Author: Editor

Ben Ezechime, Enugu As the Friday, September 13, 2024, date for the first leg, second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League fixture between Nigeria’s League Champions, Rangers International F.C, and Angolan league runner-up, G.D Sagrada Esperanca, draws close, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have intensified its preparations for the encounter fixed for Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Under the watch of coach Godwin Nosike and other lieutenants of coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, who is on national duty with the Super Eagles, for AFCON 2025 qualifiers, the players have been responding well to drills and are rearing to go and defend the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Hayche Dev, an NGO, on Tuesday graduated the first batch of 313 young males trained as champions and advocates that support gender equality and respect for females in the country. The 12-weeks training, known as Positive Masculinity (+M) Programme, is currently being implemented across four states – Anambra, Enugu, Benue, and Plateau States. Speaking at the graduation held for participants of the progrmme drawn from the Nigeria Christian Corper’s Fellowship (NCCF) in Enugu, the Coordinator of Positive Masculinity (+M) Programme, Mr. Wilfred Okeke, lauded the significant strides made by the programme among its participants. Okeke noted that…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has called for the prioritisation of the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the upcoming local government election in Anambra State. The State Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, in a statement on Tuesday, called for the removal of barriers that hinder their active participation in electoral processes in the state. Okeke emphasised the rights and representation of PWDs in the political process and urged authorities including political parties to ensure their participation in the electoral process. He said: “In every democratic setting, the essence of holding…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter has taken a stand against the unjust persecution of academic staff members in various Nigerian universities. During a press conference at the ASUU Secretariat in NAU, Awka, the chairperson, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, declared September 10 as Victimised Lecturers’ Day to show solidarity with colleagues facing victimisation. Comrade Ubaoji expressed disappointment at the lack of action by the university visitors to address the crisis within university administrations and the ongoing victimisation of lecturers. He specifically mentioned institutions such as Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba; Ebonyi State University…

By Osteen Ejiasa Ndoki, my beloved Ndoki. You are the heart that pulls me home, the land where my spirit soars in full expression. My cherished homeland, where every visit fills me with pride. If time and fate allowed, I would be here all 365 days of the year. If circumstances aligned, I would return for good, without a moment’s hesitation. And so, just over a week ago, I set out once more, eager to reconnect with my roots. From Port Harcourt, I started driving homeward, unsure which route to take—Obehie or Afam. I chose Afam, not only for the…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Media Adviser to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Val Obienyem, has refuted the rumor of Mr. Obi’s arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) at his home in Anambra State. In a statement released on Tuesday, Obienyem dismissed the report as false and baseless. He clarified that the rumour first surfaced on Saturday and was quickly debunked. However, the misinformation continued to spread despite the denial. Obienyem emphasised that Mr. Obi was not in Anambra State at the time of the alleged incident. He explained…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The World Igbo Congress (WIC), has thrown its weight behind the growing call for the restructuring of Nigeria. WIC in a communique after its recent convention in the United States of America, said only restructured Nigeria where equity, justice and fair play are upheld could guarantee the continued existence of the country. The communique signed by WIC Chairman, Sir Festus Okere; and Secretary, Sir Chris Ogara, strongly condemned the growing incidents of unprovoked attacks against Ndigbo both at home and abroad particularly since after the 2023 general elections. It, therefore, threatened to seek peaceful self determination for…

…Excited about inclusion in Ghana exhibition Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government has explained that the postponement of school resumption date in the state from September 16 to 23 for the 2024/2025 new academic session, was because of the forthcoming Muslim holiday that coincided with the initial date. This is as Abia State has been selected by the Federal Government as one of the six states to represent Nigeria at an international medical symposium holding in Ghana. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made the disclosure during a press briefing at the end of the State’s Executive Council meeting in…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The detained National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been released by the Department of State Services, DSS, which quizzed him earlier on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to London. Ajaero who was granted administrative bail regained his freedom around 11:10pm. NLC had given the Federal Government 12:00am ultimatum for Ajaero’s unconditional release. His release was announced by pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle. Sowore wrote:“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has…

…Demands his unconditional release before midnight Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has placed all its affiliate unions on red alert over a possible shutdown of the entire country following the arrest of its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. Ajaero was arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday while on his way to London for a Trade Union Congress, TUC, conference. The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC, in an emergency meeting today (Monday), strongly condemned the “alarming and unlawful arrest and detention” of the…