Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia In a decisive move to curb building collapse, the Abia State Government has completed the installation of a building material testing laboratory, announcing that henceforth, all materials used in construction across the state must undergo mandatory quality testing. General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, disclosed this while addressing members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council. Agomuo revealed that the laboratory, built by the agency, is now ready for inauguration by Governor Alex Otti, adding that the facility will play a crucial role in…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino In the wake of renewed mass abductions of schoolchildren across Nigeria’s northern precincts, the governors of states within these high-risk zones have responded, not really with decisive protection measures, but with buck-passing, blame games, or outright closure of all schools under their jurisdiction. This response, far from being protective, sends alarming signals about the future of education for young people in the North. There is no rational justification for closing schools; it is synonymous with capitulation. Yet, there are best practices everywhere to draw inferences from. It is not only an admission of failure; it amounts…
…As Rector fixes January 2026 for relocation to Osisioma permanent site Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia It was celebration galore on Tuesday at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba (formerly Abia Poly), as Governor Alex Otti fulfilled his promise of awarding ₦1 million each to 150 outstanding graduates of the institution. The grant, first announced during the 2024 convocation ceremony, is intended to help the beneficiaries establish businesses of their choice. Presenting the cheques, the Rector, Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro, described the gesture as unprecedented in the institution’s history and a major boost for academic excellence and youth entrepreneurship. “This is the first…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu The debut album, “Igbo Rising,” by the phenomenal Gerald Eze, aka Ogbuoja-Eze, is a comprehensive delight to behold and cherish. The compelling 12-tracker released by Felbon Records grips you from the very beginning and never lets go until the last sound seeps into the bloodstream. Gerald Eze, universally hailed as Ogbuoja-Eze, is a singer and multi-instrumentalist in both Igbo and Western musical instruments, but holds aloft majorly as the maestro of the Igbo musical instrument Oja, alongside Uboaka. The exquisitely packaged “Igbo Rising” album of Gerald Eze kicks off with “Ogbuoja-Eze (Intro)”, produced by Anyi Nso…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Finance and economic experts will converge on Umuahia, the Abia State capital, for a summit aimed at addressing the persistent challenges confronting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The event, organised by the College of Management Sciences (COLMAS), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), seeks to develop creative and practical solutions to the obstacles limiting the growth and sustainability of MSMEs. According to the organisers, the 2nd COLMAS International Hybrid Conference, themed “Innovation and Sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Emerging Economies,” will also contribute to national economic development and expand…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia An advance team of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State was on Tuesday morning attacked by unknown gunmen on their way to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State. According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite Junction, shortly before the airport junction. No casualties were recorded, although the statement did not clarify whether any arrests had been made. The Government also debunked social media reports claiming that Governor Otti was targeted in the attack, stressing that he was not…
Our Reporter, Abuja Just as was speculated Monday after the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The nomination was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and transmitted to the National Assembly on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. General Musa is to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned from the cabinet on Monday on health grounds. Musa, who turned 58 on…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade has arraigned seven suspected illegal revenue collectors arrested in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area. The suspects were nabbed at the Amansea butcher market along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, where they allegedly extorted motorists and residents while in possession of dangerous weapons. They were first paraded at the OCHA Brigade headquarters in Awka before being taken to the Magistrate Court in Amawbia, Awka South, for arraignment. Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal revenue collection,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ezillo community, Ebonyi State, have adopted a resolution that the chairmanship seat of Ishielu Local Government Area be zoned to Ezzagu ahead of the August 2026 council elections. The decision was reaffirmed during separate familiarisation visits to a leading chairmanship aspirant and former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Ben Nworie. The stakeholders pledged full support for both the zoning arrangement and his candidature. Speaking during the visit, Barrister Chris Egbu, Chief Emeka Agbo and other leaders of the group…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has presented a draft budget of ₦1.62 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. According to the governor, the heavy capital vote is aimed at completing all ongoing infrastructural projects across the state while embarking on new strategic developments. He said that, as part of the administration’s expansion drive, every Local Government Area is expected to benefit from at least one major road project in the 2026 fiscal cycle. Presenting the Appropriation Bill, Governor Mbah announced a proposed estimate of ₦1,617,397,000,000, describing it as a transformational…