Author: Editor

By  Chidi Anselm Odinkalu On 15 October, 1965, as political uncertainty and violence raged in Western Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola, the regional Premier, was due to deliver a prime-time radio broadcast to his people at 19:00. Some minutes before the appointed hour, an armed, unmasked and bearded young man appeared in the studio and required Akinwande Oshin, head of the newsroom at the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (WNBC) to substitute the recorded broadcast of the Premier with a tape provided by the gunman. At the appointed hour, the entire region – including the Premier – listened as the voice from the gunman’s tape…

…Demands arrest of Benue killers Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, has attributed the current food scarcity in the country to incessant barbaric attacks on agrarian communities by bandits. CONYL which stated this in a statement by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately fish out those behind the recent attack on Benue communities that claimed 15 lives including a retired Army officer. The invaders suspected to be bandits, razed over 50 houses, huts, farmlands and food barns in 11 settlements during the attack. CONYL said that mere condemnation…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Ahead of the Ramadan, an Enugu based foundation, OakAid Foundation, on Saturday provided free dental care for over 300 Muslims in Enugu to improve their oral health. Some of the healthcare provided for them include free dental consultation, oral health education, routine dental cleaning and free oral care kits. Speaking during the event held at Enugu Central Mosque, Uwani, and titled “Pre Ramadan Dental Care Outreach,” the founder of the foundation, Gloria Arinze, said the gesture was her own little way of giving back to the society. She said the programme was powered by her clinic, OakAid…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) through its Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) has taken awareness on women leadership rights and Gender Based Violence (GBV) law enforcement to three communities within Enugu State. The workshop, which is part of activities marking the commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), brought together women from Ibute-Nze, Ezi-Nze, and Akpakwume communities in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Speaking in Ezi-Nze community on Friday, Blessing Uchendu, Gender Protection Lead of SSDO, explained the need for increased inclusion and investment in women, particularly in the promotion of diversity in leadership…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Speakers of Abia State House of Assembly under the aegis of the Conference of Former Speakers of Abia State House of Assembly, have commended the incumbent Governor Alex Otti for his giant strides in infrastructural development. The ex-number three citizens made the commendation when they joined the Governor to inspect a number of on-going road projects in Aba. The former Speakers who are chieftains of their various political parties, noted with delight that, Abia for the first time, has had semblance of good governance. They expressed their satisfaction over the quantum and quality of infrastructural development…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The he remains of the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe; his wife, Doreen Chizoba and first son, Chizzy, have been laid to rest in his Isiokpo, Ikwere Local Government Area, Rivers State country-home. The late banker was buried in a private tomb inside the Wigwe University which he built in Isiokpo. It was rivers of tears as relations and friends wept uncontrollably at their graveside while their remains were being lowered to the mother earth. The Wigwes died in a tragic helicopter crash in the United States of America, about three weeks…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the gruesome murder of four young men at Abacheke community in Ohaji Egbema by gunmen According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Henry Okoye, the CP has deployed the Command Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and clamp down on the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly act. The release states that the hoodlums dressed in military camouflage, attacked Abacheke community in their numbers, riding motorcycles and firing sporadically during which five residents…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has called for an increased inclusion of women in political representation at both national and subnational levels in Nigeria. Ikengaonline reports that the call by the Centre aligns with the global community’s yearning for increased inclusion of women in leadership positions. IPC emphasised the importance of empowering and investing in women by promoting their active participation in political leadership and decision-making roles. This, the center said, would be a crucial strategy for addressing the democratic challenges facing the nation. Reflecting on the United Nation’s 2024 theme: “Invest in women—accelerate progress,” IPC…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu No fewer than 1,050 residents of Emene community in Enugu have benefitted from Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) Comprehensive Medical Outreach which took place on Friday. The outreach, sponsored by the National President of NAFOWA, Dr Rakiya Abubakar, covered free treatment for various ailments for the residents especially women and children of Emene community and other adjoining communities within Enugu metropolis. Abubakar, who is also the Wife of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, said that the medical outreach was part of NAFOWA humanitarian services and corporate social responsibility meant…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Hope beams for Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, in Abia State, as the State Government, has commenced their registration with a view to determining their number and improving their welfare. Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, who spoke during the flag off of the capturing exercise in Umuahia, explained that her husband has plans to enhance the welfare of all PWDs in the state. According to her, the aim of the capturing is to have accurate data of the special group in the state and, plan for their welfare. The Abia First Lady also distributed bags…