Author: Editor
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu In April 2020, then governor of Kano State in north-west Nigeria, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, took time off his expensive preoccupation with denying the ravages of the Corona Virus on his state to preside over the “conversion” to Islam of two adolescent females. Governor Ganduje, who later became the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was not famous for his learning or piety. Instead, he was infamous for having been caught on camera stuffing what appeared to be wads of foreign currency into the capacious pockets of his traditional gowns. Instead of making an effort…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Anambra State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cult members allegedly being groomed to disrupt the forthcoming governorship election in the state. According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS), Enugu-Ukwu, in collaboration with the Agunechemba Vigilante Operatives. They were reportedly caught during an initiation ceremony in a bush at Obinagu, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, on October 26, 2025. Ikenga said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, identified as members of the Black Axe Confraternity, were undergoing initiation as part of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia In a renewed effort to eradicate polio, the Abia State Government has launched a targeted vaccination drive in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ABSPHCDA), Dr. Kalu U. Kalu, disclosed this in his address during the World Polio Day celebration in Umuahia. He listed the benefiting LGAs as Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South. According to him, the exercise aims to ensure that all children under five years receive essential antigens, including the polio vaccine. “Our dedicated team of healthcare…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Secretary-General of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Coal City 2026 National Sports Festival (NSF), Olumide Bamiduro, has expressed satisfaction with the facilities being put in place by the Enugu State Government ahead of the games. Bamiduro stated this after a two-day facility inspection tour conducted jointly by the LOC and the National Sports Commission (NSC). He said both bodies were impressed with the level of preparedness and the quality of facilities, including athletes’ hostels, training camps, and other sporting infrastructure for the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City 2026 Games.”…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 8 governorship election and Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was conspicuously absent from a debate for governorship contestants in the state. The debate, held in Awka on Friday, was organised by the Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development in collaboration with Active Citizens Media. Also absent were the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu; Labour Party candidate, George Muoghalu; and John Chuma Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Others who did not attend included Japhet Nweke of the Action…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has flagged off the reconstruction of a 25-kilometre section of the long-abandoned 51-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene federal road, assuring that the project will be completed within 18 months. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Umuahia Timber Market, Governor Otti described the project as the end of a decades-long nightmare for motorists and communities along the route. He said the project underscored his administration’s resolve to reverse years of infrastructural decay in the state. According to him, his administration does not recognize any “doctrine of dichotomy” in road construction, stressing that…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anambra State, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to supporting all arms and groups that contribute to its growth and the salvation of souls. Bishop Ezeokafor gave the assurance during a press briefing ahead of the first anniversary, admission, and investiture of new members of the Catholic Order, Knights of St. Michael the Archangel (CKSMA). He emphasized that the Church comprises various charisms working together for its spiritual and structural edification, urging members to identify with groups that promote their faith and spiritual growth. According to him, the…
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa has led civil society organizations in Anambra State on an awareness rally aimed at encouraging citizen participation in the forthcoming governorship election and discouraging vote-buying. The rally, which kicked off at Okpuno Junction along the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway, moved through Regina Caeli Road, Zik Avenue, and other major streets in Awka. Participants wore advocacy vests and carried placards and banners with inscriptions such as “Protect Your Mandate” and “Don’t Sell Your Vote.” They also distributed flyers to motorists and pedestrians, promoting active voter participation and discouraging electoral malpractice. Addressing…
By Owei Lakemfa In vain President Donald Trump cried out that he is no king, and does not intend to be one. However, many United States, US, citizens did not appear to be listening. At least some seven million of them did not believe him as they cramped into over 25,000 protest centres across 50 states protesting his alleged attempt to turn the country into an empire with him as emperor. As I went through the streets of New York on Saturday, October 18, 2025, there were people carrying placards returning from various rallies in the city. Some of the…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has condemned the demolition of Igbo-owned properties in Lagos by agents of the Lagos State Government, describing the action as “unprovoked, discriminatory, and economically reckless.” Addressing a world press conference on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State capital, ASITU National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, said the union had petitioned the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice over the “targeted demolitions.” Diwe said the decision to approach international bodies followed the failure of Nigerian institutions to address the group’s…