Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government, has cautioned the immediate-past Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and his former aides, to be careful of their utterances, and to refrain from making remarks capable of plunging the state into political unrest. The warning which was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, is coming few days after Ikpeazu, now an Ambassador designate, hosted some of his former aides in his Umuobiakwa, Obingwa country home. Abia State Government, in the statement, accused the “former Governor and his co-travellers” of engaging in  comments capable of igniting tension and political…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri  The Imo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all primary and secondary schools in parts of Orlu Local Government Area (LGA) following a new outbreak of diphtheria in the area. This was contained in a public notice issued by the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha.  Professor Ikegwuoha said the decision was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all pupils and students.  Reports indicate that the outbreak has claimed three lives so far—two boys and a girl—believed to be school-aged children.  While details about their schools remain unclear, the affected…

…Wants Tinubu to visit Niger flood victims too Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi, has told President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, that “Nigeria does not need a leadership by remote but a proactive leadership that responds not just with words, but with compassion and action.” Obi was responding to Tinubu’s indication of interest to visit Benue State after calling him out for showing lack of empathy following the recent massacre of over 200 people by suspected Fulani herdsmen and the unfortunate flood disaster in Mokw, Niger State. He, however, commended the President…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government says it is set to  launch the 25-year Greater Aba Master Plan, “a comprehensive and long-term document that will guide the future development of Aba, the commercial hub of the state.” Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this in Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting. He revealed that the State Government, through a collaborative effort between the Greater Aba Development Authority and UN-Habitat, has been working assiduously to deliver on the master plan, which he said would address the land-use infrastructure of Aba. “The master…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Professor Joy Ezeilo, SAN, has joined Nigerians and the International Community to condemn the recent killing of innocent citizens of Benue State, Nigeria. Ezeilo made the condemnation through her X-handle on Tuesday, saying that the time has come to stop the “senseless killings” in parts of the country. “My heart is heavy. The horrific and inhumane attack that occurred in Benue State two nights ago, where over 200 innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly, were burnt to death in their homes, is further proof that nowhere is safe again for Nigerian citizens. “This appalling act…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Popular human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and declare a state of emergency in Benue State.  Ejiofor argued that the order has become necessary to stem the tide of ongoing massacres allegedly perpetrated by Fulani militants against the indigenous people of the state. In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Ejiofor condemned the escalating violence and the apparent inaction of the state government.…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged member states of the African Union Member (AU) to prioritize preprimary and fundamental learning for every child in their respective countries. Dr Ijeoma Ogwe, Communication Officer, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, stated thus during a press briefing on the commemoration of the Day of African Child with theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress since 2010.” Dr Ogwe said that there was the need for all the AU member states to recommit to making education a budget priority and allocate at least, 20 per cent of their annual budgets…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Obeagu Ugwuaji Community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has called for the urgent intervention of the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, by calling to order, the  Commissioner for  Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters,  Deacon Okey Ogbodo, to avoid possible break down of law and order in the area. This was contained in a statement signed by the President General of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union, Mr Obi Chukwunomso Freedom. In addition, the community has also taken steps to commit the commissioner to prison over contempt related matters, consequent upon their…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  The Abakaliki Division of the Ebonyi State High Court has court has sentenced a 48 years old man, Emmanuel Nwaji, to five years imprisonment for defiling 11-year-old girl, Ukamaka (surname withheld).  Nwaji, a primary school teacher teaching the victim’s brother, defiled the girl in Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area of the state when her mother sent her on an errand. The incident occurred in March, 2022 in the man’s house where he lured her into. After the defilement, Nwaji warned her not to disclose it to anyone, else, she would be killed by him. Two months later,…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki An Izzi High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, has sentenced a 30-year-old man to death by hanging for killing an 18-year-old SS2 student after the deceased revealed their sexual relationship, which resulted in the deceased experiencing anal problems. The convict, Boniface Abraham Edigbo, killed the deceased, Ogbonna Joshua, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, by poisoning him in a hotel after their last sexual encounter on the night of Monday, May 22, 2023. The deceased, until his death, was a student at Community Secondary School, Amachi, in Izzi Local Government Area of the state. Edigbo was…