Author: Editor

By Azu Ishiekwene It’s hard to imagine that it’s nearly eight years since. This time in 2015, I was over the moon with the prospects of a general election that was certain to end the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which had lost its way. Folks were so excited at the prospects of change that in the South-West, a Yoruba version of “February” the month of the general election, was improvised: “Fe-Buhari;” meaning, “Love Buhari,” thus investing him with the aura of Cupid, the Greek god of erotic love. That’s how over the moon we were. Not without a reason. Boko…

By Zainab Suleiman Okino No one can discountenance the disenchantment in the land. It is written all over the place; on our countenance; on our body language; in our action, or inaction. By this time, almost eight years ago, there was excitement in the air; the joy of a new dawn, a new government and a new direction in the certainty of a Buhari presidency. That government is on its way out; and instead of celebrating accomplishments hoped for, we are singing a dirge.  Misery and desolation. Such is the case of the man I encountered last Friday somewhere around…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has threatened to retaliate any attack against Ndigbo living in any part of Nigeria by their host as a result of their choices of candidates in the forthcoming polls. This is coming less than a week after the Baale of Igbara in Etiosa Local Government Area of Lagos State, threatened to deal with any Igbo in the area that failed to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. IPOB which gave the warning in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said any attempt to victimise the Igbo in any part…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Some residents of Enugu have expressed mixed reactions over the address by President  Muhammadu Buhari especially his directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release N200 notes into circulation until  the next 60 days. A cross section of the residents in separate interviews with Ikengaonline applauded the decision of Mr President and described a step in the right direction. The residents, however, task the CBN on the need for proper and quick release of the new and old notes to douse tension across Enugu State and Nigeria at large. Barrister, Olu Omotayo, a member of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO)…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the naira re-design policy of the Central Bank would help curb the influence of money on elections. Buhari who stated this in his address to the nation Thursday morning, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the CBN over the policy. “I wish to once more appeal for your understanding till we overcome this difficult transient phase within the shortest possible time.” He urged Nigerians to vote candidates of their choice at the forthcoming polls without fear of intimidation. “Fellow citizens, on the 25th of February, 2023 the nation would be…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the continuous use of the old N200 notes along side the new currencies until April 10. This, according to the President who addressed the nation Thursday morning, is to ease the difficulties associated with the re-designed currency which is yet to circulate well. The President also gave reasons for supporting the Naira re-design policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, saying it is aimed at strengthening the economy. “To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia President Muhammadu Buhari, in his nationwide address Thursday morning, approved the continuous use of the old N200 note as legal tender until April 10, 2023. Below is the full text of his address: “My Dear Compatriots, I have found it necessary to address you today, on the state of the nation and to render account on the efforts of our administration to sustain and strengthen our economy, enhance the fight against corruption and sustain our gains in the fight against terrorism and insecurity which has, undoubtedly, been impacted by several internal and external factors. 2. Particularly, I…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki Ebonyi State Government has described the ruling on the disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit by the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki as a miscarriage of justice and the law. The court had in a judgment delivered by Justice Fatun Riman ordered the disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit and declared the outfit, which was established by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly as illegal and unconstitutional. The Judge further called on Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services to disarm Ebubeagu Operatives of all their guns and ammunition in the State. The Government at a joint…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka No fewer than forty-five officers from the Anambra State Command of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, have been promoted to new ranks. The forty-five officers, who received insignia of their new ranks at the Anambra State Sector Command Headquarters of FRSC, Awka, were among the overall seventy-five that were promoted under the Anambra Command. Among the newly promoted officers were six Assistant Corps Commanders who were promoted to Deputy Corps Commanders; one officer from the rank of Chief Route Commander to Assistant Corps Commander; eleven officers from the rank of Superintendent Route Commanders to Chief Route Commanders; twenty-two Route Commanders to…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii has promised to end the lingering communal and boundary clashes ravaging Ohaukwu Local Government Area. He stated this during the local government rally of the PDP on Wednesday. Ohaukwu LG in the state has long been ravaged by the boundary dispute between the Mgbo community and their neighbouring Agila community in Benue State. Also, in 2021, an intra-communal crisis between the Ezza Effium and Effium people in Effium community sprang up. Both clashes have led to loss of countless lives and property worth millions…