Author: Editor

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki has remanded a 24-year-old man, Nwebonyi Ubadinma, popularly known as Prophet Ubadinma, in a correctional facility over allegations of attempted murder, arson, stealing, malicious damage, and defamation of character. The suspect, notorious for allegedly dishing out fake prophecies, was accused of committing the offences in different villages across Izzi and Ikwo Local Government Areas between 2020 and 2025. According to the police, Ubadinma allegedly prophesied that an Ogun State-based businessman, Emeka Mgbore (popularly known as EmmyBest), was a ritualist. He was said to have circulated a video of the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, has charged officers to prioritize sound operational planning, continuous rehearsals, and readiness in single, joint, and multi-agency security operations. Olatoye gave the charge on Tuesday in Enugu while declaring open a four-day 82 Division Operations Planning Cadre (Training) 2025 for military, paramilitary, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officers. He stressed that assumptions must have no place in operations, noting that only deliberate and well-thought-out planning, backed by rehearsals, guarantees operational success. “The cadre is designed to refresh and deepen our knowledge of…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Dr. Caleb Ani, has called on residents of the council to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Ani made the appeal in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Sammie Agbo, on Tuesday in Enugu. He described the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as “the most powerful instrument for influencing governance and safeguarding the people’s future.” According to him, democracy begins with voter registration and collection of the PVC, which serve as both the people’s voice and their…

Our Reporter, Abuja  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 2.6 million Nigerians have registered in the first two weeks of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced this in a statement on Tuesday after the Commission’s meeting in Abuja. According to him, 2,532,062 Nigerians had completed online pre-registration as of August 31, with women slightly outnumbering men. A total of 1,313,580 (51.88%) registrants are female, while 1,218,482 (48.12%) are male. Young Nigerians dominated the exercise, with 1,602,484 (63.29%) between the ages of 18 and 34.…

By Chinedu Agu This is not an attack piece. This is a lamentation. A public mourning. Because it is shameful that Imo, once a shining light of the South-East, has now become its sick patient, limping behind as Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi match forward…” As the goalkeeper of NBA Owerri FC, I went to Enugu to represent my branch in the NBA Football Tournament where 40 branches battled for glory at the just-concluded AGC. We came 4th — a commendable feat. But beyond that, I was privileged to be awarded the Golden Glove as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. It…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government has announced plans to launch a Contributory Pension Scheme for workers in the state public service. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting. According to him, the scheme is part of ongoing public service reforms aimed at improving the welfare of workers. He described the initiative as “a clear demonstration of government’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Abia workers.” “The state government is set to formally launch its workers’ contributory pension scheme. To this effect, ten Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs)…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government has approved the mandatory wearing of traditional outfits by members of the State Executive Council every first Monday of the month. Similarly, all civil servants in the state are now required to wear traditional attire every Friday. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting. He explained that the decision was aimed at promoting locally-made traditional outfits and showcasing indigenous craftsmanship in Abia. Kanu added that the initiative was also designed to bridge cultural…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  The Labour Party’s House of Representatives candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, Dr. Emmanuel Eze, has rejected his appointment by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State into the newly constituted Economic Advisory Committee. Governor Nwifuru had named Eze as a member of the 15-man committee, chaired by Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji. Appointment The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Grace Umezurike, in a letter dated August 29, 2025, informed Dr. Eze that the State Executive Council, at its meeting of July 14, approved the constitution of the Economic Advisory…

…I have no hand in it – Lawmaker Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Survivors of a deadly clash between operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and policemen in Ebonyi State have recounted how they narrowly escaped death during the incident. The clash, which occurred last week at a mining pit in Amaeze community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, left one policeman dead and several others injured. Chukwu Ajah, one of the victims, blamed the crisis on what he described as the “overzealousness and Gestapo-style operation” of the police. According to him, the police team displayed unprofessional conduct and…

…Says judiciary bound by precedent Our Reporter, Abuja Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Ubani, has dismissed speculations over the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that judicial precedents and constitutional provisions clearly support his qualification. Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Ubani maintained that fears of political influence on the judiciary were unfounded, stressing that Nigerian courts have consistently upheld the principle that laws are to be applied prospectively unless explicitly stated otherwise. “Our judiciary still respects judicial precedent,” Ubani said. “There are several Supreme Court authorities that have laid this matter…