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Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia One hoodlum was shot dead Monday when some unknown gunmen operating in three vehicles attacked Aba, the economic nerve centre of Abia State. The criminals were engaged in exchange of gunfire with military personnel at Osisioma area of Aba, where they were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the military, according to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu. Kanu who addressed newsmen in Umuahia, said the criminals escaped with bullet wounds in one of their gateway vehicles, a Lexus SUV, while abandoning their other vehicle, a highlander jeep which was recovered by security agents. He,…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Two men, Philip Avatus and Pius Dickson, have been sentenced to seven years in prison each by an Amawbia chief magistrate’s court in Anambra State for stealing iron rods worth N1.1 million. Both men, from Taraba State, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, theft, and malicious damage. Chief Magistrate Mike Anyadiegwu delivered the sentence, which will run concurrently for both offenders. They had stolen 120 pieces of 12mm iron rods used in road construction on July 24 along Amawbia-Nise Road. The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Agu, earlier, had stated that the defendants damaged, cut, and stole the rods…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has warned against planned acts of violence and breach of public peace by individuals or groups in the name of protest. The commissioner gave the warning in a statement issued on his behalf by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Monday in Enugu. The state police boss noted that the protest should be canceled considering available intelligence revealing the sinister plans of criminal elements to infiltrate and hijack the planned protest. According to him, some, hoodlums, who are planning to hijack the protest will…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Monday, directed telecommunications operators in the country, to immediately restore all phone lines blocked due to non-linkage of National Identification Numbers, NIN, to SIM cards. This was contained in a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka. There have been speculations that the blocking of phone lines of subscribers, might not be unconnected with the planned nationwide protest against hardship.
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, signed the new Minimum Wage Act into law. The President gave his assent to the Bill at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, were present during the ceremony. The National Assembly, last week passed the Executive Bill sponsored by the Presidency, as one of the measures to end strikes by the Organised Labour.
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Abia State Government, has inaugurated a 27-member Petroleum Team of the Abia State Harmonised Taskforce (ASHTF), with a vow to end crude oil theft, and pipeline vandalism. Gov. Alex Otti, while inaugurating the task-force, charged the members to go after those sabotaging the economy of government through oil bunkering. The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, also charged them to be tough on pipeline vandals and dubious petroleum marketers indulging in unwholesome practices. He charged the members of the task-force to discharge their duties without fear or…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Labour Party (LP) legislative caucus in Enugu State, on Sunday, called for immediate release of the party’s Candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency election, Mr Bright Ngene, who is currently being held at Enugu Correctional Centre. It would be recalled that Ngene was declared winner of the Enugu South Urban State Constituency election held on March 18, 2023 General Elections by INEC. However, PDP candidate challenged the victory and sought for the election to be declared inconclusive, which the Election Petition Tribunal agreed and ordered a rerun in eight polling units. In a dramatic twist,…
By Owei Lakemfa In my consciousness, humanity is defined as the trinity of fundamental human rights, democratic rights and workers’ rights. I believe that if we get these right, we would get our well-being right. This is because, embedded in the deceptively simple words of these declared rights, are the needs of humanity, the laws of nature and social justice. But since we are humans, our views on these rights can be coloured by our perception, culture, ideology, experiences, politics and well-being. For example, the West makes the wild claim that it is the birthplace of democracy. It points at the 5th Century BCE…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has commenced the construction of a Solar photovoltaic (PV) module assembling plant in Ihunekwagu community, Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The project, which is estimated to cost more than N60 billion is the first of its kind in the country. It is expected to contribute to the Federal Government’s efforts towards the transition to renewable Energy. Speaking during the foundation laying ceremony of the project, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, attributed the project to the good intentions of President Bola Tinubu for the South-East.…
…Suggest alternate way to register grievances Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia As reactions trail the planned nationwide protest against hardship, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, have expressed fears that the protest might be hijacked by unpatriotic fellows. They therefore, called for caution on the part of the organisers while urging the Federal Government to engage them on genuine dialogue. The duo who spoke in Abia after a breakfast meeting at the Governor’s house, also called on security agencies to ensure that the protesters comport themselves within the boundaries of the law. They…