Author: Editor

Ngozi Obiachu, Umuahia  Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has expressed optimism, that the rate of youth unemployment in country would be crashed when the proposed Labour Employment Enhancement Programme (LEEP), comes on stream. Onyejeocha who stated this in a meeting with Abia labour leaders, trade unions, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), among others, said millions of jobs would be created through the programme aimed at equipping youths with skills for self reliance. She said that plans were at the final stage for the official launch of the programme, and urged Nigerian youths to take advantage…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has, again, advocated peaceful balkanization of Nigeria, if the country could no longer work. Igboho who made the advocacy in a viral video,  said Yoruba, Igbo and other tribes in the country should be allowed to go their separate ways instead of forcing them to remain one in a forced union. According to him, many Nigerians are no longer proud to identify themselves as citizens of the country, hence the need for a peaceful devolution. Igboho who spoke  at an airport in the United Kingdom, said corruption,…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State  has charged the  leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to always place the collective interest of Ndigbo above their personal interests. Governor Otti gave the charge at the inauguration of the newly-elected executives of the Abia State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, held in Umuahia. The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information,  Prince Okey Kanu, stressed the need for them to articulate the Igbo interest at all times. Governor Otti, who noted that  emerging as leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a herculean task, said they are representing the interest…

Agency Report The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for unified efforts by stakeholders to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants in the country. Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, made the call in Abuja on Thursday, at a strategic meeting on COVID-19 preparedness and response. The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), following the recent emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in China and subsequent international concerns about the spread of the deadly virus. Recall that NEMA conveyed the strategic stakeholders meeting to discuss preparedness, response plans, and proactive measures within…

Ike Nnachi,  Abakaliki  A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ebonyi State has called for a gender-responsive budgeting framework as an approach to ending sexual and gender based violence in the state. They group under the aegis of Ebonyi State Gender Inclusion Bill Team  made the call during an advocacy visit to Ebonyi State House of Assembly. The campaign was powered by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) with support from African Women Development Fund (AWDF). Presenting the CSOs’ request to the Speaker, Moses Odunwa in his office, leader of the group, Nkem Chukwu, said the campaign was…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The President-General (PG) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, says he is committed to handing over the reins of power to an indigene of Rivers State. The National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonna, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu. He quoted Ozichuchukwu as saying: “Though my tenure as a President General is very brief, but what matters is the impact and legacy with which we will be remembered. “The millions of Igbo people all over the world are watching us with more than a passing interest on the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Enugu State High Court, sitting in Enugu, has stopped Ohanaeze Ndigbo, from fielding former Inspector General of Police (IGP)  Mike Okiro, as a candidate in the January 10 election for the office of the President-General. This followed a motion filed by Chimenu Amadi for himself and on behalf of the Indigenous Igbos of Rivers State. Amadi had approached the court asking the court to restrain Okiro from contesting the Presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the grounds that he is an indigene of Imo State, whereas only indigenes of Rivers State are eligible to aspire for the…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Catholic community has been thrown into a state of anxiety as two reverend sisters were Tuesday kidnapped in Anambra State. Ikengaonline learnt that the incident occurred along Ufuma road, as the sisters were returning from a vocational association meeting in Ogboji. According to a statement signed by Sister Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye, IHM Secretary General, on behalf of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, the kidnapped sisters are Sr. Vincentia Maria Nwankwo, Principal of Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial Model Secondary School Ufuma, and Sr. Grace Mariette Okoli, a teacher at Immaculata Girls…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and the incumbent Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; has visited Gov. Alex Otti with a team from China, a fortune 500 Chinese Government-owned company.  The former Governor said he came to pay homage to Gov. Otti as the father of the state, and present  the team from China Power to explore opportunities for possible collaboration with the State Government.  Kalu  thanked Governor Otti for receiving him on a very short notice and always keeping his doors open for him.  He introduced the team from China Power to the Governor…

…Optimistic about Kanu’s release Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Aba South Senatorial district, has declared that Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State would have no qualms winning a second term in office going by his incontrovertible achievements so far.  This is as the former Senate Minority Leader expressed optimism that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, would soon be released by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator who spoke during a Christmas and New Year visit to Gov. Orji,  said the Governor had changed the Abia narrative. Speaking to…