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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The ruling Labour Party in Abia State, is now in the majority in the Abia House of Assembly following the defection of the only two Young Peoples Party, YPP, members in the House to LP. Before now the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had 11 members, LP, 10; YPP, 2; and the All Progressives Congress, APC, one. The decampees, Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu, representing Osisioma North State Constituency; and Hon. Fine Ahuama, representing Osisioma South State Constituency, have met with Gov. Alex Otti. Meeting with the Governor late Tuesday night, they said leaving their former party would…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Chidiebere Uzor Agwu (Obosi), has picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for second tenure as the Executive Chairman of the council. Obosi picked the forms at the APC State Secretariat, International Conference in Abakaliki. Addressing a mammoth crowd of stakeholders and supporters from Onicha who joined him to pick the forms, Obosi thanked the people for their support and solidarity, and promised to spread more democracy dividends to all communities in the council during his second tenure. Obosi who is the first elected Chairman of Onicha…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, has expressed their readiness to partner Anambra State Government to develop and implement sustainable youth development programmes for the state. The Coordinator of UNDP, Mrs Joyce Oburu, during a visit to the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, revealed that they are ready to support the state government to maximise the full potential of the “1 Youth 2 Skills” empowerment programme. She noted that the programme is a complete package that has the capacity to reposition the socio-economic status of the state for the better and commended Governor Soludo…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The political crisis rocking Rivers State, yesterday took a sudden twist as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to expose his estranged godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Fubara revealed that most of the projects constructed and inaugurated by Wike, were not fully paid for. The Governor who said he had been patient enough, regretted that the state was indebted to many contractors awarded contracts by Wike. Fubara said that the firms Wike is owing are after his government for their payment. The embattled Fubara spoke while inaugurating Ebubu-Aleto-Eteo in Eleme Local Government Area of the State. Ikengaonline reports…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to embark on a fresh nationwide strike to resister its anger over the failure of the Federal Government to constitute Governing Councils in federal universities across the country. ASUU, which issued the threat at a press conference Tuesday in Abuja, regretted that no federal university in Nigeria currently has a Governing Council. National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who spoke for the academic body described the sad development as strange and an aberration. ASUU which noted that since last year when Government dissolved Governing Council of federal…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Federal Government has commended Gov. Alex Otti, for taking proactive measures to resolve the lingering challenges bedeviling the Abia healthcare system prior to his emergence on May 29, 2023. Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salman Anas-Ibrahim, who gave the commendation, said by declaring a state of emergency in the health sector and increasing allocation to health sector in the 2024 Budget by 15% as well as the swift resolution of salary disputes, Gov. Otti, had significantly alleviated challenges in the state’s healthcare system. Dr Anas-Ibrahim spoke when she led a team from the…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra StateTuesday, celebrated the traditional ruler of Onitsha kingdom, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, on his 83rd birthday anniversary. In a congratulatory message released by the Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo extolled the excellent royal qualities and contributions of Igwe Achebe to the growth and development of Anambra State. He noted that the monarch’s exceptional leadership and wise counsel have been invaluable assets to the traditional institution and societal peace in Anambra State and beyond. Also, the governor commended Igwe Achebe’s impact as the Chancellor of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that his administration is passionate about taking advantage of the opportunities provided by digital technology in managing the state’s economy. Governor Otti stated this while addressing participants of Study Group 7, Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Jos, who are on study tour and fact-finding mission to Abia State. The Governor, who commended the participants for the choice of Abia for the tour, described the study theme: ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,’ as…

Our Reporter, Abuja Maverick musician, veteran actor and rights activist, Charly Boy, has mocked the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, saying he would soon describe his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election as a mistake. Charly Boy,  who declared the former Rivers State Governor as the “mistake maker of the century,” said this in reaction to Wike’s recent statement regretting installing his former aide, Siminalayi Fubara, as his successor, describing the action as a mistake. Wike, who is currently engaged in messy political conflict with Governor Fubara had publicly admitted to…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has challenged his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and his lieutenants to clear their name with the anti-graft agency over their role in the missing N10 billion Abia airport fund. Otti threw the challenge as the State Government released the much expected forensic audit report detailing financial transactions during the eight-year administration of Ikpeazu. Spokesman of Otti’s administration and Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who released the 360-page document after the State Executive Council meeting press briefing in Umuahia, challenged those indicted by the document to come out with their own…