Author: Editor

By Obioma Okonkwo On Monday, July 8, 2024, Blueprint newspaper published an editorial titled “Akume’s riot act on official secrets,” in which it sought to justify the threat by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, that government officials who disclose information without authorization would be jailed and railed against the criticism of that threat by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) as “misleading and mischievous.” As a newspaper established and owned by the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, some would say it is inevitable and, perhaps, understandable that Blueprint newspaper would allow itself…

By Azu Ishiekwene Ten years ago, this article appeared under a different title, “The Debt I Owe.” Professor Olatunji Dare was 70 at the time. Ten years later, on Dare’s 80th birthday on July 17, I’m republishing the article with minor changes. Without this man, I might have turned out to be a literary plumber or perhaps a motor park journalist, but nothing near the second-eleven of a craft that I owe so much. I have also attached a fairly comprehensive file record of Dare in case my updated article is deficient – as I’m sure it is: I met…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu Some Legal Practitioners and analysts in Enugu State have hailed Supreme Court Ruling granting Financial Autonomy to Local Government Councils in the country. Speaking in Enugu, in reaction to the ruling on Thursday, they said it was a step towards true democracy. A legal practitioner, John Nwobodo, said that financial autonomy to the local governments was a gradual movement to the attainment of full democracy in Nigeria. “It is a right step in the right direction; if it is well implemented, it may lead to true democracy. “At least now, we know who to hold responsible if…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Tenants numbering over one hundred including students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, have escaped death following the collapse of another building in Awka, Anambra State. The building collapsed on Wednesday night barely six days after Ikengaonline reported that Anambra State Government through the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), forcefully evacuated occupants of the dilapidated building after noticing severe signs of distress with parts of the it already cracking. An eyewitness said “the building collapsed at about 10:15 pm yesterday. I was sleeping in my house close by when the thing happened. “I immediately came out and started…

Our Reporter, Abuja The Supreme Court, on Thursday, ruled unconstitutional, the withholding of the funds meant for the local governments by state governors. The apex court also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected Local Government councils in the country. In a landmark judgement on Thursday, the Supreme Court said doing so, would amount to breaching of the 1999 Constitution. Justice Emmanuel Agim in the lead judgment, noted that the state governments’ refusal of financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades. He said local governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Government has said it had embarked on an audacious education reform project. Governor Peter Mbah stated this when he inspected some dilapidated buildings at the Government Technical College (GTC) Enugu. The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah, said his administration had commenced the establishment of eight brand new Science, Technical and Vocational Schools (STVS), for Senior Secondary 1 to Senior Secondary 3 students across the eight Federal Constituencies in the state. He noted that work had already started at the premises of GTC for the construction of the first…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka ZIKORA MEDIA and Arts, a media production company, is set to commence campaign to educate the public and celebrate the rich tapestry of indigenous and local beauty and customs of Africa. A statement signed by the Company’s Management, said the campaign was deemed necessary to disrupt the increasing dominance of Western Standards promoted through pop culture and the global beauty industry. “Decolonising Beauty seeks to challenge narrow perceptions and showcase the multifaceted historic beauty traditions in Africa’s diverse cultures,” it said. The firm stated that the campaign will utilise a multi-platform approach to reach a broad audience…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, has called for a level playing ground by security agents in the state. Chairman of the 15-member caretaker committee of the party, Steve Oruruo, made the call in Abakaliki, capital of the State. He spoke when he led executives of the party on a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, at the police headquarters in the state capital. He described the police as indispensable in the advancement of democracy in the country. Oruruo urged the command to ensure adequate security in all the activities…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to further protect the freedom of the press in Nigeria. Olu Omotayo Esq, president of the network, made the appeal in a letter addressed to the president made available to Ikengaonline in Enugu. The rights group said that the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek redress in respect of a publication by the Daily Trust Newspaper on the signing of Samoa Agreement was laudable. It said that the government’s action was in line with what obtained in a democracy where the Constitutional Right of…

Agency Report  The House of Representatives has queried the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, for spending unrelated expenditures, including N45 million for a New Year party, N20 million for sanitary pads. Others include N1.5 million for vehicle fuel. Rep Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, led the interrogation of the Minister, over the non-payment of N1.5 billion to contractors in spite of the fund release in Abuja. She said that the investigative hearing was aimed at uncovering the truth and not witch-hunting the Minister and the officials of the ministry. The committee also investigated the alleged diversion…