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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia At last, the Port Harcourt refinery has commenced fuel production after several months of back and forth. This was confirmed Tuesday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. NNPC Spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement, said the loading of trucks would start around 1:45 pm. “Port Harcourt Refinery begins production. Truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” he said. He described the development as a major milestone by the NNPCL in Nigeria’s march towards energy independence. In another update on X, the NNPC said: “NNPC Ltd Delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Bishop Augustine Echema of the Catholic Diocese of Aba, has blamed overcrowding for the stampede at the Catholic procession on Sunday that resulted to the death of five faithful with scores of others injured. He, however, said investigation to unravel other details of the tragedy including the identities of the victims were on -going. The Bishop, in a statement titled: “A Tragic Christ the King Feast Procession,” expressed deep sympathy for the families of the deceased and injured. He said the incident was a big tragedy to the church, regretting that innocent worshipers fell victim of the…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended indefinitely the State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori. Also suspended but for 3 months are the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health; the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency. The officials, according to the Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, were suspended for alleged misconduct and dereliction of duty. Mr Okpor stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting…
… Speaks on insecurity Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Prince Okey Kanu, has given reason the State Government banned unauthorised free medical outreaches, citing safety concerns. The Commissioner who gave the explanation during a press briefing in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting, said any free medical outreach in the state must be approved by the Commissioner for Health. The measure, according to him, is to forestall untoward consequences of unregulated medical outreach or programmes “that may hurt rather than heal or help Abians.” He said: “It is now an offence to render such philanthropic healthcare…
By Owei Lakemfa A series of video recordings of men and officers of the Nigeria Army brutalising hapless Nigerians have in the past few weeks been making the rounds. The most disturbing, which a conscious institution should have by now made public either its interim or full report, is that of a Major General in uniform supervising the brutality on a young couple that can be no older than his youngest children. Soldiers have become like improvised explosive devices, IEDs in our streets with citizens unconsciously stepping on them. Unlike in Nigeria, soldiers in many countries are respected, not feared; they…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and human rights activist, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has advised Ndigbo to ensure that peace is restored in the South-East. He urged the killers and enablers of violence in Igboland to reflect on their actions and work towards peace in the region. In a statement obtained by Ikengaonline correspondent in Awka, Ejiofor emphasised that it is a well-known fact that Ndigbo are marginalised in the Nigerian political system. However, he stated that true struggles for the liberation of the oppressed must reject violence, fraud, criminality, and abuse as strategies. According…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Police-led Security Forces have rescued one wounded security operative after Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) clashed with armed hoodlums on Sunday. Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident said Police responded swiftly to an attack on members of the AVG of Umuchu extraction along Amesi-Uga road. “The Joint Security Forces quickly rushed the victim to the hospital where he is currently responding to treatment and activated intelligent-information-led patrols in the area aimed at denying the criminals the space they enjoy to cause havoc. “Unfortunately, during the gun duel bullets hit the fuel tank of the Toyota Frontier Van…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki About ten of indigenes of Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on awaiting trial have died in prison, women of the community alleged on Monday. The women, who hail from the two warring sections of Effium and Ezza-Effium in Effium community stated this at a briefing In Abakaliki, capital of the state. They called for the release of their husbands and children languishing in prison over the intractable war between the two neighbouring communities. Background The people have been leaving together peacefully and coexisting until a recent motor park union leadership election in…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia No fewer than four suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were Sunday, killed by troops in a forest at Umuaku Isuochi, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, according the Nigeria Army. The Army said it also arrested some suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, during a raid in some of their camps in Abia and Imo State respectively. This was contained in a statement by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu. The statement issued Monday night, said some arms including bullets and vehicles were recovered by members of the Joint Task Force during…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Low public awareness about the provisions of the new Nigeria Police Act 2020, has been blamed for the persistent rights abuse and excesses of police personnel in the South-East geopolitical zone. This was the consensus of participants at a two-day “Media Townhall Awareness on Human Rights, the Police Act, and Regulations,” organised in Enugu by the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), for media practitioners in the zone. Participants noted with concern, the high level of ignorance of the provisions of the new Act among members of the public as…