Author: Editor
…Say there’s hope for Abia Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Khaleefa Muhammad Sanusi; former Minister for Finance, Kalu Idika Kalu; former Military Administrator of Old Imo State, General Ike Nwachukwu (retd); and the former Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh, were among the dignitaries that stormed Abia State on Thursday for the formal inauguration of the Abia State Global Economic Advisory Council. The 19-member council is co-chaired by Sanusi, Oteh, and an investment guru, Bolaji Balogun. Some members of the Council include: Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The International Human Rights Observatory Africa (IHRO-Africa) says it will launch a programme to monitor activities of the National Assembly on accountability and good governance. The Special Envoy and Country Director of IHRO-Africa to Nigeria, Dr Chimbo Obieze, said this on Thursday in Enugu while speaking to newsmen on the international group’s interest to monitor activities of lawmakers nationwide. Obieze said that before the first quarter of the 2024 runs out, the group would be launching “The Legislators’ Diary” to ensure dividends of democracy to get to millions of Nigerians. He said that the project would be…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government says it has sealed the Ezimo-Agu illegal coal mining site in Udenu Local Government Area of the state. The government acting on credible information swooped on the illegal miners in collaboration with police operatives of the Obollo-Afor Divisional Police Headquarters. They also arrested six men and confiscated seven trucks for allegedly, violating ban on illegal mining in the state. The arrest followed the latest order by the state government that illegal mining operators be arrested and their operational vehicles confiscated if found at the mining site. Dr Kingsley Nnaji, Special Adviser to the…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, has initiated moves to save Igbo language from going into extinction. The group which decried the growing apathy for communication with Igbo language among young Igbo generation, said it had embarked on aggressive crusade for the revival of Igbo language. IWA expressed concern over the alleged plan to shut down Igbo Department in the University of Lagos for lack of students. The pan Igbo women group announced free education for any Igbo student willing to study Igbo language at the university to avoid closing down the Department. Addressing a press conference Wednesday in…
By Azu Ishiekwene I hope Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, can finally get some sleep. He deserves it. After the ruling of the Supreme Court on Friday, upholding his election, the governor told a crowd of his supporters who came to rejoice with him at the State Government Lodge in Abuja, that he had not slept for seven days, in spite of the comfort of his waterbed. Mohammed, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said he had been awake, seven days and seven nights, “fighting former leaders” to secure the mandate of voters. I can imagine. This was an…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “C” says it recorded seizures worth N5.6 billion in the 2023 fiscal year. The Zone “C” Comptroller, Mr. Kayode Kolade, described the seizures as a result of hard-work, resilience, dedication to duty and commitment of his men and officers. Some of the items seized were pangolin scales, foreign parboiled rice, cannabis sativa, fake pharmaceutical products, tramadol, used vehicles, used tyres, used clothing and explosive raw materials among others. The Comptroller also said that as a result of the interventions of his officers in checkmating the activities of fraudulent agents…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu Rangers International Football Club will on January 24, clash with Rivers United FC in a rescheduled week 11 Nigerian Premiere Football League (NPFL) 2023/4 match. Norbert Okolie, Media Officer of the club said the NPFL organisers have fixed the encounter for Wednesday, January 24, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, “The Cathedral,” Enugu. According to him, the release from the organisers, which was endorsed by the Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, titled, ‘Re-Arrangement and Rescheduling of Match Day Fixtures,’ directed all involved in prosecuting matches to ensure that logistics were available. It would be recalled…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Director of Abia Breaking News, an on-line Television platform in Umuahia, Abia State, Mr Ifeanyi Okali, has demanded open apology and payment for damaged equipment when police operatives invaded the station during a live programme. During the invasion, the police were said to have whisked away a guest of the station on live programme. Okali who strongly condemned the action of the police also expressed worry that law enforcement agents had become law breakers. In a strongly worded statement, Okali called on the Police authorities to curtail the excesses of some overzealous personnel. Below is a…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A former member of the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie has been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest for the Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election. This followed the publication of his name as candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the election. Mr Okorie, represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency from 2011 to 2019. He contested for the senate seat under same party during last year’s general election but lost to Senator David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okorie, 57 years, will slug it out against 7 other candidates of other…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Gov. Alex Otti has advised Abia traders and beneficiaries of N900 million World Bank-assisted Government Enterprise Employment Programme (GEEP); and Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), to judiciously use the grants to stimulate their businesses. Speaking Wednesday when the beneficiaries paid a “Thank you visit” to him at the entrance gate of Government House Umuahia, the Governor counselled them against abusing the grant. Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti said that the grant should be invested responsibly to grow their businesses. He said the state’s economy could only grow when the beneficiaries help…