Author: Editor
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu Muhammad Ali, the American boxing phenomenon whom the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) voted the Sports Personality of the 20th Century in 1999, often promoted pugilistic enterprise in verse. When then ruler of the country formerly known as Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga, invited him to a contest against then reigning champion, George Foreman, for the undisputed heavyweight boxing championship of the world in October 1974, Ali christened the contest as “Rumble in the Jungle.” One year later, in October 1975, Filipino dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, thought to imitate his friend in Zaire…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The immediate-past member representing Aba South state constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, has pleaded with the military not to revenge the killing of five soldiers in Aba on Thursday. Ichita who is currently the Country Director/Principal Representative of the German Initiative for Knowledge Transfer eV, in Nigeria, described the attack as atrocious. The ex-lawmaker expressed shock and sadness over the incident, describing the attack as barbaric and senseless. Hon. Ichita said: “The attack on, and murder of military personnel in Obikabia near Aba is abominable and condemnable,” he wrote in a…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Anambra State Government has said that plans are underway to establish a mechanic village as part of the urban renewal project in the state. This was disclosed by officials of the state government during a stakeholders engagement involving Ministry of Transport and operators of auto service centres, auto spare parts dealers, auto mechanic and technicians, motor vehicle and caterpillar dealers and Keke dealers among others, on their proposed licensing in the state. Stakeholders during the meeting had called on the state governor to quickly set machinery in motion to establish mechanic villages in the state, where mechanics…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government through the state’s Internal Revenue Service has announced the enforcement of payment of land use charges on 800,000 houses in the state including ancestral homes in various communities. The Chairman of the service, Mr. Ekene Nnamani, who disclosed this said the enforcement would start from Saturday June 1, 2024. He said the drive was part of the effort to realise its N20bn revenue target from land use charges in 2024. According to him, the land and property taxes were the mainstay of the government’s internally generated revenue. “The plan is also aimed at…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Organised Private Sector, OPS, has expressed its displeasure over the decision by organised Labour to begin an indefinite strike from Monday. According to OPS, the proposed industrial action will be injurious to businesses and have negative impact on jobs. Spokesperson for OPS who doubles as the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Wale Smatt-Oyerinde, warned that “organised businesses will also, within extant legislation, do all that is necessary to protect enterprise sustainability and protect jobs.” A statement issued by OPS read: “Following the third walkout by organised labour during the National Minimum Wage negotiation…
Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Saturday, June 1, 2024 is different. On this epochal day, the Worldwide Organisation for Women Africa Incorporated. (WOW Africa) shall host the third edition of “The WOW Conversation” at the ultra-modern Hilton Leisure Hotel, by Regina Caeli road in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State. The global conversation starts at 10AM. According to the personable Executive Director, WOW Africa Inc. and Producer The WOW Conversation 2024, Mrs Amaka Ada Akudinobi Esq, “this annual dialogue aims to bridge gender gaps by fostering discussions between men and women about issues impacting the livelihoods of women and girls. It…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As tension continues to build up in Abia State over a possible military reprisal operation following the killing of five soldiers in Aba by hoodlums on Thursday, Abia elders have appealed to the military authorities to soft pedal. Some of the elder who spoke include Abia former Governor, and the immediate-past Senator representing Abia Central, Senator Theodore Orji; former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and former National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa. While condemning the barbaric attack, the elders expressed concern over the catastrophic effect of any military operation in Aba…
…Calls for political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s matter Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the killing of five soldiers by non-state actors in Aba on Thursday. The barbaric killing happened on a day the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ordered a sit-at-home in honour of those who died during the Nigeria/Biafra war. Reacting to the killing via his X Platform, Atiku said “its time to explore political solution on the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.” According to the former Vice President, political solution…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (GM/CEO) of Rangers International Football Club, Amobi Ezeaku, has said that the governance model in place in Enugu Rangers has become the envy of clubs in Nigeria and Africa at large. Rangers currently sit atop of the Nigeria Premier League table thanks to the club’s consistent impressive performance in the league this season. Ezeaku, who was delivering a keynote at the Ikengaonline May Townhall meeting on Thursday, said the club has risen to become a global brand with the eyes of scouts from continental and European clubs on its players. He…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The councillorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State held on Friday in different parts of the state for the July 20 local government and councillorship primaries turned bloody with some members of the party injured by suspected thugs. The state Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, had said that the exercise would be peaceful. Emegha told newsmen after distribution of materials that adequate arrangements have been made including provision of security to ensure peaceful exercise. “Our primaries will be free and fair, no danger. I am not envisaging any danger…