Author: Editor

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Anambra State have displayed dissatisfaction and disappointment over what has become regular failure of government officials to attend their events.  Ikengaonline reports that 3rd of December is celebrated annually is the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and PWDs in Anambra, like their counterparts, had extended invitations to different government officials including the governor’s wife to participate in their long-awaited event. Over a thousand PWDs present at the event had also looked forward to the day as an opportunity for renewed hope and advocacy for their rights, inclusion and fair representation in…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Enugu branch, has decried the spate of ‘huge extortion’ by police personnel when matters get to their official units, departments, stations and command within the state. The association made this known on Tuesday during the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Enugu Branch 2024 Law Week. They were reacting after a lecture delivered by a human rights lawyer, Mr Daniel Ogbe, titled, “Commercialisation of Policing in Enugu State: Implications on Human Rights.” Ogbe said that the commercialisation of policing in Enugu State had lead to infringement on fundamental human rights of…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka  Six headteachers in various government owned primary schools in Anambra State have been suspended for collecting illegal fees and levies from parents and guardians. Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing Journalists in Awka, the state capital. Nwadinobi said the decision followed reports of sabotage of government’s efforts, including introducing payment of unauthorized fees like teaching tools, exam, novels, senthforth for retiring of teachers, among others. She listed the headteachers to include Mrs Okoye Uju of Awada Primary School, Mrs Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka of Awada Primary…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  Osita Ogbu, Professor of Economics, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has charged Nigerian Journalists to seek more knowledge so as to play the role of shaping society. Ogbu made the call on Tuesday in Enugu while delivering a lecture entitled, “Journalism in a Developing Economy: The Dignity of Professional Practice,” to mark the 2024 NUJ Press Week. “As the fourth estate of the realm, you are the flag bearers of the society; you are expected to shape the opinions of our political leaders. “But you cannot shape public opinion when you lack broader knowledge; you must…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu  People with disabilities, PWDs, have been called upon to take their destinies in their hands by defining their purpose in life. They were challenged to set their goals in life and not allow fears, setbacks or challenges to derail them from achieving that set goals and aspiration. Prof. Nnamdi Nwankwo, Rector, Enugu State Polytechnics, Iwolo, made the call on Tuesday at the Enugu State Press Centre, Enugu, during the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held every 3rd December and marked by Initiative for the Eradication of Poverty for the Disabled, IFEPED. Nwankwo who delivered a…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Abia State Government and an oil palm investor, Nimbel Shaw, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for a $120 oil deal. The MoU was signed when the Director of the company, Mr Hekeem Bello-Osagie, led a delegation of the management to Governor Alex Otti. Nimbel Shaw is an Oil Palm Company based in Nigeria but is in partnership with PHC (Plantations et Huileries du Congo), which is the largest palm plantation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The delegation visited some palm plantations in the state including the Ohambele Palm Plantation and Ulonna Farm Settlement to…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  Nigerians in the Netherlands have commended the efforts of Governor Peter Mbah to transform Enugu State into a model state particularly his penchant for infrastructural development, educational excellence and industrialisation. President, Nigerian National Association-The Netherlands (NNA-NL), Dr Evelyn Azih, made the commendation during the 30th anniversary/launching of Maru Nwanne Civic centre by Enugu State indigenes resident in the Netherlands, held over the weekend in Almere. Dr Azih, in a statement made available to Ikengaonline through the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, who was in attendance at the event, said Gov. Mbah had distinguished…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Ebonyi State Government has denied spending N1.1bn on wildlife conservation as captured in its quarterly budget implementation report. Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, gave the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki, capital of the state.  He was reacting to a report by an online medium with the title “Ebonyi Without Zoo Spends N1.1billion On Wildlife Conservation in Nine Months, Less On Health, Water Provision.” Mr Okpor described the publication as not well researched and devoid of any iota of truth.  “The writer obviously failed to carry out adequate investigations necessary to authenticate his report,” he…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has condemned the threat by the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to sack striking workers describing it as irresponsible and unhelpful. Ajaero, who stated this in a statement on Monday night, accused Mr Nwifuru of refusing to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage, an action he termed as a display of impunity towards workers in the state. Striking workers face sack – Nwifuru Ikengaonline had reported how Nwifuru had warned the state workers to resume work or risk being sacked if they failed to resume within the…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia  The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has teased lecturers in universities of Agriculture, challenging them to go beyond theoretical classroom work and engage in serious farming. Uzodimma who gave the challenge while delivering a pre-convocation lecture at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, said it was an irony for lecturers in universities of Agriculture to be buying certain produce instead of harvesting same from their farms. “How many of you here eat bananas and plantains harvested from your farm,” he queried. Uzodimma, therefore, challenged universities of Agriculture to lead in research and innovation, providing…