Author: Editor
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…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that his former Principal is free to contest the 2027 presidential race with or without him as his running mate. The Kaduna-born Senator who featured on the Channels Television programme on Wednesday, stated this in a statement. Baba-Ahmed who attended the National Executive Council, NEC meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, said Obi is much welcome to be Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer in 2027. “There are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome…
Uzor Maxim Uzoatu A new experience in theatre is on stage at the esteemed University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The Senate Ceremonials Committee of UNN is presenting the Department of Theatre and Film Studies in Greg Mbajiorgu and Nneka Alio’s play, Beauty for Ashes, directed by Greg Mbajiorgu and Ugochukwu Ugwu, for the 54th Convocation Ceremony of the University on July 25 at the New Arts Theatre, UNN, starting from 4pm. According to Associate Prof. Greg Nnamdi Mbajiorgu, Head of UNN’s Department of Theatre and Film Studies and Fellow of Theatre Arts & Nuresdef Laureate, “Beauty for Ashes is a…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has openly decried the pervasive culture of electoral manipulation in Rivers State. Speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport upon his formal reception by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, Amaechi vowed to challenge the state’s notorious reputation for “writing election results.” “Our state is notorious for writing results. We must stop them from writing results. They make noise after writing results,” Amaechi declared to a cheering crowd of supporters who braved the rain to welcome him. His remarks come amid widespread allegations of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the National Assembly takes the draft amendment of the constitution to geo-political zones for their inputs, former Minister for Education, and Health respectively, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, has advocated a return to regional government, power devolution and fiscal federalism where the federating regions will control their resources and pay agreed royalty to the Centre. The elder statesman also demanded the creation of the long-agreed parity state for the South-East, and the drafting of a brand new constitution for Nigeria, describing the current constitution as “fraudulent, over patched and an imposition” by the military. Professor Madubuike who also…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has condemned Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State over a recent threat and travel ban reportedly issued against the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi. Wabara described the governor’s comments as “executive rascality taken too far” and an abuse of power unbecoming of a public office holder. Governor Okpebholo, last week, warned that Obi must obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State, stating that the former Anambra governor would have himself to blame if anything happened to him. “If Peter Obi wants to come here, he should…
Our Reporter, Abuja Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has strongly condemned the reported police shooting of unarmed residents protesting the demolition of their homes in Karsana, Abuja, describing the incident as a “state-sponsored trauma.” Senator Kingibe in a statement on Wednesday, said security operatives allegedly opened fire on civilians who had gathered to express their anguish over the destruction of their homes by government bulldozers. “That bullets were fired at civilians, people merely trying to salvage their lives and dignity, is both unacceptable and indefensible. This is not law enforcement; it is state-sponsored trauma.” She further…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Zik disappeared inside a bottle and then reappeared before daring Mammywater to do what he had done if she had the powers! Mammywater went into the bottle, laughing, and Zik instantly corked the bottle. The news broke like tropical thunderclap: Zik of Africa is dead! The announced death of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President & C-in-C, was like the falling of an elephant. I hereby recall the words of the iconic poet Christopher Okigbo in “Hurrah for Thunder” thusly: “Alas! The elephant has fallen -/Hurrah for thunder -/But already the hunters are talking about pumpkins:/If…
Our Reporter, Abuja Rights advocate and legal scholar, Professor Joy Ezeilo (SAN), has reignited debate over gender-based discrimination in Nigeria’s citizenship laws, particularly as it affects women married to foreign nationals. Reacting to comments made by British-Nigerian politician Kemi Badenoch, Ezeilo, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur and a prominent voice in Nigeria’s legal reform space, described the UK Minister’s critique of the Nigerian Constitution as valid—likening it to “a broken clock being right twice a day.” At the heart of the controversy is Section 26(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which allows Nigerian men…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the continued exclusion of the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones from recent appointments into the boards and leadership of key federal parastatals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze decried what it described as a glaring lack of regional balance and equity in the composition of strategic national institutions. The group cited the recent reconstitution of the Bank of Industry and other major federal agencies as examples where the South-East and South-South were deliberately sidelined. “These…