Author: Editor

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu In the aftermath of the announcement on 28 January 2024 by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic denouncing the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and leaving the regional bloc “without delay,” reactions spanned the spectrum from hubris to hyperbole. From Nigeria, the regional anchor and chair of the Community, the predominant sentiment was: “the three countries would have more to lose.” Outside the continent, some described the situation as “West Africa’s ‘Brexit’ moment” or Sahelexit, likening it to Britain’s decision in 2016 to quit the European Union. Reinforcing the comparison,…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI) Enugu, has been ranked as number one university in Nigeria by United Kingdom (UK) based Magazine, “Times Higher Education,” in the areas of staff and students’ ratio and quality teaching. This was made known by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Christian Anieke, while briefing newsmen on the latest global universities ranking in Enugu. Times Higher Education (THE), is a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education and creating university rankings by assessing universities performance on the global stage. According the vice chancellor, the ranking came…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri  Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has advised the newly sworn in commissioners to comport themselves to achieve development strides both in their official and personal conduct. Governor Uzodimma gave the advice at the inauguration of the five new commissioners and Civil and Local Service Commission at the New Executive Chambers,  government house, Owerri. According to the Governor, the new appointment was an effort aimed at reinvigorating the activities of the government and enhance efficient service delivery to ensure  the administration remained on the right track. The governor warned the commissioners to adhere strictly to the laid…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vehemently rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and endorsed Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary. This is as the Governors have picked March 13 as the date for the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party, and advised the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to convene the party’s NEC on the said date. The PDP Governors who met  in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Friday, also urged the party’s NWC to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s National…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State chapter on Friday visited Mr Chijioke Edeoga, the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, at his residence in Enugu. Chairman of the party in the state, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, who led the delegation pleaded with Edeoga to return to the party. He acknowledged Edeoga’s political influence in the state and urged him to “return home” to work for the progress of the party and the people of the state. Chukwunweike said: “We’re at the residence of His Excellency, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga.  “Ever since I assumed office as…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has handed over five newly refurbished and retrofitted  Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force. This is as the Governor has advised security agencies not to allow equipment and operational tools in their custody to dilapidate but use them wisely. Speaking while handling over the vehicles at the Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti said that his administration on assumption of office 20 months ago met the vehicles in terrible states of disrepair. “When we came in exactly 20 months ago, on the 29th of May 2023, we saw…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The 17  Local Government Chairmen of  All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have dismissed the statement maligning the former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odoh. The group said the mastermind of the statement, Mr Simon Attah, who claimed to be APC chairman in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was neither the APC chairman nor authorised to issue such statement. In a press briefing by All the 17 LG APC Chairmen in the State on Friday, the chairman of the  forum, Mr Ubah Onah, who is also the chairman…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have discountenanced Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directives on their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community’s youth forum led by Ejike Ifejiofor, with subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra State governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has cautioned students to avoid alcohol and hard drugs, warning that substance abuse can ruin their future. Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, Director General of the National Agency for Food, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) gave the warning, Thursday, during the inauguration of NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in Community Secondary School, Ifite-Umueri, in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State. The Director General who was represented by Mr Louis Madubuatta, a Deputy Director and Coordinator of NAFDAC in Anambra, emphasised the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. He…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested three suspects for “419” dollar scam and “one chance” activity within Enugu metropolis. The NSCDC recovered fake identification cards, a suspected stolen tricycle with plate number of Adamawa State, painted in Enugu colour and registration from the suspects; and investigating consignment of dollars that would undergo chemical washing they claimed to have. The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, said while parading the suspects on Thursday in Enugu that the suspects were apprehended at about 11:28a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Willie said that a…