Author: Editor
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Anambra State Government has vowed to punish operatives of the Special Anambra Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) that allegedly manhandled one Wilfred Ezike, also called Mgbilimgba in Onitsha, on Tuesday. Videos trending on different social media platforms showed Mgbilimgba beaten to coma by a group of people said to be SASA operatives in the state. Ikengaonline gathered that the SASA officials repeatedly hit Mgbilimgba with pestle while some others were making the video, as the victim was rolling on the ground, helplessly crying and begging them to allow him to explain. In the video, the operatives were overheard querying…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of glaucoma among Abia residents. The Governor’s Senior Aide who is also an eye expert overseeing the Eye section of Abia Diagnostic Centre, spoke after monitoring the on-going free eye screening in designated centres in the state as part of activities for this year’s World Glaucoma Week. She revealed that one out of every four patients coming for eye treatment at the Abia Diagnostic Centre, had glaucoma. Decrying the prevalence of glaucoma, Dr Emeka-Obasi disclosed that…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu The student was different. She exuded confidence that seized the atmosphere like a charge of electricity. It was the morning assembly of the all-female Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The esteemed secondary school had in its 62 years of prolific existence produced uncountable notables, but there was a presence today that commanded uncommon attention. She was spick and span in the light-blue skirt and white blouse uniform of the school, complete with light-blue braces and cap, white socks, and black-on-white-sole sneakers. Let’s just say that she stood…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino To the chagrin of many citizens of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, like his predecessor’s, constantly demonises the previous government of President Muhammadu Buhari to justify the negative effects of their harsh and unbearable economic policies, such that you would be forgiven to think they belong to different political parties. We don’t know whether making a scapegoat out of the past administration was part of the ruling party’s mantra. Blaming ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was a familiar refrain that characterised the Buhari presidency for eight years. In those early years, it was excusable, considering Jonathan’s below…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The hope of many Nigerian students has again been dashed, as the Federal Government has announced the indefinite postponement of the the launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, who disclosed this during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, simply said the postponement was necessitated by the corrections being effected concerning the scheme. Previous attempts to launch the scheme in October 2023, and January 2024, were unsuccessful, thus leading to its reschedule for Thursday, March 14. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu state Government has approved 15,000 hectares of land for Ugwuanama farms Limited, for Agricultural production in Isi-Uzo local Government Area of the state. The state government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the farms with the view to ensuring food sufficiency in the state. Speaking after signing the MoU in Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah described the partnership as significant and symbolic. He congratulated the Ugwuanama farms Limited, and expressed the hope for a good partnership with the farm. Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has visited Ehere Timber Market Aba, which went up in flames Monday night. The cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained. Although no life was lost, goods especially timber worth millions of Naira were destroyed. Governor Alex Otti, during the visit sympathised with traders over the disaster and promised Government support for the affected traders. He also ordered immediate remodeling and reconstruction of the market to make it more convenient for trading activities. The Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the poor design of the market which made it easy for fire…
…Want Fubara to take legal action to stop AGIP, EXON MOBIL A coalition of women focused organisations working in the Niger Delta and knowledgeable about the evil trail of havoc wreaked on the region’s ecosystem and livelihood, have called on the Ahmed Tinubu government to halt the planned signing of the onshore divestment agreement with Agip and Exon Mobil. In a joint press briefing held Thursday February 22 at the office of the foremost women NGO in the region, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center in Port Harcourt, the coalition demanded that there should be no divestment without proper Federal…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has decorated no fewer than 10 newly-promoted personnel serving within Enugu State. Those decorated with their new ranks after a successful promotion include: three top officers, three middle-level officers and four marshals. Speaking during the decoration in Enugu on Tuesday, the Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Adeyemi Sokunbi, appreciated the Corps Marshal and FRSC management for considering personnel of the command for the promotion and decoration. Sokunbi noted that the promotion and decoration was a privilege, adding that not everyone that went for the promotion exams made it.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Senate, Tuesday, slammed three-month suspension on Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP), representing Bauchi Central, for alleging that the Presidency padded the 2024 budget by N3.7 trillion. Senate had earlier disowned the Chairman, Northern Senators’ Forum, over the allegation, just as the Presidency flatly denied the allegation. When the matter came up on the floor of the Senate, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, moved a motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension. Ibrahim, who represents Ondo…