Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia National Assembly members of South-East extraction, have warned that the 1967 genocidal attack against the Igbo which led to the civil war mustnot be repeated. They were responding to the genocidal #Igbo Must Go threat circulating on social media. In a statement jointly signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Leader of the South-East Senate Caucus of the National Assembly; and his counterpart at the House of Representatives, Hon Igariwey Iduma Enwo, the NASS caucus, warned that no harm should befall the Igbo in the West. Below is a full text of the statement: “The attention of the South-East Caucus of…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has raised the alarm that some persons are being paid to blackmail him into conforming to some “nefarious agendas.” Obi said certain individuals have gone as far as paying to orchestrate a blackmail campaign against him. According to him, such blackmails have involved twisting his old videos to conform to their agenda. Nigerians, particularly youths in different parts of the country, Thursday, began a nationwide protest against the rising cost of living. The protests took place in different parts of the country including Abuja and Lagos. A video allegedly…
By Owei Lakemfa Heart surgeon, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn-in as President of Iran on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. His primary concern seemed to be about lifting the unilateral sanctions the United States, US, had imposed on his country. Reviving the economy is fundamental for the citizenry and the sure way of winning their hearts. However, he would have been forced to have a change of heart within 24 hours. The first major challenge he is faced with now is how to react to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The latter had accepted Iran’s invitation to attend his swearing-in…
By Azu Ishiekwene We met last on April 21. I went to Asaba from Lagos to promote my new book, Writing for Media and Monetising It, at Delta State University, which, according to JAMB statistics, is one of the country’s highest subscribers to Mass Communications in 2021. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was on the flight to Asaba that morning. I didn’t see him until we entered the arrival hall. He seemed to have added some weight for a man his height. I teased him about his robustly prosperous looks. He replied that journalists like me tend not to add weight because we’re…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, has advised Ndigbo to shun the on-going nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance, saying they should allow Nigeria to carry her cross. IPOB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said those who shouted ‘Emilokan’ (it’s my turn) during the 2023 presidential election, should be allowed to enjoy the fruit of their choice. The Biafra group further argued that Ndigbo and their business interests would be the target of any nationwide protest, hence the need to steer clear from the protest. IPOB said nothing good…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Despite the nationwide protest that started on Thursday, Igbo traders and youths in Anambra state have ignored the call, focusing instead on their businesses and daily activities. In towns like Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha, markets, stores, and artisan shops were open for business as usual, with commercial buses and tricycles seen as early as 6:30 am ferrying traders to their respective locations. Ndigbo had on several occasions made clear their opposition to the planned protests that started today. Speaking on behalf of the Igbo community, the United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC, Worldwide, emphasised their opposition to the…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Residents of Enugu metropolis on Thursday displayed mixed feelings over the planned nationwide protest. While some of the residents stayed indoors over fear of the unknown, some others carried out their daily activities with trepidation. Ikengaonline reports that businesses in the area are operating normally with vehicles plying the roads and people going about in the streets. However, there are security presence at some points perhaps to check some unruly behaviors and to maintain law and other. Some residents said that, though there is hardship in the country, they did not know if the organisers were genuine.…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance commenced August 1st in major cities across Nigeria, the National Chairman, Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, Archbishop Professor Princewilll Ariwodor, has warned against any attempt to arrest former Governor of Anambra State, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, over his critisms against the anti-people policies of the current administration. Archbishop Ariwodor who spoke Thursday in Umuahia, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to honourablly resign if he had run out of ideas to pull Nigeria out of the woods. The cleric who decried…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri Residents of Imo State today failed to turn out for the national protest against hardship and bad governance across the states in the country. The freedom square which was the scheduled venue for the start of the protest was empty with no single person. The streets and usually busy roads of the state capital were also deserted with insignificant vehicular and human movement. Banks, markets, shops and business premises were also under lock and key as no one was seen doing business along the streets or stalls in the state capital. The failed protest in the state…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka A one-day workshop for media professionals and civil society groups has ended with a call for all hands to be on deck in ensuring the eradication of tuberculosis in Anambra State. The call was deemed necessary following reported increase in the number of citizens falling casualties owing to the spread of the dreaded disease in the society. At the capacity building workshop, the civil society actors and the media including on-air personalities, print and bloggers were all tasked with contributing their quota in educating and enlightening the public towards the eradication of the TB menace in the society.…