Author: Editor
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri Tension has continued to rise in parts of Imo State with sounds of sporadic gunshots heard in different places since the killing of four policemen on patrol at Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state on Monday. On Tuesday, unidentified hoodlums shot dead a policeman and a civilian at Nworieubi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, and a young businessman at Amawire Orji in Owerri North, after looting his boutique that opened for business. Trucks belonging to the state management office was also set ablaze at Nkwo Orji in Owerri North Local Government Area. The situation…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Telecommunications giant, MTN, has resumed operations 24 hours after a nationwide shutdown. MTN shut down its operations on Tuesday. The shutdown was sequel to widespread customers’ outrage and vandalism, sparked by the disconnection of subscribers who failed to link their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers. Some persons had alleged that the blockage was not unconnected with the planned nationwide protest against bad governance. MTN, on Wednesday, announced its return to operations via X (formerly Twitter), confirming that its physical shops would be open to customers from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. “Y’ello customer, please note…
Our Reporter, Abuja As tributes begin to pour in following the passing of iconic musician and actor, Onyeka Onwenu Tuesday night, former minister of education and good governance advocate, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed her sadness over the death of a “sister.” Ezekwesili who took to her X handle on Wednesday said the death of the award winning musician and actress was “shocking and extremely tragic,” however described Onyeka Onwenu, as “cerebral and gifted.” She wrote: “Shocking and extremely tragic news of the passing of our dear @OnyekaOnwenu – The Elegant Stallion – as we came to know her. Our sister, Onyeka…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Federal government’s National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-pocket (NAGS-AP) was formally launched on Tuesday with about 14,000 profiled farmers in Anambra and Enugu states to access farm inputs at 50 percent subsidy. The flag-off ceremony, which held at Ikem Townhall in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State had in attendance Over 250 lead farmers under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, ATASP-1 National and Zonal officials and other stakeholders from the Agricultural Ministries in Anambra and Enugu as well as other value chain development actors. In his address as the Special Guest of…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu The sonorous songstress Onyeka Onwenu has just passed, but my duty here is to add the human angle to the legend of the goddess. Onyeka Onwenu, inimitable singer, ace broadcaster and classy actress took no prisoners in all her undertakings. Back in 1986, in the early days of the defunct THISWEEK magazine, Onyeka was billed to feature in the colourful “People” page of the trailblazing weekly that was then printed in London on Sunday and sold on the Lagos newsstands every Monday. The young lady journalist chosen to interview Onyeka was educated in the United States just like…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, says it is “skipping” all activities in honour of its late President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. It would be recalled that the Igbo leader, Iwuanyanwu, died on Thursday, July 25, after a brief illness in Abuja. The National Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Okey Emuchay, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu after an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Emuchay said that the NEC members were also at the national headquarters to sign a condolence register in honour of the late Iwuanyanwu, adding, “Indeed a huge Iroko has fallen.” According to…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Protest is all the rage in Nigeria today. Democracy allows for peaceful protest, but it is well-nigh impossible for overzealous state agents and sundry nefarious elements not to conjure up violence to complicate matters. In this wise, the demons of death are on the loose, arranging mayhem and spreading damnation. We walk an ungodly but very familiar Nigerian road littered with shattered bones and broken dreams. The pity is that people who ought to know better are flashing the dangerous aspects of ethnic baiting that will do the nation no good. Only the very self-deceptive Nigerian…
Our Reporter, Abuja; with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia In less than one week after the death of two illustrious Igbo personalities, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Igbo nation, has again, recorded another bewildering bereavement following the demise of a legendary singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu. The 72 year old music legend died Tuesday night after performing at an event at Banana Island, Lagos. She was said to have slumped after performing at the birthday ceremony of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. The music icon was later rushed to a hospital in Victoria Island, where she was confirmed…
By Zainab Suleiman Okino Critics of the Dangote Refinery might be called “deniers.” Their scepticisms stem from Nigeria’s history of failing its citizens, making it difficult for them to believe that an individual could succeed where the country has faltered. Building a refinery of such magnitude seems impossible, yet it becomes achievable when driven by forces greater than mere wealth, passion, or fame. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), led by Farouk Ahmed, had initially made disparaging remarks about the upcoming refinery. The resulting accusations and counter-accusations have tarnished the optics of what should be a collaborative…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Irked by illegal deductions from their salaries, staff of Abia State Health Management Board, HMB, on Tuesday, locked out officials of the Board over alleged slashing of their salaries without explanations. The aggrieved workers demanded the removal of the Director of Finance over the anomalies. They alleged that the slashing of their salaries started three months ago when the Director of Finance who had been posted out of the Board was returned. The protesters said they had complained to the Accountant General of the state but did not get any satisfactory response, hence their resolve to stage…