Author: Editor

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The troops of Joint Task Force South-East Operation, code-named “Operation UDO KA II,” have conducted clearance operations in terrorists’ camps within Imo and Anambra states. The troops also arrested one suspected terrorist and recovered several items in their camps, which include: Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) making materials, motorcycles, stored foods and other logistics items. This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II. Unuakhalu said that the troops of…

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu Around 6 February 2005, John Githongo, Permanent Secretary in Kenya’s Presidency responsible for Governance and Ethics, resigned after only two years in the role. As Michaela Wrong narrates in her vicarious memoir of Githongo’s tenure, his resignation letter was transmitted from an anonymous grocer’s shop in London at the beginning of what turned out to be a three-year-long exile. He had fled the job “fearing he could be murdered.” When he took up the position in 2003, Githongo had arrived with energy and ideas from a senior role in global corruption watch-dog, Transparency International. Corruption, he told…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government has implored qualified people of the state to take interest and apply for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The government also frowned at the lack of interest by qualified indigenes of the state to enlist into the police force. Ikengaonline recalled that the Police Recruitment Board had announced earlier that its online portal for recruitment would be opened for application for six weeks, beginning from October 15. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aka Eze Aka, said in a statement issued in Enugu that government had noticed lack of interest…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of 9th mile, Opi-Obollo Afor-Oturkpo Expressway to ease the movement of transporters and goods from the North to the South of Nigeria. The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after an audience with the President at the Presidential Villa. He said: “the president has approved, amongst other projects, the: immediate construction of the Lafia Bypass Dualisation from Makurdi, through Oturkpo, through Oboloafor, down to 9th Mile.” Reacting on the situation, the Head of Senator Okechukwu Ezea media team, Mr Aniebo Nwamu, said the development…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nkata Afarata Ibeku Community of Abia State, which hosts a number of federal and state institutions in Umuahia metropolis, has challenged the affected institutions to discharge their corporate social responsibilities to the host community. This was contained in a communique issued by stakeholders of the community after their strategic meeting in Umuahia. The communique was jointly signed by their Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Dr Chidiebere Mbanaso; Village Head, Chief S. N. Onwuchekwa; and Chairman of Nkata Family Meeting, Hon. Uchendu Ihemeremadu. It read in part: “Aware of the prevailing circumstances of occupation of our land by…

Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it is ready for the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Imo State. The INEC National Commissioner in charge of South-East, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, stated this while speaking with newsmen after monitoring the mock accreditation exercise held in select polling units across the state. Mr Ukaegbu said the exercise was aimed at test-running the bimodal voter accreditation system to ascertain its functionality ahead of the election. He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the ease at which the eligible voters who came out…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has declared that applicants for his scholarship scheme did not need to know him personally before benefitting from the humanitarian gesture. Otti who made the explanation Saturday while speaking during the 2022-2023 Alex Otti Scholarship banquet held at the Sacramento Event Centre , Olokoro, Umuahia South, said that the gesture was borne out of his passion for the youths. The Governor who said that the scheme was not being bankrolled by Abia State Government but his personal Foundation, said it was part of his contribution for the development of humanity. He…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Chairman of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Chuks Ezewuzie, has said that Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo is committed to creating a prosperous and accessible environment for people with disabilities in the state. Ezewuzie, a lawyer, stated this when he delivered cane guards to visually impaired individuals who gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral Hall, Awka, to celebrate 2023 White Cane Awareness Day. White Cane Awareness Day is observed on October 15th, every year, to raise awareness about the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence and mobility for individuals…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Anambra State High Court 2 sitting at Ogidi, Idemili North LGA of Anambra State has struck out a defamation suit filed by Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Rev. Emeka Abone, against his elder brother’s wife, Mrs Kasie Abone. Emeka, who is an indigene of Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government Area, had dragged Kasie, a veteran journalist to the High Court since 2019 over alleged defamation, but on 25th January 2021, the matter was struck out only for it to be relisted by the same plaintiff (Rev. Abone) two years after (on February 16, 2023).  But…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka National Association of Seadogs, Onitsha Chapter, Anambra State, has canvassed for a psychiatric hospital to carter for mentally challenged persons roaming the streets of the commercial city. It also condemned victimisation of mentally challenged victims, calling on citizens and corporate organisations to join in the fight against such categories of persons. Chapter President, Engr. Emeka Uwaechia, made the call during a visit to homeless mentally challenged persons at Upper Iweka area of the town where foods and clothings were donated to about eight of the victims. He said the gesture which was in commemoration of World Mental…