Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government says it is set to establish $1.3  world-class medical city in the state. The project, according to the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, is aimed at ending medical tourism in the state and making Abia a preferred destination for medical care in Nigeria. The Commissioner who spoke while conducting newsmen round the site for the proposed Abia Medical City at Mbasaa, near Owerrinta in Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area, said, it was the signature projects of Governor Alex Obi. Professor Uche said  the Medical City “sits on about 200 hectares of land covering…

…Says public funds must be used for public good Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has challenged political office holders in Nigeria to go to Abia State, and learn good governance and accountability from Gov. Akex Otti. Extolling the achievements of Gov. Otti during a special church service to mark Otti’s second anniversary, Obi declared that “one doesn’t need to tune to the radio to know what the governor is doing.” Obi said that the two years Otti had been on the saddle was worth celebrating “because he has shown  impactful leadership…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Mr Beloved-Dan Anike,  says that his newly formed Nike United Football Club of Enugu is ready to storm the Nigerian football scene. He said this while interacting with newsmen in his office. Anike said that having formally registered the club with the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC), the team was prepared for competitions. “We are currently completing the process of registering with the Enugu State Football Association, and once that is done, we will take the Nigeria football scene by storm,” he said. He said that the formation of the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Police operatives in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State in conjunction with Neighborhood Watch personnel from Adaba and Umulokpa have rescued nine kidnapped victims after a gun duel. The nine persons were abducted along Amagu-Umulokpa-Olo road at about 18:30hrs by gunmen. The kidnappers, however, met their Waterloo while trying to cross their victims through Anambra forest as the joint local security operatives from Adaba/Umulokpa, in collaboration with a DPO in Oji River and the Area commander Ezeagu region, intercepted them and after a shootout, rescued the victims between Ukpata and Uvuru in Uzo Uwani. The…

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu It is unfortunate that the ruling party has chosen to make national security a party political matter. It is even more tragic that the wannabe political opposition have allowed them to get away with it. The result is a vacuum of leadership in the security sector filled and fed with an atrocious body count of Nigerian casualties whose death and suffering barely registers on the priorities of the people supposed to protect the country, its people and communities.” Marte, the headquarters of the eponymous Local Government Area (LGA) on the western floodplains of the Lake Chad in…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Enugu State Government and the Health Focus Diagnostics Nigeria (HFDN), a Non-Governmental Organization, have affirmed commitment to accurate diagnosis, responsible antibiotic use, and stronger public health systems in the state. The partnership was highlighted at  a symposium hosted by HFDN in Enugu. The event with the theme: “Combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR): The need for accurate diagnosis,” was attended by health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and students from across the state. In her address, the Director of HFDN, Dr. Gerlinde Reiprich, said the partnership with the Enugu State Government was vital in addressing  antimicrobial resistance which has become…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has hailed Gov. Peter Mbah for his innovative, transformative and impactful governance filled with infrastructural, human capital and economic development strides in Enugu State. The Chairman of IPMAN Enugu Depot Unit, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, gave the commendation in a congratulatory message  issued to newsmen in Enugu to mark Mbah’s two years in office. Anyaso said that it was gratifying that Mbah had lived out the excellent service delivery acumen, which IPMAN members and those with IPMAN background have, and had effectively deployed this to a huge success records in…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Arm-wielding hoodlums have attacked a community in Ihiala Local Government Area, brutally killing an entire family of four. The late-night attack which occurred on Thursday night at Ekwuru village in Isseke community has left the entire community in fear, devastation and shock. The incident recorded the killing of a prominent community elder, Ichie Kennedy Igboanugo — popularly known as Ichie Akuruoulo 1 of Isseke — alongside his wife and his two daughters. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, suspected to be armed criminal elements, stormed the family compound and accused the elder statesman of leaking information to security operatives,…

By Nnamdi Elekwachi  BudgIT, an accountability-focused, civil society group, recently alleged that 11,122 new items (extra to the initial provisions) totalling ₦6.9 trillion were inserted in the 2025 budget by the National Assembly; a practice known in the Nigerian parlance as ‘padding’. There has been no word from the presidency, only insufficient denial from the National Assembly so far.   Initially, President Tinubu proposed the sum of ₦49.7 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, but the National Assembly, following concurrence of its two chambers, arrived at the amended sum of ₦55.99 trillion. Nigeria is indeed a country of contrasts. Sadly, this…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Governor Peter Mbah of Ebugu State on Friday in Enugu hosted the PDP Special Reconciliation Committee chaired by the former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as part of the efforts to resolve the ongoing protracted crisis bedeviling the party. It could be recalled that the leaders of PDP in the zone had in a communique issued after the South-East PDP Zonal Executive Council, ZEC, meeting recently announced the re-nomination of former PDP National Youth Leader, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, to serve out the remaining tenure of the National Secretary, threatening possible exodus should that fail. After…