Author: Editor
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja has fixed hearing for May 19, 2023 in a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) seeking to compel the Federal Government to properly investigate the unresolved killings of 11 journalists killed over a period of two decades under circumstances relating to the discharge of their professional duties as well as to identify and prosecute their killers. The journalists were killed between 1998 and 2019 but no one was ever charged or prosecuted for any of the killings, even in those cases where more than 20 years had lapsed since they…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu In October 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the takeover of the construction work on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway by MTN Nigeria at N202.8 billion, under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) scheme. According to the Minister for Works, he said the telecoms giant would complete the dualisation of the 110-kilometre road that had been in very deplorable condition. The expressway constructed way back in the 80’s under the Government of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) has defied all attempts by previous administrations to reconstruct. The present outgoing administration of Muhammadu Buhari saw that the only way…
Tells Ikpeazu to use funds for LG poll to clear salary arrears Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has demanded investigation into the alleged mass looting of Government property going on in Abia State. The pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group in a statement issued Tuesday by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, expressed concern over the apparent silence of the State Government over such grievous allegation. “FENRAD is worried that allegation of looting of public properties in public institutions days to go in the life of the current administration is making the rounds. “Allegations…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The White House has stated that no American citizen was killed during an attack on US embassy staff in Anambra State on Tuesday. Reports said there was an attack in Anambra State late Tuesday that claimed the lives of four staff members from the US Embassy in Nigeria. The victims were shot dead during an ambush in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities of Ogbaru Local Government Area. Addressing a press briefing, national security council Spokesperson, John Kirby, said no US citizen was harmed. “I just got informed about a whole lot before coming out here to talk to…
Our Reporter, Abuja The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has called the Nigerian President Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, promising his commitment to further strengthening the US-Nigeria relations under the Tinubu presidency. According Mathew Miller, the US department of state spokesperson, Blinken Tuesday had a chat with Tinubu who is reported to be in France. The two leaders were said to have “discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.” Miller’s statement read in full: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian…
Ben ezechime, Enugu The Federal Government, on Tuesday, inaugurated 254 housing units in New GRA Trans-Ekulu within Enugu metropolis and handed over keys of the houses to beneficiaries. The housing units, which were undertaken through the Cooperative Housing Development Loan (CHDL) window of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), were financed by FMBN and developed by I-Connect Investment Limited. Inaugurating the housing units, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi appreciated the Federal Government for ensuring that Enugu State was one of the beneficiaries of its countrywide projects of mass and affordable houses for Nigerians. Ugwuanyi, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Afro-beat singer, Seun Kuti, was Monday, remanded by a Magistrate Court in Sabo, Yaba District of Lagos State, for alleged assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge over the weekend. A viral video of the assault has been circulating in the social media with many condemning the attitude of the musician. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, held that Kuti should be remanded for 48 hours in police custody. However, the court held that Kuti could be granted bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, at the end of…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Inauguration Committee of the Abia Governor-Elect, Dr Alex Otti, has embarked on massive face-lift of the venues for his inauguration on May 29. The venues – Umuahia Township Stadium; and the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, according to the Committee, are now wearing new look. Venue Sub-Committee headed by Hon Austin Okezie Meregini, Umuahia East state constituency member-elect, said on Monday that “extensive renovation works are currently on-going at the Umuahia Township Stadium and the International Conference Centre, at the expense of the Governor- Elect, Dr. Otti and his transition team.” “Work is seriously progressing at the…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Police in Ebonyi on Tuesday, said they arrested four suspects over the murder of a Monarch in the state. They also said another four other suspects were arrested for armed robbery and cultism in the state. Spokesperson of the Command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya stated this in a statement on Tuesday. She said that the murder suspects were involved in the killing of a 76-year-old Traditional Ruler, Mr Christopher Ewa, of Umuezeokaha community, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state. The monarch was killed at his palace on Feb. 27. Onovwakpoyeya said that at about about 20:45 hrs on Feb.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has warned the incoming Labour Party-led administration in Abia State not to allow “oppressors of the state” to hijack the leadership of the eight State Assembly. The warning is coming on the heels of the intense lobbying and horse-trading over the speakership of the eight Assembly. Labour Party which won the March 18 governorship poll won 10 out of the 24-member Assembly while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, won 12 seats. COSEYL argued that being a ranking lawmaker should not be the only criterion to determine who becomes the Speaker…