Author: Editor

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Police in Anambra State have confirmed the kidnap of three staff of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Limited in Nnewi. According to a source, the victims include the company secretary, finance manager and one security officer. The source said the gunmen arrived the factory just a few minutes after the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Innocent Chukwuma, left his factory. However, police authorities in a release signed by the state police command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said they have begun tracking the gunmen in a view to releasing the kidnapped staff. It read: “Anambra Joint Security…

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Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led Government in Anambra State has approved tax exemptions for small business owners in the state.  The decision was made during the 35th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting, Tuesday.  According to the council, small business owners with capital less than N100,000 will be eligible for tax exemptions. The move, Ikengaonline gathered, is aimed at supporting the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the state. Governor Chukwuma Soludo emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs, stating that they are crucial to the state’s economic development.  The governor also encouraged investors to take over the…

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Our Reporter,  Abuja  Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 generalelection, Mr Peter Obi,  has praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for at last fulfilling its promise of revamping the Port Harcourt refinery after many flip-flops on the matter. The promise was fulfilled Tuesday when the Refinery finally came back on stream with the resumption of fuel production after the missing of several deadlines. But taking to his official X account on Wednesday, Obi congratulated NNPC for ultimately fulfilling its promise of bringing the refinery back to life. “I wish to congratulate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation…

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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Two disability rights activists, Chidinma Ajemba, and Ernest Okeke, will jointly feature on Ikengaonline townhall meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 28. They will speak on the theme: “Access and political participation of PWDs in the South-East.” This is contained in a statement by the Editor-in-Chief of the South-East-focused accountability and good governance online Newspaper, Uche Ugboajah. The monthly meeting scheduled for 7:00 pm (WAT), will be co-anchored by US-based prolific writer and medical doctor, Osmund Agbo; and veteran Journalist and Author, Dr Chido Onumah. Participants according to the statement, are to join the virtual zoom meeting via:…

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Steve Oko In this report, Steve Oko, digs into the plight of oil-bearing communities in Abia State and how what naturally ought to be a blessing, has cost them the serenity of their environment, aquatic life and fertility of their soil without bringing development. Historical background: In Abia State, crude oil is found mainly  in Ukwa West Local Government Area; otherwise known as Asa Kingdom. The entire Asa kingdom comprising 36 villages make up Ukwa West Local government Area (LGA). Although some communities in the neighbouring Ukwa East (Ndoki clan) are said to also have large deposits of crude oil and gas, the black gold in those…

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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  At last, the Port Harcourt refinery has commenced fuel production after several months of back and forth. This was confirmed Tuesday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. NNPC Spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement, said the loading of trucks would start around 1:45 pm. “Port Harcourt Refinery begins production. Truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” he said. He described the development as a major milestone by the NNPCL in Nigeria’s march towards energy independence. In another update on X, the NNPC said: “NNPC Ltd Delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th…

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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Bishop Augustine Echema of the Catholic Diocese of Aba,  has blamed overcrowding for the stampede at the Catholic procession on Sunday that resulted to the death of five faithful with scores of others injured. He, however, said investigation to unravel other details of the tragedy including the identities of the victims were on -going. The Bishop, in a statement titled: “A Tragic Christ the King Feast Procession,”  expressed deep sympathy for the families of the deceased and injured. He said the incident was a big tragedy to the church, regretting that innocent worshipers fell victim of the…

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Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended indefinitely the State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori. Also suspended but for 3 months are  the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health; the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency. The officials, according to the Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, were suspended for alleged misconduct and dereliction of duty. Mr Okpor stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting…

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… Speaks on insecurity  Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Prince Okey Kanu, has given reason the State Government banned unauthorised free medical outreaches, citing safety concerns. The Commissioner who gave the explanation during a press briefing in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting, said any free medical outreach in the state must be approved by the Commissioner for Health. The measure, according to him, is to forestall untoward consequences of unregulated medical outreach or programmes  “that may hurt rather than heal or help Abians.” He said: “It is now an offence to render such philanthropic healthcare…

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By Owei Lakemfa A series of video recordings of men and officers of the Nigeria Army brutalising hapless Nigerians have  in the past few weeks been making the rounds. The most disturbing, which a conscious institution should have by now made public either its interim or full report,  is that of a Major General in uniform supervising the brutality on a young couple that can be no older than his youngest children. Soldiers have become like improvised explosive devices, IEDs in our streets with citizens unconsciously stepping on them. Unlike in  Nigeria,  soldiers in many countries are respected, not feared; they…

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