Author: Editor
By Promise Adiele J. P. Clark’s poem “Night Rain” recounts the hardships faced by indigent people in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. According to the poem, the persona and his household are rudely roused from sleep by heavy raindrops “falling like orange and mango” at a time of the night he could not precisely recall. But he was sure it was not morning because there was no cockcrow. Once the household woke up, they remained awake. Through their leaking roof, raindrops permeated the room, gathering on the rough floor. Led by the astute mother, a true leader, the family…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has read the riot act to criminal elements operating within the zone, vowing to bring the full weight of the law on anyone found disturbing public peace. AIG Uzuegbu gave the warning when he received the new leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State, led by its Chairman, Deacon Steve Oko, during a courtesy visit to his office. He declared that the Zone 9 Command has “zero tolerance for criminality,” adding that no part of…
…Claims police lobby for posting to region Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability and Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, has decried the proliferation of security checkpoints across South-East roads, describing the region as “a cocoa farm for security operatives.” He alleged that some police personnel now lobby to be posted to the South-East because of the illicit financial gains associated with such postings. Speaking during a virtual town hall meeting organised by Ikengaonline, Nwanguma lamented that corruption, brutality, and extortion have continued to characterise policing in the region despite repeated reform efforts. “The…
By Owei Lakemfa The images of the police taking on demonstrators in the streets of Tanzania and Cameroun, following disputed elections, remind me of the first time I was battered by policemen. I was 17 and had gone to the Kings Cinema on Lewis street, Lagos Island. After the film, my friend, Albert Biodun Okopie and I were, like many film goers, excitedly discussing the film as we walked on the road. When we got to the Magregor Canal, we noticed a small crowd. Parked was a reconfigured 911 bus popularly called ‘Molue.’ We joined the crowd to find out…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has inaugurated an ultra-modern health centre and the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna Study Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. The two facilities were among the series of projects commissioned during the grand finale of the second-year-in-office celebration and project inauguration of Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze, the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the event, Mrs. Nwifuru commended Hon. Eze for his commitment to improving the welfare of his constituents through impactful and people-oriented projects. She noted…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The attempt by a former Manager of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Oliver Anidiobi, to reclaim a property acquired with proceeds of crime has failed, as an Enugu State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Cyprian Ajah (PhD) struck out his suit. This was disclosed in a human rights update issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), through its President, Olu Omotayo, Esq. Anidiobi, who was convicted and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment on November 2, 2021, for forgery and theft of N219 million deposited by Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers at the local government level. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting. He said the approval formed part of the ongoing reforms in the state civil service. Kanu also announced that the recruitment portal for additional health workers in the state had been re-opened. According to him, the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of public servants,…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Fire Service says it saved public and private property valued at approximately N2.46 trillion from destruction between January and September 2025. The Chief Fire Officer of the state, Mr. Okwudiri Ohaa, disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, noting that the service responded to 260 emergency calls across the 17 local government areas within the period under review. According to him, the emergency calls were promptly attended to regardless of the time of day, adding that 20 victims were rescued alive, while 52 others were recovered but confirmed dead. Ohaa said that building…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Leaders and stakeholders from the South-East are set to meet with National Assembly members from the zone to harmonize their position on the proposed creation of an additional state. According to sources close to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who serves as co-chairman of the Constitution Amendment Committee, the meeting is scheduled to hold on November 14, 2025, in one of the South-East state capitals. Those expected to attend include governors, ministers, National Assembly members, speakers and deputy speakers of state Houses of Assembly, and heads of federal agencies from…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent designation of Nigeria by the United States government as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), warning that the move and reports of possible military action should worry every well-meaning Nigerian. In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said the U.S. position was a reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, which he described as “unprecedented,” with massive loss of lives and property across the country. Citing Amnesty International’s report that over 10,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since May 2023,…