Author: Editor
By Azu Ishiekwene I don’t know how it is in your part of town. But it’s been a nightmare in mine, a supposedly middle-class residential area in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. Rolling blackouts do not begin to explain the depth of the misery. It’s been a dreadful time of rolling and erratic blackouts. Like surfing an angry wave, if you understand what I mean. Generators and other alternative sources of power, mostly inverters, solar panels and repurposed domestic gas, have replaced public power supply. Private power supply has become the main source; while public supply, if you ever get…
By Owei Lakemfa His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is a pendulum. He dangles across political and ideological lines. Sometimes, he seems to forget what he said in the morning. It is therefore not surprising that in the Russo-Ukrainian War, he has swung from being a peacemaker in 2022, to an advocate of damaging Russia without destroying it, on to demanding in 2024, an outright invasion and destruction of Russia. I am sure he is not so daft not to realise that his advocacy to militarily overrun Moscow, is an invitation to a Third World War. I don’t…
…Approves N100k interest-free loan for women, parades highest number of female perm secs Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has boasted that his administration is the most gender-sensitive since the history of the state. Otti who made the boast in his goodwill message to Abia women for the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, said that four women head sensitive ministries in his administration. He also added that 17 out of the 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state are all women, a development he said, demonstrated his high value for women. The Governor in the message signed by…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia An Abia State High Court sitting in Ukwa, has sentenced to death by hanging, two former members of Abia vigilante group popularly known as Bakassi Boys, for alleged kidnap and murder. The judgment was delivered by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu of Abia High Court sitting in Ukwa. The convicts – Ugochukwu Amaugo, and Udo Ogah, were found guilty of an alleged conspiracy, kidnap and murder which occurred on the 30th of August, 2014. They were said to have allegedly arrested two young men, Temple Nwakanma, and Martins Azih, around Osisioma area of Aba, for alleged unlawful possession of…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Any man in power in Nigeria can boast of an intimidating number of sycophants, toadies and lickspittles roaming along the corridors of power. One excited toady of the moment was making noises lapping up what his leader said, to wit, anybody protesting against the government should wait for 2027 to contest the election. This translates to the grand philosophy that any man starving to death today must perforce keep himself alive anyhow until 2027 when the elections are due. It is in the interest of the government’s ass-licker to understand that hunger has no political party…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has appointed an Osun State man, Mr Bayo Ojeyinka, as a Permanent Secretary in the Anambra State civil service. Mr Ojeyinka has been in the Anambra State public service system since 1995, when he completed his National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) in the state. He received the award as the best serving corps member during his service year, and was subsequently retained by the state government. Speaking on his promotion, he said: “I am so excited to be considered. I don’t see this as a right but rather a rare…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu A University Don, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), has urged Nigerians to exploit the benefits of zobo leaves to treat hypertension and related ailments. Nwachukwu, who is a Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology in the university, gave the advice while delivering the 201st Inaugural Lecture of the University on Thursday in Enugu. The Lecture was titled: “The Marriage Between the Cardiovascular System and Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Zobo leaves) Let No One Put Asunder.” He said that age-long research and findings had found Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Zobo leaf) to be very effective in checking hypertension…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Police Command in Enugu State has described as “untrue and misleading” the story of a woman who allegedly dumped her three children in Ogui Police Station and ran naked into a moving vehicle. In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the police came out with clarification on the situation and urged the public ro disregard the publications. The statement reads in part: “The Enugu State Police Command has received news publications that allege a woman suffering from depression over hardship dumped her children in the Ogui Police Station of the Command on…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The South-East chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have proposed N540,000 and N447,000 respectively as new minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The organised labour of NLC and TUC made the proposal during the South-East Zonal Hearing organised by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage on Thursday in Enugu. Speaking on behalf of the NLC in the South-East, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, the Chairman, NLC Enugu State Chapter, noted that the value of N30,000 minimum wage of 2019 had been eroded by inflation. According to him, if you consider what is…
…Advocates women empowerment Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Governor’s wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has vowed to lead the war against drug abuse among girls and young women in the state. The Governor’s wife who made the vow while speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration, Thursday in Umuahia, decried the rate at which girls and young women in the state indulge in consumption of illicit drugs. She called for collaborations among parents and other stakeholders in the fight to stamp out the scourge. “I need to let you know that I have recently taken up a battle against drug abuse…