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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has clarified the circumstances surrounding the sealing of the Renewed Hope Agenda office in Umuahia. He explained that the action was not politically motivated, contrary to claims by opposition figures, but part of a “blanket enforcement of court orders” carried out by the state’s Harmonised Task Force. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Governor said he directed the immediate unsealing of the property after the matter was brought to his attention by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday presented a ₦1,016,228,072,651.99 (one trillion, sixteen billion, two hundred and twenty-eight million, seventy-two thousand, six hundred and fifty-one naira, ninety-nine kobo) appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Abia State House of Assembly. Presenting the proposal, christened “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities,” Otti said the administration would prioritise infrastructural development to further open up the state. “This captures the scale of our ambition to drive rapid socioeconomic growth and sustained development through investments in infrastructural projects, social services, security, and similar outlays that are at the heart…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on Tuesday presented a total budget estimate of ₦884.868 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Christened the “Budget of Actualisation and Hope,” the governor said it is designed to accelerate infrastructure expansion, strengthen human capital, and consolidate ongoing reforms across key sectors. Presenting the Appropriation Bill at the Assembly complex, Governor Nwifuru said the budget was crafted in strict alignment with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy and reflects priorities gathered from citizens across the state. With a capital outlay of ₦749.49 billion—representing 84.7% of the…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT), in partnership with the Enugu SME Centre and the Enugu State Office of Digital Economy, has commenced the training of 120 youths in Enugu State on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) installation, configuration, maintenance, and enterprise. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s NIGCOMSAT Youth Empowerment Programme. The theme of the training is “Strengthening Last Mile Connectivity: VSAT Capacity Building for Enugu State Communities.” Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, said the programme aligns with NIGCOMSAT’s mandate to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide. Represented by the agency’s Head of Sales,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Ahead of the planned takeover of the iconic Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum, Umuahia, the Abia State Government has approved a comprehensive renovation of both monuments. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting. According to the Commissioner, the decision aims to transform the state’s cultural, historical, and creative landscape in line with Governor Alex Otti’s vision for the arts and creative economy. “This follows the finalisation of agreements between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the State…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State has emerged as the best-performing state in Nigeria on the health emergency preparedness index. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a press conference in Umuahia, noting that the ranking was contained in the SBM 2025 report. Describing the achievement as a significant milestone in the health sector, the Commissioner attributed the feat to the unprecedented efforts of Governor Alex Otti toward revolutionising the state’s critical health system. He appreciated SBM Intelligence, a research and strategic communications consultancy, for its assessment. “The report confirmed that the reforms being carried out in the…
By Owei Lakemfa The world was in turmoil in the mid 2000s. Nature had visited humanity with one of the most devastating storms in contemporary times. Hurricane Katrina which made a landfall in New Orleans, United States, claimed 1,392 lives and displaced a million people. But if humans had no chance against such natural disasters, it should at least do something about man-made ones. These included renewed wars in Sri Lanka and Colombia, rising violence in Nepal, Chechnya and Iraq. Then, there were talks in the United Nations, UN, about appointing a Special Envoy that could intervene to bring warring…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Archbishop of Umuahia Methodist Diocese, Archbishop Raphael Chibuzor Opoko, and a Professor of African History at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, Prof. Moses Ochonu, will jointly feature in the November edition of the Ikengaonline town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 27. The duo will speak on the topical theme: “Alleged Genocide, Trump’s Threats, and the Propaganda against Ndigbo.” They will also respond to questions on the implications of the controversial conviction of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for Ndigbo and the possible way out of the Kanu debacle.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia After months of speculation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally joined the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). Atiku announced his defection on Monday via his X handle, where he posted a photograph of himself holding his ADC membership card with the brief caption: “It’s official.” His move comes after his July resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been enmeshed in a prolonged internal crisis. Atiku was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, where he finished second.
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The 38 abducted members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, who were rescued from bandits on Sunday, are currently receiving medical care at the Kwara State Government House clinic. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while receiving the freed victims, said their rescue did not signal an end to the fight against insecurity in the country. “It is not yet Uhuru. We won’t celebrate until the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls regain their freedom,” the Governor said. It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid to secure their release. Reports indicate that the rescued victims, visibly exhausted after several…