Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Staff of various tertiary institutions in Abia State were jubilant, weekend, as the State Government began to pay N27.6 billion salary arrears owed them by past administrations. Some staff of Abia Polytechnic Aba were seen in a viral video dancing and singing the praises of Gov. Alex Otti for making real his promise to clear the arrears on monthly installments of N1.5 billion. They were overjoyed that at last their hope had been renewed. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, in a statement, said the State Government had commenced payment of N1.5 billion monthly, and would…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the biting economic hardship takes its toll on the masses, some residents of Abia State, have told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to quickly reverse the sharp and unannounced increase in petrol pump price. They told the President to stop giving palliatives to citizens but address the fuel crisis to stabilise the economy. According to them, Nigerians do not need palliatives but a stable economy. Recall that petrol price, last week, jumped from N617 it was officially sold to over N1000 in different parts of the country. In an interview with our Correspondent, an Umuahia-based tricycle operator,…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of planning to waste the state’s resources by conducting local government election on September 28. The party which had earlier distanced itself from the exercise, also described the conduct of both the government and the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) as criminal assault on due process and rape of the Electoral Laws. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, state publicity secretary, Engr Theo Egbe, advised the government to save the State the enormous resources billed for wastage by jettisoning the election. He said the government should…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved the purchase of an aircraft by the state government. This followed a request letter from Governor Francis Nwifuru which was read during its plenary by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa. The speaker highlighted the importance of floating fully state-owned airline in ensuring maximal operations at the airport. This he said will lead to the smooth takeoff of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, in Ezza South Local Government Area of the State. The leader of the House and member representing Afikpo North West State Constituency, Kingsley…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka A two-day workshop on laws affecting the media and safety of journalists has ended with a call for a thorough review of existing laws governing journalism practice in Nigeria. Organised by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity, and Accountability (CMEDIA) project, the workshop brought together journalists from various print, broadcast, and online platforms. Participants emphasised the urgent need for reform to enhance press freedom and combat the escalating cases of intimidation and violence targeting media…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Nkomoro Onuogba Nike community, Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, has appealed to former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, to stop demolishing their ancestral homes and farmland. They made the appeal during a peaceful protest in Enugu, alleging forceful takeover of their ancestral land by the ex-minister. But the former minister who had stoutly claimed ownership of the said land, saying he legitimately bought it over twenty years ago. During the protest community members carried placards with inscriptions such as “Barth Nnaji has rendered our people homeless,” “His Excellency, Gov. Peter Mbah, please save…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said that as part of efforts by his administration to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn and ensure food security, tractors needed for farming in the state will be produced in the state before the end of 2025. The governor said this when he received the newly elected president of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, and other leaders of the association at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and helping to de-risk investments…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The Imo State House of Assembly has passed three bills into Law. The bills include: Bill for a Law to establish the Light-Up Imo Project; Bill for a Law to establish the Orashi Special Energy Free Trade Zone; and Bill for a Law to Repeal the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law No.13 of 2010 and to enact a Law to establish a Commission for the development of the Oil Producing Areas in Imo State. The Bills were considered clause by clause, and certain amendments made before they were passed into law. After the passage…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka  Anambra State Government Friday placed a ban on the operations of condemned iron scavengers and other scrap metals popularly called ‘Ndi akpakara or ‘Iron kwandem’ in the State. The Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu made this known in a statement he released on Friday. He said the dealers cannot be allowed to continue their “evil act” of stealing private and public metal objects across board in the state. Nwosu said: “These fellows prawl the residential neighborhoods and commercial districts intermittently screaming “Iron Kwandem,” with their quaint accent, just to get public attention like the typical village town…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Reverend (Dr) Emeka Eze has urged Nigerians to always look back and assist the needy in their communities to enhance the living standard of the rural dwellers. Eze said this on Friday, when he donated a set of bands to pupils of Primary School Amaechenu, Ehazuabor Community in Nsukka Local Government Areas, Enugu State. He said that helping people back home will bring about lol peaceful coexistence and guarantee a better living environment for the people. “It is very important for people to understand the importance of community development. “Community development is part of human development and…