Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been remanded in Kuje prison following his arraignment before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Justice Maryam Hassan ordered his remand on Thursday over alleged involvement in contract fraud amounting to more than N2.2 billion. The order followed Ngige’s plea of not guilty to an eight-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court directed that he remains in custody until Monday, when his bail application will be heard. Ngige, who served as Minister under the administration of the…
Our Reporter, Abuja with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Bayelsa State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday after collapsing during official duties at the Government House, Yenagoa. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., prompting immediate emergency response. He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was first taken to the emergency unit before being moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Medical efforts to save his life were unsuccessful. His unexpected passing has shocked residents and government officials, given that he was actively…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has commended the university’s women for their unwavering support to his administration. Speaking at the 2025 Christmas and farewell party of the MOUAU Women Association (MOUAUWA), Prof. Iwe described the group as a strong pillar of support and a valuable asset to the institution. He noted that unity among staff remains one of his most cherished achievements, stressing that progress is impossible where divisions persist. “I’m glad I have achieved unity in this institution. We now work together as one family, and…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu As the world marks International Human Rights Day 2025, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has decried the worsening state of human-rights protection in Nigeria, attributing the trend to systemic governance failures that continue to deny citizens the dignity, security, and freedoms guaranteed to them by virtue of their humanity and citizenship. In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Communication, Mr. Robert Egbe, the organisation said state neglect, abuse of power, impunity among law-enforcement agencies, widespread insecurity, and deepening socio-economic hardship are eroding the rights of millions and widening the gap between political…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has listed the restoration of the dignity and pride of Abia people as one of the major achievements of his administration in the past 30 months. He made the assertion at the Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral, Umuahia, during the silver jubilee dedication anniversary of the cathedral and the ordination of 15 young men as Deacons — the first step on their journey to the priesthood. Otti noted that within the period under review, his administration had been focused on laying a solid foundation for sustainable good governance that would endure for generations. He said:…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Ebonyi State has launched the One Health Initiative, a collaborative framework linking the health, agriculture, and environment sectors to enhance disease prevention, detection, and response. The initiative was unveiled by Governor Francis Nwifuru during a multi-stakeholder engagement held on Thursday in Abakaliki, the state capital. The programme was organised by the Evidence-Informed Policy Approaches for One Health (OH-EVI Project) in partnership with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), the African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems (Nigeria), and the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu. The event also featured the presentation of an Evidence Brief for Policy…
By Azu Ishiekwene If it seems like only yesterday when the founder of LEADERSHIP, Sam Nda-Isaiah, passed away, it’s because he is still here in the present tense. Yet you might disagree if you are looking for him in the wrong place. Let me lessen your confusion. If, for example, you still hope he’d call at 2.30 am to wake you up and ask why you’re asleep at that time, which he did without a hint of irony, and such calls have stopped since, then you may consider him part of the past. There are other footprints. His hearty laughter,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Secretary to the Abia State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, has received the approval of Governor Alex Otti to embark on a leave of absence to attend to pressing domestic matters requiring his physical presence in Canada. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma. According to the statement, Governor Otti announced the development during the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, December 8, 2025. The Governor was quoted as explaining that, given the enormity of responsibilities associated with the SSG’s office, it was not…
Our Reporter, Abuja President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed that his directive ordering the withdrawal and redeployment of police officers attached to VIPs, VVIPs and serving ministers remained irrevocable, warning that non-compliance would not be tolerated. Speaking at the opening of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, according to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President told ministers and other senior officials to immediately adhere to the directive, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force must be freed to perform its core constitutional duty. “If you…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Vice Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Professor Cele Njoku, has appealed to the Federal Government to extend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions to private tertiary institutions. Prof. Njoku, a former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, made the appeal on Wednesday during the university’s 10th pre-convocation press conference. She argued that the continuous exclusion of private institutions from TETFund support is unjustifiable. According to her, private tertiary institutions play a critical role in complementing government efforts in expanding access to higher education. She maintained that denying them access to TETFund ultimately…