Author: Editor
Our Reporter, Abuja As widely predicted, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders meeting at the government house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. He said his defection was in reciprocating the support President Tinubu has given him and the Rivers State people. The governor’s defection came four days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 others dumped the PDP for the APC on December 5. The lawmakers had blamed their defection from…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the sub-region in response to the escalating wave of military coups. ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, announced the decision on Tuesday at the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, warning that the Commission would not sit idly by while the region slides into anarchy. Citing the recent military interventions in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, as well as stalled political transitions in Guinea, Touray said: “West Africa now faces an average high-risk security rating.” He also expressed concern over the…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Senate on Tuesday granted swift approval to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the neighbouring Benin Republic on a peace-keeping mission. Tinubu, in a letter addressed to the upper legislative chamber, explained that the deployment followed a request from the Government of Benin Republic for urgent military assistance. The Senate, while approving the request, said the intervention had become necessary to prevent criminality, instability, and destruction of property in the neighbouring country. Upon receiving the President’s letter, the Senate immediately resolved into the Committee of the Whole. Shortly after Senate Leader Opeyemi…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A Magistrate Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has remanded a 43-year-old lawyer, Igwe Nwalo Johnson, in a correctional facility over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation against Comrade Chinedu Ogah, the lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency. The charges, filed under case number MAB/616C/2025 by the Commissioner of Police, allege that Johnson and unidentified accomplices conspired in October 2025 to commit criminal acts through cyberbullying. The prosecution, led by Barr. Eze Chinagorom Ndubuisi of the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, accused Johnson of conspiring to commit cyberbullying, an offence under Section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A Gloomy Start When Governor Francis Nwifuru assumed office in May 2023, he met a health system on the verge of collapse. Most general hospitals lacked equipment, drugs, and adequate personnel. As a result, many local communities depended on patent medicine dealers who doubled as makeshift treatment centres—often with poor outcomes due to limited medical knowledge. A New Initiative To address the crisis, Governor Nwifuru launched a massive reform programme involving the renovation of general hospitals and the recruitment of qualified doctors and other health professionals. To attract and retain medical personnel, the government provided incentives such…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government has inaugurated a Task Force on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to strengthen the fight against sexual and gender-based abuses across the state. The programme is being implemented by the state’s Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development, with funding support from the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC). The formal inauguration, held Monday in Enugu, drew government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and security agencies. Declaring the event open, Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi…
…Wonders why Boko Haram fight is lasting longer than civil war Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised the practice of allowing the military to procure equipment used in the fight against insurgency, saying it has turned insecurity into “an industry” in Nigeria. Obasanjo said the arrangement was abnormal and counterproductive. “You ask the military to be the ones buying equipment. It is not done. The whole thing becomes an industry,” he said. The former President also expressed concern that the Boko Haram insurgency has lasted longer than Nigeria’s civil war, which occurred between 1967 and 1970. Obasanjo…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Denca Global Courier Services, a firm specialising in entrepreneurship and export management, has trained no fewer than 100 customs officers preparing for retirement between 2025 and 2026 on opportunities in export, solid minerals and agro-industrial ventures. The one-day capacity-building programme was organised by Denca Global Courier Services in partnership with the World Trade Centers Association and the Nigeria Customs Service. Speaking at the training on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of Denca Global, Dr Onyinye Queen Okpa, said the programme was designed to equip officers with the skills and confidence needed to build sustainable business careers after…
…We made precautionary landing — NAF Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 military aircraft has reportedly been grounded by authorities in Burkina Faso for allegedly entering the country’s airspace without proper clearance. Ikengaonline learnt that the incident, which occurred on Monday in Bobo-Dioulasso, has sparked renewed diplomatic concerns within the Sahel region. However, the Nigerian Air Force, in a swift reaction, said the aircraft made a precautionary landing in Burkina Faso due to a technical fault. According to Agence d’Information du Burkina, the aircraft was conveying 11 Nigerian military personnel — two crew members and nine passengers…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government says it has saved over N2.5 billion in healthcare costs through strategic partnerships with various local and international health organisations. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Umuahia, citing a recent report released by the State Ministry of Health. He said the state’s collaboration with global health bodies — “driven by Governor Alex Otti’s leadership vision” — has significantly strengthened Abia’s health sector and saved numerous lives. “The partners include Revive Belgium, ProHealth, Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Living Hope Foundation, NDDC, among others,” he said. Prince Kanu…