Author: Editor
Solicits cooperation of monarchs to end insecurity Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigeria Army, Major Gen. Hassan Taiwo Dada, has decried the disturbing insecurity in the South-East, saying the strange development is un-Igbo. The GOC who was addressing traditional rulers in Ohafia Local Government said Ndigbo were never known for bloodshed. He expressed astonishment how the South-East zone hitherto known for peace and hospitality suddenly turned into an epicenter of insecurity. Maj. Gen. Dada who said he had served at Awkunanaw barracks, Enugu about 15 years ago, regretted that the good impression he had about Igboland…
By Owei Lakemfa The new military rulers in Niger Republic, the country which marked independence day on Thursday, August 3, 2023 have a Sunday ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS. It is that they give up power and restore elected President Mohammed Bazoum to power or face serious measures, including possible invasion. ECOWAS also imposed sanctions, including border closures, a no-fly zone and the freezing of Nigerien assets. The options seem to be that if former Presidential Guard head, General Abdourahamane Tchiani and his boys do not give up power by that day, ECOWAS would either…
By Azu Ishiekwene Not only are military coups becoming frighteningly frequent in West and Central Africa, virtually all of them, it appears, also speak French. For the fifth time in three years in West Africa, soldiers struck again in Niger, Nigeria’s northern neighbour, where former President Muhammadu Buhari had teasingly longed for refuge from Nigeria’s hostile press. With the recent turn of events, however, it appears that Buhari’s speed train to Maradi, Niger’s ancient city, may have to find another destination. It’s the fifth successful military coup in that country since 1960. Apart from the worn-out reasons of “deteriorating security…
By Osita Chidoka In 2014, a few weeks after joining the Federal Executive Council, I asked a question in the course of a debate about some buildings for renovation. My question was who is in charge of elevator regulation in Nigeria? Who ensures that the elevators imported meet specifications and that periodic maintenance is enforced? I sensed the irritation of most members at my ‘irrelevant’ question and nobody provided an answer as we moved to other topics. Last week, Vwaere Diaso, a medical intern tragically died in an elevator accident at the Doctors residence of the General Hospital Idan Lagos…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu A truck driver, who was said to be traveling to Awka, Anambra State, from Taraba State to was on Thursday morning stabbed to death by alleged revenue collectors at Ugwuoba in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Ikengaonline learned that the driver was stabbed to death by one of the tax collectors on the road after some arguments over payment of revenue. It was reported that the tax collector immediately fled the scene after learning that the truck driver was dead. A source, who witnessed the incident said that other truck drivers blocked the Enugu-Onitsha expressway…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has suspended the activities of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) with immediate effect. This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia. He said the suspension was to allow for a detailed review of the activities of the Authority, its processes, and transparency of its operations. Onyia said while the suspension subsists only operations directly authorised by His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State will be treated to ensure the state attends to the needs of the public that cannot wait…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Anambra-based journalist, Karen James, has demanded justice for over 600 pupils of Blessed Wisdom Model School, Housing Estate GRA Onitsha, in Anambra State. Anambra State Government, through the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, had announced the immediate closure of the Onitsha-based school, following a report that a two-year-old pupil, Ifechukwu Egbuninwe, sustained grievous bodily harm, following a flogging incident in the school. Since the school’s closure, James, an investigative journalist, had written series of petitions to the governor claiming that the closure was done without due diligence. She regretted that no fewer than 600 innocent children…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Mr Okey Kanu, has hinted that the State Government might issue bonds to raise funds to wipe off the backlog of pension arrears in the state. The Commissioner who disclosed this Wednesday at a press briefing in Umuahia, explained that Gov. Alex Otti was fully committed to his promise to pay salary of workers on or before the 28th day of every month. He restated the readiness of the State Government to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, declaring that the era of salary arrears was over. Kanu said that…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Renowned African American computer wizard and the Chairman/CEO of Defense Manufacturing, Dr Emmitt McHenry, has finally reconnected with his Igbo ancestry. Similarly, General William E. (Kip) Ward (retd.) who was the first Commander of the U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany in 2007, has also traced his origin to Igbo. McHenry who developed the ‘.com code’ for internet e-mails, traced his link to the Igbo race and got inducted into the Igbo family. The induction ceremony which took place at the Smithsonian Institute of African Museum in Washington DC, USA, was presided over by the President General…
Our Reporter, New York Distinguished James Currey Fellow and investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, has revealed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC plan to compromise the judiciary to influence the decision of the members of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, in the ongoing litigations instituted by the opposition candidates. The editor-in-chief of the West Africa Weekly, who spoke with Rudolf Okonkwo during an interview on 90Minutes Africa, said that the ruling party did not make any effort to present a serious defense against the petition filed by the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, challenging the eligibility of Bola Ahmed…