Author: Editor

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Federal Government has signed a deal for the concession of the Onitsha Port with the Universal Elysium Consortium, stating that the concession will generate over N23 billion in 30 years. Universal Elysium Consortium is made up of Universal Elysium Limited (lead Investor); China National Electrical Engineering Limited (EPC contractor); Port of ANTWERP (technical partner); and China Harbor Engineering Company (Nig.) Ltd (technical partner). The concessioning process was mid-wifed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, as the concession agreement was signed at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Transportation in Abuja. A disclosure made by the Minister…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project would be unveiled at the 2022 edition of the Wole Soyinka Media Lecture Series. The Executive Director Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka, disclosed this in a statement released in preparation for the annual programme. “The Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) is a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability supported by the MacArthur Foundation. It is working through 26 partner organisations (including Africa Center for Transparency /Ikenga Media, publishers of Ikengaonline) to improve public awareness and the ecosystem for transparency, accountability and good…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Worried by the spate of senseless killings and insecurity targeted at Christians in Nigeria, some United States of America senators have called for the immediate return of Nigeria to the list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern.’ Nigeria, during the administration of ex-US President, Donald Trump, was designated a Country of Particular Concern but was removed in November 2021 under the current Joe Biden presidency. Trump’s administration had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on US special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom. But in a…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the posting of his photo on a Muslim praying mat allegedly by one of his support groups. Obi who made the condemnation in his Twitter handle expressed his displeasure over the viral photo, saying that he does not believe in ridiculing any religion. The viral photo is considered provocative among Muslim faithful and some social media commentators who have not hidden their anger over the action. Obi expressed his displeasure over the action of those who posted the…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Police in Ebonyi State has raided and sacked a camp suspected to belong to an armed separatist group in the State killing one of the gunmen during a shootout. The Command spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abakaliki, the State capital. According to him, command stormed the camp located at Oriuzor Village, on Thursday following a tip off. He said the camp is believed to be run by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN). “At about 1435hrs of 30/06/2022, the tactical teams of Ebonyi State…

Michael Onwuka, Enugu The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Friday convicted and sentenced Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi to seven years imprisonment over fraud and money laundering. Nwaoboshi is the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. Recall that the senator was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of fraud and money laundering. The senator, alongside his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd. and Suiming Electrical Ltd. were arraigned over acquisition of property named Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. The EFCC had alleged…

Michael Onwuka, Enugu The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council has raised concern over the resurgence of killings and other forms of security breaches in parts of the state. The state council of the NUJ disclosed this in a communique issued during its monthly meeting on Friday in Enugu. The communique was signed by the Secretary of the NUJ in the state, Mr Emmanuel Acha and members of the communique drafting committee, Messrs Sobenna Nwagbo, Emmanuel Nweze and Mrs Patience Ogbodo-Iwuagwu. It stated that it was sad that the state which had in recent times been adjudged as the…

Dominic King Mohamed Salah has ended months of transfer speculation and signed a new three-year contract with Liverpool, reports the Daily Mail.  It has always been Salah’s preferred wish to stay on Merseyside, where he has become an icon since joining from AS Roma in 2017. He has been one of the best buys the club has ever made and is in the all-time top 10 scorers in Liverpool’s history. Julian Ward, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, flew out with a delegation to Mykonos, where the Egyptian has been on holiday, to get the paperwork signed and the business reflects Salah’s position…

Michael Onwuka, Enugu No fewer than 45 newly registered non-oil exporters in Enugu were on Friday trained by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The Assistant Director, NEPC, Mrs Ngozi Ibe, said that the training was carried out under the Export Clinic of the council which was specially designed to build the capacities of the trainees. Ibe said that the training covered all the basics of non-oil export sector in the country, adding that the participants would be educated on export procedures, documentation, certification and other needs. “The clinic will unveil the myriads of benefits that exporters stand to enjoy…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The National Population Commission (NPC) has begun training of Enumerators’ and Supervisors’ for a Trial Census in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The training which was slated to begin on June 27, 2022, simultaneously in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria suffered a delay due to the insecurity peculiarity in the state. Speaking at Merchants of Light school, Oba, the NPC Anambra State Director, Mr. Joachim Ulasi tasked the trainees to be serious with the training because a lot of information and learning needed to be assimilated within a limited time. “This training ought to…