Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Manufacturers of cement in Nigeria, have accepted to reduce the rising price of the commodity nationwide. This was after a crucial meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Abuja. Umahi convened the meeting following the skyrocketing price of cement due to the soaring inflation rate in the country. The manufacturers reportedly agreed to sell a 50kg bag of cement at a retail price between N7,000 and N8,000, depending on location. However, the manufacturers stated that the price drop from the current market price would depend on the fulfilment of certain government interventions to ameliorate…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As protests have continued to erupt in different states over the worsening economic situation in the country, the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has advised Ndigbo home and abroad against joining the protests. Chief Iwuanyanwu who accused other tribes in Nigeria of maintaining criminal silence while previous administrations marginalised Ndigbo, said it was not logical for them to expect the Igbo to join them now in nationwide protest. Below is a full text of the message personally signed by the Ohanaeze helmsman: “MESSAGE TO ALL IGBOS WORLDWIDE “I…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka A female lawyer, Adachukwu Chikelu-Okafor, who allegedly inserted hot knife into the private part of her 10-year-old house girl, has been detained. Anambra State Government confirmed her detention to journalists on Monday. Adachukwu had allegedly boasted while manhandling the child that she was a lawyer but went into hiding when public outcry trailed her action. But on Monday, the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, confirmed the runaway lawyer’s detention in an interview with newsmen in Awka. She said the Onitsha-based lawyer surrendered herself to the police few days after a bounty…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The dry season characterised by high temperature, wind, low humidity and dryness of the soil and air has been said to be one of the reasons for the increase of fire outbreaks. The Controller, Federal Fire Service, Imo State Command, Mr. Felix Elozieuwa, while comparing the incidents of fire outbreaks of 2013 to that of 2024, also blamed the fire incidents on some human activities. Mr. Elozieuwa disclosed that the state recorded 12 incidents of fire outbreaks in January; and 13 in February 2023, as against 18 in January; and 16 incidents as at February 13th 2024.…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Member representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal constituency, Nkemkanma Kama has sued for peace among all communities and people of the constituency. He stated this in his Ishiagu country home during a prize presentation ceremony for winners of various competitions he organised during the Yuletide Season. The Lawmaker who splashed millions on the winners said he organised the events to develop and expose budding talents in the three local government areas in the constituency. He noted that development can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere and therefore urged the people to shun violence and other vices. He said: “I…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State Government has released list of screaming centres for the free medical outreach by the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas (ANPA). A statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee cum Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-kalu, said the screening would hold in 65 different locations across the state. The statement said the screening “begins on Monday, February 19 and ends Friday, March 22nd”, adding that “It’s to be held from 9 am-4pm,…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved the recruitment of 2,600 youths into the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS). The approval aims to enhance the capacity of security agencies in the State to fight banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities, especially those committed within the forests. The Ebonyi State Commander of NHFSS, Igwe Larry, made the announcement in a statement. He said the approval was a testimony of the confidence of the State Government in the ability of the NHFSS to contribute effectively to the curbing of insecurity in the country by complementing…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia After months of arguments, the Federal Government has commenced the payment of the withheld salaries of university lectures. Salaries of university lecturers were withheld when members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, embarked on eight months strike to protest poor funding of public universities. ASUU Chairman, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, according to PUNCH, confirmed the payment. He was quoted as saying: “Yes, it is true. Payment has started rolling in.” Recall that President Bola Tinubu Tinubu had in October 2023 approved the release of four of the eight months ASUU’s withheld salaries.

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Protest, Monday morning erupted in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Youths in their hundreds took to the street demanding urgent action by the Federal Government to address hunger and insecurity in the country. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately address the nation over the rising cost of living, shouting that people are dying of hunger. They displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others. They were also chanting anti-government songs to register their grievances. Although the protest was…

By Rudolf Okonkwo Growing up, I wanted to be Bob Marley. Nothing more, nothing less. I bought every one of his cassettes I could see. I read and memorized the lyrics of his songs from those Onitsha market printed booklets that mangled the words of the reggae musician. I went as far as buying his interviews. Though it was challenging to understand Patwa, I enjoyed listening to Bob. When I discovered I did not have Bob Marley’s voice or the vision, I decided to be Obi Egbuna, the George Bernard Shaw of our shore. I’m still working on that one.…