Author: Editor
By Nnamdi Elekwachi The landmark judgment granting full financial autonomy only to democratically elected local governments across the federation should be considered as a ‘Doctrine of Necessity,’ because the Supreme Court had to expeditiously explore grey areas, and in so doing came up with its final and conclusive interpretation. It is quite sad that governors reigned with impunity like czars, diverting funds due to the LGAs and imposing puppets thereto, leading to this judgment. When it comes to how the local governments are to be established, and by which tier of government, the constitution is not ambiguous in Section 7(1),…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Organised Labour in Abia State, Sunday, announced the postponement of its planned strike initially billed to commence Monday, July 15. Two weeks ultimatum earlier issued by the Organised labour to Government to meet its demands or face indefinite strike would elapse on Monday. But the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; and the Trade Union Congress, TUC; in a joint press conference in Umuahia on Sunday, announced a postponement of the indefinite strike by two weeks. NLC, Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya; and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Chairman, Comrade Ihechi Enogwe; in the joint press conference, explained that…
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu “The judiciary has immense power. In the nature of things, judges cannot be democratically accountable for their decisions. It therefore matters very much that their role should be regarded as legitimate by the public at large.” Jonathan Sumption, Law in a Time of Crisis, 121 (2021) For a cumulative period of 17 years between 1885 and 1905, Hardinge Giffard – who was better known as Lord Halsbury – served three tenures as Lord Chancellor. In this capacity he earned a reputation for having “appointed many undistinguished men to the Bench because of their political services to the…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki A multi million naira Palm kernel Oil Extracting Industry located at Onuebonyi axis of Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, has been gutted by fire. Also burnt were Palm kernel worth over N170 million, refined and unrefined oil as well as a Sienna bus. The Executive Director of the industry, Mr Emmanuel Alinchi, said that he noticed fire and smoke emission in the industry by 1:17am. According to him, before the arrival of the men of fire service, the entire structure had been engulfed. He appealed to the state government for intervention emphasising that all the extracting machines…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Former American President and frontline presidential candidate in the November US presidential poll, Donald Trump, narrowly escaped assassination attempt on his life during a presidential rally in Pennsylvania. The shooter who was yet to be identified was shot dead but another person was said to have been critically wounded. Trump was, however, taken to safety by security agents as the crowd scampered for safety. Trump confirmed the incident later on his social media handle, the Truth, saying bullet hit “upper part of my right ear,” and “much bleeding took place.” In the post on Truth Social, Trump…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, Saturday inaugurated its new national leadership at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, Abia State. This is as the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, who was a special guest at the event, has called for unity among Ndigbo. The inauguration of the new national executive of the ADF coincided with the 10th anniversary of the socio-cultural organisation founded by Professor Uzodinma Nwala. Nze Coleman Emeka Chukudelunzu, who emerged the new National President of ADF, was sworn into office along other members of the national executive. In…
By Azu Ishiekwene I’ve written this before. Ten years ago, but this man’s story is new every time. To me. And to many who have crossed his path. On his 80th birthday on July 14, I’m repeating this story with the zeal and delight I shared it ten years ago: If the lot had fallen on Chief Ajibola Ogunshola to be the undertaker, not many would have blamed him for the fate of PUNCH. He was 40 when he was appointed director. Though he was a star in the insurance world (former Managing Director of Niger Insurance) and one of…
By C. Don Adinuba As Bart Nnaji, founder and chairman of the Geometric Power group, Nigeria’s only integrated electricity organization, turns 68 today (Saturday, July 13, 2024), one important lesson our countrymen and women can learn from him is the imperative of matchless optimism. Even when all hope is forlorn and all available evidence points to gloom and doom, Nnaji not only expects the best but also works passionately towards delivering superior performance. At a time when top Western multinationals are leaving Nigeria in droves, Nnaji is demonstrating unparalleled patriotism: he is leading General Electric of the United States, the…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, has commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the forthcoming Local Government Council Election. The State Party Chairman, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, made the announcement during a stakeholders meeting in Owerri. According to the state party chairman, the sale of forms which would commence on Monday, next week, and run for one week, will be sold at one million naira for councilorship positions, while that of chairmanship will be sold for N3 million. Hon. Ebere, while stressing on the party’s dedication to a transparent electoral process,…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government is set to begin another round of demolition at Agu-Owa Community in Trans Ekulu area, a suburb of the Enugu metropolis. This is sequel to an evacuation letter written to the residents of the community and dated July 5th, 2024. The letter emanated from the office of the Commissioner for Housing, entitled “Notification for Housing Upgrade and the Urgent Need for Relocation of Residents at Agu-Owa Community in Trans Ekulu Enugu.” The letter directed residents of the area to submit all authentic papers relating to their ownership of the properties therein to the…