Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Federal Government has commenced implementation of key welfare components of its renegotiated 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), approving a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers in federal universities, effective January 1, 2026. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the development in a statement and directive issued to vice-chancellors on Monday, February 9, 2026. The approval follows the signing of the updated ASUU–FG agreement on January 14, 2026, after prolonged negotiations concluded in 2025, aimed at averting recurrent industrial actions and improving working conditions…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Army has announced the discovery of improvised explosive devices at Umuchima Forest in Abia State. This, according to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Capt. Mazinho Attah, is part of intensified efforts to curb the activities of criminal elements in the state. The discovery, according to the statement, was made on Sunday morning during a clearance operation by troops of 14 Brigade. The statement read in part: “On 8 February 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., troops of the Brigade, while conducting clearance operations along the Umuchima pipeline route…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Prominent regional organisations, professional bodies and legal experts have renewed calls for the inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, following the Senate’s rejection of the provision. Leading the push are the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Middle Belt Forum; the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); and constitutional lawyer, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. Operating under the umbrella of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF), the groups on Monday demanded the retention of Clause 60 of the proposed 2026 Electoral Act…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Labour Party presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, on Monday led a protest to the National Assembly, demanding the inclusion of mandatory electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act. Obi, accompanied by civil society activists and supporters, protested the Senate’s removal of clauses providing for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV). Addressing journalists at the National Assembly, Obi warned that Nigeria could not afford to repeat the mistakes of past elections, insisting that…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a nationwide boycott of the 2027 general elections and subsequent polls if the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act fails to clearly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results. The labour centre expressed deep concern over what it described as confusion, contradictions, and a lack of transparency surrounding the Senate’s handling of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly provisions relating to electronic transmission of results. According to the NLC, the prevailing ambiguity raises serious questions about the credibility of the 2027 elections and undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Amid mounting public outrage and sustained pressure over its controversial rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, the Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary sitting for Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The emergency session, slated for 12:00 noon at the Senate Chamber, comes barely days after lawmakers adjourned plenary until February 24—fueling strong indications of a legislative rethink prompted by nationwide criticism. An official notice dated February 8, 2026, and circulated to senators on Sunday, confirmed the development. The notice, signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Emmanuel Odo, on the directive of the President of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed that Abia State is open for business, assuring local and foreign investors of a secure, investor-friendly environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth. The governor gave the assurance in Umuahia while receiving promoters of the Aba Commercial Smart City during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the project developers and United Market Leaders/Traders. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Otti said the 140-hectare Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, strategically located at Osisioma, would reposition Aba as a major industrial and commercial hub, unlock massive job opportunities and…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government has dismissed reports alleging that it budgeted N250 million for the purchase of a photocopier at its Lagos Liaison Office, describing the claim as false and the result of a formatting error in the 2026 budget document. In a statement issued at the weekend, the Ministry of Budget and Planning clarified that only N12 million was approved for the procurement of a photocopier and other sundry office equipment, not N250 million as reported by some media outlets. According to the Ministry, the controversy arose from a formatting misalignment that occurred during the final…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Three children belonging to two different mothers have been stolen in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, by three yet-to-be-identified middle-aged women. The incident occurred in a compound opposite the Nkwagu Military Cantonment, Nkwagu Village, in Abakaliki Local Government Area. Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said the children were taken from their residence in Nkwagu Village by women who visited the compound on February 6, 2026. Ukandu said the matter had been reported to the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, by the parents of the victims, adding that investigations were ongoing…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the South-East is receiving more federal attention under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than at any time since the return to democratic rule in 1999. According to him, the region is witnessing significant progress, particularly in infrastructure development and other critical sectors. Umahi made the assertion at the weekend at his Abakaliki residence while receiving the people of the old Ezeagu zone, led by Senator Julius Ucha, who paid him a thank-you visit. He said the current administration has created opportunities for better inclusion of the…