Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Abia State-born boxing legend, Obisia Nwankpa, is dead. He died at the age of 75 after battling with dementia. Ikengaonline checks revealed that the boxing icon died on June 2, but his death was announced on Thursday, June 5 by the  President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Rafiu Ladipo. According to Ladipo,  the late boxer “gave his all” for Nigeria during his boxing career.  He added that the NBB of C will be working with the bereaved family to ensure a befitting burial is given to the late boxer. Ladipo added that…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia A former Secretary to Abia State Government, Chief Ralph Egbu, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declared for the ruling Labour Party in the state. Elder Egbu, who was also a former Commissioner for Information, said he decided to join LP to support Governor Alex Otti’s developmental strides. The former SSG, said he had already submitted his  resignation letter to PDP Oza Ukwu ward Chairman, in Ukwa West Local Government Area, Bidwell Nwankwo. Egbu  said  different factors influenced his defection to LP including directives from his constituents “and personal resolve to sustain, establish and promote…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State, has advocated massive investment in agriculture and  conscious involvement of residents in farming as the panacea to the persisting hunger and food insecurity in the country. NUJ Chairman, Abia State, Council, Comrade Chidi Asonye, made the advocacy while speaking at the first ever Agric Show organised by the Council to sensitise members as well as the public on the need to actively engage in agriculture. Comrade Asonye said agriculture remained the ‘best quick-fix’ to the growing threat posed by hunger in Nigeria. He urged Journalists to make out time…

By Azu Ishiekwene Boarding announcements were not an issue when I used to commute in Lagos by danfo, the ubiquitous yellow buses, or molue, the mass-transit lorries, which were improvised for public transportation. The conductors often had a melodious and entertaining way of calling passengers that was enjoyable to hear. They called out in a drawl, accompanying each announcement with a warning for passengers to board with their change in hand or risk a “forced marriage,” which meant giving a fixed sum, usually a bank note, to two or more passengers to share at disembarkation. Flying is a luxury –…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a strategic partnership with the Enugu East Local Government Council on the  Universal Health Coverage Scheme (UHC). As part of the initiative, the WHO also presented an award to the council Chairman, Mr Beloved-Dan Anike in recognition of his efforts in expanding grassroots healthcare. The organization through the South-East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, commended the chairman for enrolling more than 5,000 vulnerable residents into the scheme. He noted that ESUHCS was a key pillar of Gov. Peter Mbah’s health reform agenda. Igboekwu highlighted that Anike was the first local…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, says it has deployed personnel to worship centres, recreation spots and all public areas in Enugu State ahead of the Eld-el-Kabir celebration. The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, in a statement on Thursday in Enugu, said that the Command had deployed hundreds of personnel both in uniform and in plain clothes to ensure a safe and hitch-free celebration. According to Willie, this proactive measure is part of our commitment to safeguarding lives, critical infrastructure, and maintaining public order throughout the Eld-el-Kabir holiday…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over claims that the former governorship candidate of the main opposition party is set to join the ruling party.  Chairman of the APC in the state, Stanley Okoro Emegha, had claimed in an interview that Mr Ifeanyi Odii, who was the 2023 governorship candidate of the PDP, was set to join the APC soon. Mr Emegha also said the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Ifeanyi Odoh and the Senatorial candidate of Labour Party, Linus Okorie, will…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Department of State Services has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Political Economist, Professor Pat Utomi, from pushing ahead with his alleged plans to hold rallies in support of his proposed formation of shadow government. The secret police, in a fresh application filed on Wednesday through its lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), requested the court to restrain Utomi and his associates from making public comments or engaging in rallies concerning the proposed formation of a “shadow government.” DSS told the court that “intelligence reports indicate that although Utomi is currently out of the country,…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has denied allegations that he consulted a native doctor regarding his reelection prospects in the November 8 governorship election in the state. Soludo described a viral video and publications making the rounds as “totally false” and “maliciously fabricated.” According to a statement by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, a video clip circulating online was taken out of context.  Aburime said the clip was from a recent meeting with Anambra-based content creators, where one of the creators performed a native doctor skit as part of an entertainment performance. He clarified that…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the use of non-kinetic operational approaches will enhance general human security as well as build peaceful and resilient communities. Musa said this at a two-day Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Workshop held at 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu. The workshop is being organised by Defence Headquarters in collaboration with British Defence Staff. Represented by a Director of Civil Military Relations, AVM Olushola Akinboyewa, the CDS said that the military was adopting better strategies to strengthen its non-kinetic operational approaches. According to him, in a…