Author: Editor
…Says Igbo-blaming now a ‘culture and industry’ in Nigeria Our Reporter, Abuja Professor Moses Ochonu has dismissed claims that the Igbo ethnic group was responsible for Nigeria’s recent redesignation by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and related bodies, describing such allegations as “inaccurate, harmful, and rooted in Igbophobia.” Ochonu stated this on Thursday while responding to questions as co-guest speaker at the November edition of the Ikengaonline Town Hall meeting themed “Alleged Genocide, Trump’s Threat and the Propaganda Against Igbos.” The Vanderbilt University scholar said the attempt to link Igbos to the redesignation was a continuation…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ruled out any immediate discussion on a contract extension for Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle. NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, made this known on Monday while responding to questions about the future of the Franco-Malian tactician with the national team. According to Gusau, Chelle is still only halfway through the two-year contract he signed with the federation in January 2025, making talks of renewal premature. “There will be no contract extension discussion with Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles head coach, for now,” Gusau said. “We signed a two-year deal with…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Army, on Friday, dismissed as fake news a report trending online alleging a planned mutiny by soldiers over poor salaries, allowances and welfare conditions. The Army said a mutiny would be ironic at a time when its leadership has prioritised the welfare of troops and their families. This was contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele. The statement, titled, “Threats of Mutiny: A False Alarm – Nigerian Army Committed to Troop Welfare, Discipline,” reads in part: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online…
By Press Release Nearly two years after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners, and take measures to prevent further attacks, the Attorney-General of the Federation is asking the Court of Appeal in Abuja to allow the Government to appeal the judgment by granting an extension of time since the three months prescribed by Law for lodging appeals has lapsed. In a motion on notice filed on December 23, 2025, by Mr. A.B. Mohammed, a counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A federal lawmaker representing Ishielu/Ezza North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Joseph Nwobasi, has backed the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Nwobasi said President Tinubu has delivered massive infrastructure to the South-East geopolitical zone and would, therefore, enjoy overwhelming support in the region in 2027. He disclosed that his decision to defect from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by the inclusive governance style of President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru. The lawmaker,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State chapter of the Obidients Movement has vowed to deliver the state to Mr Peter Obi in the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that he will emerge as the presidential flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The group made the vow on Monday when its collegiate members met with the Abia State leadership of the ADC in Umuahia. Leader of the delegation and spokesperson of the movement, Dr Chibuzor Obiesili, said the visit was to familiarise the group with the leadership of the ADC following the formal defection of their principal, Mr Peter…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia, with Agency Report After a 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco, Senegal on Sunday night won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship. Pape Gueye’s goal gave Senegal the extra-time victory over the hosts at the end of a match marred by disgraceful scenes following a controversial penalty award. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time. But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and solar lights from Enugu to Onitsha in Anambra State along the expressway. The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, disclosed this in Enugu on Saturday, adding that the Federal Government was installing CCTV cameras powered by solar lights on all federal highways, including the 107-kilometre Enugu–Onitsha Expressway. According to him, the fixing of the solar lights has progressed up to about five kilometres from the Abakpa-Nike Junction to the Ninth Mile Corner and will terminate in Onitsha. The minister also awarded a…
By Cheta Nwanze Let’s not mince words. The “generational reset” of Nigeria’s tax regime, which I wrote about last week, is no longer just a theory debated in Abuja’s air-conditioned rooms or a headline for the “Africa rising” brigade. It has landed, with a thud, in my mailbox. It arrived not as a policy brief but as a terse letter from my landlord’s agent informing me that my upcoming rent renewal includes a mandatory 10% withholding tax. The reason cited? “In line with the new tax policy.” Therein lies the first, gritty reality of this grand gamble: monumental confusion. The…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, over the alleged unlawful detention of a woman acting as a surety, the criminalisation of a civil investment dispute, and abuse of police authority by officers attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti. In a petition dated January 16, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC raised serious concerns over what it described as extra-judicial actions by police officers in a dispute arising from an investment agreement between Homes 4U Ltd and a…