Author: Editor

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The body of  Federal and State Auditor Generals of Nigeria, has called on public finance actors, especially the key government functionaries, to be more active in the  war against corruption in the country. This was as the body advocated for a uniform auditing standard in the auditing profession across the country. Speaking at a 4-day capacity building for the Auditor-Generals held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, the National Chairman of the body, Sunday Adegoke, described  financial misappropriation and other corrupt activities as  a global phenomenon  and called for a holistic approach in the fight against the menace…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Gunmen on Tuesday night shot dead a 48-year-old man, Mr. Micheal Nnaji, a native of Amuri in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State residing in Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The victim, who is said to be a businessman, is also a member of the local security in Ngbo Community. He was shot twice by the hoodlums who invaded his business area at about 9:45pm Tuesday night. A source in the area said that the hoodlums numbering 2 operated with a motorcycle and were also masked.  The source, a family member, said the …

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  After weeks of negotiations, the Abia State Government and the Organised Labour, Tuesday, signed agreement on the implementation of the N70,000 new national minimum wage and the consequential adjustments. The signing ceremony which held at the Conference Room of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, was attended by both representatives of the Labour leadership and Government officials. In a remark, Governor Alex Otti represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor  Ajagba, said his administration was fully committed  to workers’ welfare. He promised to pay the minimum wage which takes effect from October, 2024…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka After several weeks of unease and crisis, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh has emerged as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Odoh was appointed on Tuesday by the Governing Council of the institution led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe. Odoh, a 49-year-old Professor of Geophysics is of the Department of Applied Geophysics, Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University. He hails from Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, and was Secretary to State Government in Ebonyi, during the administration of Engr David Umahi. Announcing the appointment after a rigorous…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Comrade Bonny Okonkwo, a South Africa based activist, has been sentenced to 18 months jail by an Nnewi High Court over alleged character defamation. The accused who had been in detention for barely 10 months was however given an option of N500,000 fine. Okonkwo’s travails dated back to January 3, 2024, when he was arrested and detained following a complaint by businessman, Sir Emeka Offor, of alleged defamation on a WhatsApp platform for their Oraifite town. The prosecution had earlier presented evidence, including a phone call allegedly  made by Okonkwo in the courtroom, which linked him to…

….Demands clean up, compensation for environmental, human rights abuse …Full disclosure on approved requests Constance Meju, Port Harcourt Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over the state of corporate accountability in oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta and,  the fact that the health, wealth and agricultural resources of the Niger Delta are taken for granted even though it hosts the economy of the country. The international human rights body expressed these concerns at a press briefing to unveil its research finding on Shell’s divestment moves from Niger Delta onshore oil communities. The event held in Port Harcourt on…

…Ask for 200 hectares of farm land in each state  Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Igbo women under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, have announced a two-day agro-export summit  to sensitise Igbo women on the export of farm produce, and to give them opportunity to become more innovative in their agribusiness.  IWA has equally urged South-East Governors to make available, 200 hectares of farm land in each state which would be used as farm clusters by women. According to IWA, its intention for the 1000 hectares of farm land, is to engage 50,000 women in commercial farming across South-East, per…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Anambra State Government has announced the launch of its maiden Innovation Week, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and technological advancement in the state. Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, made the announcement during a media briefing in Awka, the state capital, Tuesday.  According to Okoli, the week-long event is scheduled to take place from 25-29 November, 2024, promising that it will provide a platform for start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts to showcase their ideas, talents, inventions and innovations. Okoli, who doubles as the Head of…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Governor, Peter Mbah has flagged-off the dualisation of 43.7 kilometers Abakpa Nike-Ugwogo-Opi Nsukka road, as well as the dualisation of 3.6 Kilometre Nike Lake-Penoks Junction-NOWAS-T-junction road in Enugu State. While performing the ceremony at Opi Nsukka, the governor said the project was part of his campaign promises, noting that it would enhance economic activities in the Enugu North senatorial zone, grow the state GDP exponentially and reduce poverty. The governor described Nsukka zone as another economic hub of the state, adding that the road project would be completed within 18 months. Mbah said that his administration had…

…Laments vandalism of Ohafia power installations Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, has commended his Ohafia kinsmen for banning metal scrap scavengers from operating in the community following their alleged link with incidents of theft and other criminal activities in the area. The Deputy Governor spoke at Amaekpu Ohafia  during Ohafia Dialogue organised by Mben Political Assembly to advance the development of Ohafia nation. He lamented the vandalism of Ohafia electricity installation along Itu-Ututu-Ihie-Ohafia 33KVA line by hoodlums, saying it had stalled socio-economic development in the area. He decried the activities of vandals   popularly known as…