Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The famous Ikengaonline townhall resumes this Thursday,  June 26, with the Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, taking the centre stage. The former Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will speak on the theme: “South-East Governors, JAMB and Tertiary Education in Igboland.” This is contained in a statement by the Editor-in-Chief of the South-East focused accountability on-line media platform, Uche Ugboajah. The explosive monthly meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm (WAT), will be co-anchored by US-based prolific writer and medical doctor, Dr Osmund Agbo; and veteran Journalist and Author, Dr Chido Onumah. Participants…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Civil Society Organisations Community of Practice, Anambra State Chapter, has appealed for a clearer and more enabling environment for their practice. The group, which is a network of registered civil society organisations (CSOs), launched their appeal during a courtesy visit to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Awka, Anambra State. Speaking on behalf of the group, the team lead and CSOs Sterling Committee focal person for the State, Madam Rachael Yohanna, highlighted challenges faced by CSOs in navigating tax obligations, particularly with the new digital tools like TaxPro Max. According to her, “CSOs, particularly the smaller…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Rights activist and development lawyer, Eze Onyekpere, has responded vigorously to the recent interview granted by the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) to Arise Television over his role in the Nigerian Civil. Gowon, who led the 30-month fratricidal war had spoken extensively on the  causes of the war and the role of Lt  Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu in the war. In a post via his Facebook account, Onyekpere who is also Lead Director at the Centre for Social Justice, disputed some of the claims by the elder statesman. He said: “When an otherwise elderly man…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Immediate-past Governor of Kaduna State and former ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has regretted supporting his presidential bid in 2023, describing the President as a tragedy. El-Rufai who is now among the leaders of the building opposition against Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027, featured on Arise Television show Monday night where he apologized to Nigerians for bringing Tinubu in 2023. He criticised the President for lack of cohesion and quality, saying that Tinubu ran inclusive Government as Lagos Governor but has turned to something else as President. El-Rufai further alleged that Tinubu’s…

By Press Release  As the world marks World Whistleblower Day today, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has renewed its call for the urgent passage of a comprehensive whistleblower protection law in Nigeria to safeguard courageous citizens who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the public interest. In a press statement, AFRICMIL lamented the persistent institutional and legal failures that continue to endanger whistleblowers and discourage public interest disclosures in Nigeria. “Whistleblowing is not just an anti-corruption strategy. It is a moral stance — an expression of faith in the public good,” said Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator of…

By Press Statement Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and concrete steps to strengthen legal and institutional protections for whistleblowers in recognition of their critical role in exposing corruption, human rights abuses and other wrongdoing, describing them as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and good governance. In a statement issued today (Monday) in Lagos to mark this year’s World Whistleblowers’ Day, MRA stressed that whistleblowers serve the public interest by courageously disclosing information that would otherwise remain hidden, often at great personal risk, noting that in Nigeria, they continue to operate in a…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ike, has called for the establishment of state and community police to stem rising criminality in the localities. Ike made the call on Monday in Enugu at a Pre-Synod Press Conference of the forthcoming 2nd Session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese, holding between June 26 and June 29, 2025. The cleric, who decried the carnage on lives and property in many parts of the country especially in Benue, noted that “it is time to take decisive action against insecurity.” According to him, President Bola Tinubu…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), BIGWIL International Community of CEOs and Diplomatic Forum, has tasked the new Chairman of ECOWAS, President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, on promotion of economic integration. The Special Envoy and Chief Operating Officer of BIGWIL Forum,  Amb. Chimbo Obieze, gave the task in Enugu while speaking to newsmen on expected future of ECOWAS under the chairmanship of President Bio. It would be recalled that the immediate past Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), President Bola Tinubu, had successfully handed over to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio. Tinubu handed over…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Magistrates and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), in Abia State, have committed to the effective implementation of sections 33 and 34 of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, 2017, to actualise the desired objectives of the law. This was the major highlight of a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC),  funded by the European Union, and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Abia ACJL 2017 sections 33 and 35 require Police Officers (DPOs), to, on monthly basis, report to the Chief Magistrate…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The popular Oriokpa masquerades in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have caused serious concern to residents of the area over the flogging, beating and harrasement of residents. The Oriokpa masquerades, which were banned in May last year following the flogging of a nurse close to death, have returned again to continue their dastardly acts. An eye witness at Nsukka reports that the masquerades on Sunday beat one Miss Blessing Ogbonna to pulp. Ogbonna was said to be a member of staff of a private hospital in Nsukka. She was reportedly harassed and flogged until she…