Author: Editor
Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and waking those pretending to be asleep — An Ikengaonline Editorial Many had hoped that President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ would chart a decisive course on national security. After all, no nation can flourish amidst chaos. But thus far, the results have been underwhelming.” In the early hours of a January morning, an ominous silence was shattered in Malam-Fatori, a remote town in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State bordering Niger. In a brazen assault that lasted over three relentless hours, insurgents aligned with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) descended upon the Nigerian Army’s 149th Battalion, arriving…
…Price of fuel expected to come down Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Nigeria’s revenue projection for the 2025 budget is under threat as crude oil price has crashed in the global market as as result of the trade war between the United States and China. US President Donald Trump has been imposing tariff hikes against so many countries including US traditional allies in his bid to revamp the US economy. Nigeria’s N54.99 trillion 2025 budget, which is based on oil price of $75 per barrel and 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd), will be greatly affected by the tumbling, according to experts.…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reassured depositors of liquidated Banks in the country of the safety of their savings. The Managing Director/CEO of the corporation, Mr Bello Hassan, gave the assurance in Enugu on the NDIC Special Day at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair. Bello, who was represented by Mrs Pamela Roberts, Controller, Enugu Zonal Office, commended the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), for sustaining the annual event. He said that this year’s theme, “Developing Nigeria’s Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition ” was apt and timely.…
…Says Nigeria happened to him Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, has waded into the alleged unjust incarceration of Alabi Quadri, the little boy who stood in front of Peter Obi’s Presidential campaign convoy during the 2023 electioneering period declaring that “Nigeria happened to him,” a popular phrase meaning that the country failed him. Alabi, a minor has been detained at the Kirikiri Minimum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos since January. Following reports of his incarceration, Mr Inibehe visited the prison on Wednesday and described the situation as another example of the failings of Nigeria’s criminal…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has expressed worry over the on-going trade war between the United States of America and China, warning that the standoff poses grave and imminent danger to global economy. Recall that China had imposed 84% tariff increase on imports from the US following the initial 50% tariff by US President, Donald Trump, on imports from China. But Trump, shortly before announcing a 90-day pause on his controversial tariff increase, has reciprocated the Chinese action by slamming 120% tariff on imports from China. According to the WTO…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Chairman/CEO of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has called for massive investment in research, technology and adoption of best in-class global practices for Nigeria’s industrial growth. He made the call on Wednesday at the Dangote Group’s Special Day at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu. Dangote said that putting the necessary measures in place was the best way for products from Nigeria to gain global recognition. Represented by the Deputy Regional Director, South East, Dangote Cement PLC, Ayirioritse Okerentie, the Chairman/CEO, stressed that for Nigeria’s industrial sector to be ahead of competition there…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Writing on what passes for Nigerian politics today is a pathetic attempt at making meaning out of wretched absurdity. To lift the spirit, one has to take a recourse to literature where there is a measure of elevation in the undertaking of Nigeria’s creative writers across the decades. One cannot be too wrong in starting the discourse with the offering of Nigeria’s arguably most influential poet, Christopher Okigbo. The lived life of Okigbo was short, but the poetry he wrote remains deathless. It is remarkable that Nigeria’s US-based academic, poet and journalist Professor wrote a full-length…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi Command, says it has seized 55.947 kilogrammes of various illicit substances and arrested 112 suspects in the first quarter of the year. The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Peter Ogar, disclosed this with the reporters on Wednesday in Abakaliki. Ogar explained that the arrests and seizures were made in different locations in the state between January and March 2025. Ogar said, “the Command had also within the period counselled 59 suspects, comprising 45 males and 14 females within the age bracket of 21 to 76. “In total, we arrested…
…As NNPC, Abia govt begin free eye surgery for cataract patients Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his commitment to making healthcare delivery a top priority in Abia State, declaring that he has no choice other than fixing the Abia State health sector. This is as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Foundation, in partnership with Abia State Government has commenced free eye surgery for 1000 cataract patients. Governor Otti was speaking, when he received the consultant coordinating the Free Cataract Extraction for NNPC Foundation, Dr Anne Amugo, who was in Abia for the flag-off of the NNPC’s…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The abducted Coordinator of Ngbo Central Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs Blessing Adagba has regained her freedom. Sources said she was freed by her abductors on Tuesday night. It was not immediately clear if any ransom was spaid to secure her release. The Coordinator was abducted in Okposhi Eheku community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state on April 3. Police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed her release to reporters in Abakaliki, capital of the state on Wednesday. Ukanda claimed that her release was made possible by officers and…