Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti has expressed delight over the 2025 BudgIT Report, which ranked Abia State 4th in fiscal performance. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Governor described the development — the first time Abia has achieved such a feat since the inception of BudgIT — as “a significant achievement for Abia State.” “Under Alex Otti’s leadership, Abia State has demonstrated focused and intentional governance, as also recognized by the Debt Management Office (DMO) report earlier in the year,” the statement read. It further noted that “BudgIT relies strictly on factual…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria continue to draw global attention, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has accused United States lawmakers of relying on false and misleading data to indict the country. The Minister, who featured on a CNN interview Tuesday night, said the lawmakers’ claims “do not reflect the complexity of Nigeria’s security situation.” Idris’ defence was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim. It read: “Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia A Port Harcourt–based social media user, Innocent Chukwuma, was on Tuesday quizzed by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Oyigbo in Rivers State for allegedly calling for a military coup d’état. Chukwuma is alleged to have made the call on his X account. The post on @TheAgroman reportedly read: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now. “It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country. “The bastard in Aso Rock…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Tragedy struck in Unwana, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as a 21-year-old man, Emmanuel John Igboko, was allegedly shot dead by a member of a vigilante group, Eze Ibiam Irem. Sources in the community said the incident occurred on the night of October 25, during the Ebikpo cultural celebration — a traditional event that forms part of the Ogo initiation process for young men in Unwana. The Ebikpo night is an age-long tradition where initiated men move around the community singing satirical songs about individuals, mostly women, whose actions or lifestyles are considered morally…

…Abia Govt Assures of Support Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Nigeria’s quest for digital innovation has recorded a major milestone as an Abia-born undergraduate of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Master Obinna Chimdi, developed ChatATP — an app capable of turning any website into an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled platform. The 18-year-old, who hails from Umuomainta, Mbawsi, in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, said the cutting-edge digital innovation took him six months of intensive research to develop. He explained that “ChatATP allows users to chat with any website to perform actions.” Obinna said…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Mr. Bruce Fein, the international lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, urging him to dismiss Kanu’s ongoing trial “for lack of jurisdiction.” The American-born international attorney, in a letter dated October 28, which was sighted by Ikengaonline, argued against the further prosecution of Kanu in any Nigerian court, considering the illegal manner in which he was “abducted and renditioned to Nigeria.” According to Fein, the illegality of Kanu’s abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya has rendered…

By Promise Adiele Recently, Nigeria’s political and social spaces were saturated with news, rumours, propaganda, and sundry narratives of multiple complexions about a botched coup d’état. Although the military hierarchy quickly released a statement assuring Nigerians that there was no coup, some military officers were arrested. Again, the military insisted that the officers’ arrest was not connected to any coup, but rather a routine disciplinary measure to maintain professionalism within the military. The cancelled October 1st Independence parade at Eagle Square in Abuja conveyed a feeling of unease within the presidency. The reason advanced by presidential media handlers that the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FMFA) and financial institutions to create an enabling environment for local industries in the South-East to thrive and compete favourably within the ECOWAS sub-region. Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, made the appeal in Enugu during a one-day workshop on the Modalities for Participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), organised by the Ministry’s ECOWAS National Unit in collaboration with the Enugu State Government. The workshop, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade Through ETLS,” brought together stakeholders from across…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Former Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on African leaders to chart a new course for the continent — one rooted in self-determination, innovation, and good governance — rather than dependence on external validation or aid. Delivering the keynote address at the Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) 2025 Forum in Nairobi, Saraki said Africa’s transformation must begin with leadership that is ethical, strategic, and accountable to its people. The forum, hosted by Kenya’s KANU Party and opened by its Chairman, Gideon Moi, brought together leaders of over 25 centre-right political parties from across Africa…

By Zainab Suleiman Watching the news of the recent elections in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire broke my heart. Once again, Paul Biya — at 91 years old — has been declared the winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, extending his more than four decades in power. In Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, who has been president since 2010, has also secured another term. Both men claim victory in countries where discontent, fatigue, and frustration are palpable. Ouattara was once in the opposition. Has he forgotten where he came from? So soon? For me, these are not just isolated events. They represent everything…