RMAFC Act, 2025, and represents 0.5% of the non-oil Federation Revenue as approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) in December 2024. The approval followed the presentation of the report by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs.

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State’s threat and movement restriction on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, as “a direct challenge to Nigeria’s unity and a brazen attack on the constitution.” The  Chairman, South-East Senate Caucus, in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, slammed the Edo State Governor for the unprovoked threat which he noted, could stir crisis in the polity. Abaribe who insisted that the Governor lacked the constitutional powers to abridge any citizen’s right of free movement, said Okpebholo should be…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has re-opened its investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing’s downstream assets and refinery upgrade. This follows a directive from the House mandating a fresh probe after the initial report on the matter was rejected for omitting critical details. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that the renewed investigation is entirely separate from the earlier inquiry conducted by the previous committee. He explained that the earlier report was discarded by the House due to…