Author: Editor

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former Rivers State Governor, and Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has finally declared for the 2023 presidential contest. His declaration for the presidential race is coming after months of denials, speculations, intrigues, and behind-the-scenes consultations. Amaechi made the declaration, Friday at a thanksgiving service organised by the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Promoters of his candidacy have argued that his emergence as the President could put paid to the agitations by the South-East and the South-South zones as the former Rivers State Governor can comfortably pass for a bona-fide “indigene” of both…

By Chuks Iloegbunam Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church recently spoke through his hat while preaching a sermon. He told his congregation that, during the January 15, 1966 military action that toppled the First Republic, the soldiers that took Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa removed his turban, poured wine on his head and force-fed him with the alcohol. For abominating him, Balewa, just before he was shot, pronounced a curse on Ndigbo, to the effect that no one from the ethnic group will ever rule over Nigeria. Mr. Bakare’s story, fanciful as it sounds, is a pack…

Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka Former Presidential Adviser and Co-convener of the National Consultative Forum of Leaders of Conscience, Professor Pat Utomi, has blamed Nigeria’s backwardness on what he called “the politics of big men” played by politicians in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Utomi who stated this at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, urged Nigerians to shun both parties at the 2023 general election. According to him, the existential challenges facing the country spurred some ideas-driven leaders to begin to have meetings to restore the nation to its pride of…

Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Saturday, had 20 commissioners sworn-in to serve as members of his cabinet. The new commissioners were sworn in after screening and confirmation on Thursday by the Anambra State House of Assembly. Soludo charged the commissioners to abide by their oath of office and discharge their duties diligently. Speaking to journalists shortly after the low- key event that took place at the Government House Awka, the Commissioner for Information, Chief Paul Nwosu, promised to partner with the media to project the agenda of the Soludo-led administration. Meanwhile, the 20 commissioners and their…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has urged Corps members in the country to show commitment to their roles of advancing the unity and development of the country. The DG made the call during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ stream 11 Orientation Course. The ceremony held simultaneously across NYSC orientation camps in various states of the federation. In Ebonyi, the event was held at Afikpo Orientation Camp, located at Afikpo North Local Government Area. Represented by the Ebonyi State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Bamai Mercy, Gen. Ibrahim urged corps…

Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Anambra State has suspended the temporary shut down of all Local Government councils in the state, following recent attacks on Nnewi South and Aguata Local Government secretariats by gunmen. State President, Mr Chikwelu Adigwe, disclosed this on Friday after a meeting with representatives of the state government in Awka. Adigwe, had earlier in a statement, announced a temporary shut down of the 21 Local Government Councils in the state with effect from Friday till Wednesday April 13, 2022, citing gunmen attacks on workers and facilities in the Local Government…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia. Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has strongly condemned the high cost of nomination and expression of interest forms of different political parties, lamenting that the sad development will give room for money bags and corrupt politicians to perpetuate their dominance of the political space. The umbrella association of all political parties and political associations in the country urged political parties to issue free forms to young candidates. CNPP in a statement issued Friday by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said: “the trend has gotten to a worrisome level.” According to the CNPP, “Nigeria will be…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday blamed the inability of countries with huge natural resources like Nigeria to develop on poor governance and weak institutional structures. Osinbajo who spoke in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, also identified lack of transparency and accountability as other factors militating against national development. The Vice President spoke at the 21st Meeting of the National Council on Development Plan, NCDP. He said the theme of the meeting, “Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: Pathways to Sustainable National Development” was apt as there was need to develop the capacity of the country’s institutions to…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As political parties get set for their primaries, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed all political office holders as well as public office holders in the state nursing any political ambition in 2023, or wishing to participate as a delegate in the party primaries to resign their appointments. The directive was contained in a press statement issued on Friday by Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Chris Ezem. It read in part:”Pursuant to section 84(12) of the amended Electoral Act 2022, which has been signed by His Excellency, the President and Commander -in- Chief of the Federal…

Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years after he slapped Chris Rock at this year’s ceremony, reports metro. co.uk Announcing the news in an open letter, the Academy president, David Rubin, described Smith’s actions as “unacceptable and harmful.” He said: “The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage. “During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this,…