Author: Editor

…Now collects zakat levy Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The precarious security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated following the emergence of a new terror group in the North-West. The group known as Lakurawa, moves in groups of 10 to 15 Motorcycles, and is dangerously armed. Lakurawas, also known as Mujahidin, has gained significant control in five local government areas of Sokoto State, collecting zakat and other levies from communities, sources have revealed. The affected local governments are Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji. The heavily armed group communicates in multiple languages, including Hausa, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Tuba, and English. According to residents,…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The body of the late first Civilian Governor of old Abia State and former Minister of Science and Technology Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has been laid to rest in his country home, Uburu Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. President Bola Tinubu, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary to the government of the federation, 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Umar Ganduje, Governors, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru and Peter Mbah were among prominent Nigerians that attended the burial. Other personalities who attended the burial, include Governor…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The National Defence College says it is studying the dynamic nature of Imo state through a research team from the institution. The Director Coordination of the college, Brigadier General Kabiru Sidi, made this known at the government house, Owerri, when the team selected from the college visited the Imo State Governor for a presentation. Brigadier General Sidi while noting that the college is the apex training institution for Nigeria’s armed forces in teaching strategy and policy said that Imo State was one of the states selected for the study. According to him, this year’s theme is “strengthening…

By Owei Lakemfa A few hours after Donald Trump proclaimed victory over Kamala Harris in the United States, US, presidential election, groups in the Caribbean and Latin America met virtually to discuss the future. Convened by the ten-country Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, ALBA Movimientos, the participants on the Wednesday, November, 6, 2024, focused on the on-going struggles for independence in Martinique and Guadeloupe and the implications of a second Trump presidency for independence struggles. Martinique is the birth place of Franz Fanon, famous author of The Wretched of the Earth which became the handbook of many…

By Azu Ishiekwene I understand wealthy US citizens and conservatives of the evangelical hue rooting for Donald Trump. The rich believe he would loosen regulations and protect them and their businesses from excessive taxation. Conservative evangelicals believe he is the bulwark against wokeism, especially the ultra-liberal variety. And white folks want their country back. But Africans at home and in the Diaspora – what is their business supporting a guy who described their continent as a “shithole” and has worn his anti-immigrant rhetoric on his sleeves? It didn’t seem to make sense that anyone who saw Trump 1.0 would ever…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  President-General of Nigerian Union in South Africa, Hon. Doris Ikeri-Solarin, has tasked Nigerian women on taking up leadership positions and attaining their socioeconomic and political dreams.  Ikeri-Solarin gave the task in Enugu at ‘Nwanyi Bu Ife’ (A Woman is Great Treasure) Festival 2024 with the theme, “A Woman and Her Dream: Where Are Our Women?” The festival also featured Women Doing Amazing Things (WODAT) award ceremony conferred on 30 distinguished Nigeria illustrious daughters, who have continued to push the boundaries of limitations in their spheres of human endeavours. Ikeri-Solarin, who noted that only women can multi-task and…

…Pays N90b out of N191 b inherited debt Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that $159 million foreign direct investments were recorded in the state between June 2023 and June 2024 under his watch. Otti, who disclosed this during a media parley on Thursday night in Umuahia, also said he had paid N90 billion out of the N192.2 billion debt his administration inherited from his predecessor. On the foreign direct investment, the Governor said that Abia had moved from the 27th position to the 3rd position in terms of states with highest foreign direct investment.…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As a mark of honour and to immortalise the first civilian Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Abia State Governor, Gov. Alex Otti has renamed the Abia State Polytechnic to Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba. Governor Otti announced this at the Inter-denominational church service organised by the Abia State Government in honour of the late former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. The Governor recounted the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of Dr. Onu to Abia State and the nation at large noting that he was a patriot…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, has inaugurated the board and management of the newly created Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA). The agency has Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), as Board Chairman and Obinna Odum as Director General. Inaugurating the board at the Banquet hall, Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti said that “GODA is a creation of his government backed by law.” He said that members were carefully selected to man the agency, adding that his administration is deliberate about GODA’s creation as it is aimed at bringing even development to Abia State. While recalling that his administration…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Renowned communications scholar and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Professor Umar Pate, has decried Nigeria’s absence of a functional information policy, stressing its crucial role in national development. Pate made this assertion while delivering a keynote address at the Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna International Conference, held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Wednesday. He explained that a well-crafted information policy is essential for effective communication, governance, and socio-economic growth. According to Pate: “Nigeria’s lack of a functional information policy hinders its ability to harness the potential of information and communication technologies for national development. “We…