NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  Business leader and 2025 Anambra governorship aspirant, Valentine Ozigbo, has issued a stirring 12-point message to Ndigbo, calling for spiritual introspection, unity of purpose, and a renewed commitment to responsible leadership as the South-East and Nigeria at large navigate a defining moment in national history. In the open letter titled “A 12-Point Letter to Ndigbo”, Ozigbo described the past weeks as a period of “deep reflection and spiritual awakening,” shaped by a series of encounters that prompted him to address the Igbo nation. Ozigbo cited three recent events that moved him to speak: his visit to detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the worsening security situation across Nigeria, and his exposure to new historical insights after reading The Interesting Narrative by Olaudah Equiano. According to him, these experiences reinforced the belief that “we have entered a consequential season in our collective story.” Ozigbo stressed that his me...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  A former Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and one-time President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has emerged National President of the Ekiti Parapo College Ido-Ekiti Old Students Association (EPCOSA). The election took place during the Association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Reunion, held on Saturday, November 22, at the school hall. Announcing the results, the spokesperson of the EPCOSA Electoral Committee, Prof. Oluwatoyin Babatunde, declared Arogundade winner after he secured 275 votes to defeat his opponent, Prof. Olu Adeleye, who polled 32 votes. Arogundade takes over from another media practitioner, Mr. Dotun Adekanmbi, who served for four years and steered the Association through the successful 70th anniversary celebration of Ekiti Parapo College in 2024. The newly elected president will lead the Association for the 2025–2027 service years. In hi...

Mazi Ejimofor Opara At a time when many Nigerian states continue to struggle under rising recurrent obligations, Anambra has chosen a different path—one that deserves national attention rather than quiet acknowledgement. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s ₦757.8 billion 2026 budget, with an unprecedented 79% allocation to capital expenditure, is not simply a fiscal decision; it is the continuation of a governing philosophy that places long-term development above short-term comfort. Though officially an oil-producing state, Anambra derives little of its fiscal identity from petroleum revenue. Yet, for the third consecutive year, Soludo’s administration has sustained one of the highest capital-spending ratios in the federation. Such consistency is rare in Nigeria, where priorities often shift with political cycles. The results are beginning to take shape across multiple sectors. In education, investments in STEM laboratories, teacher recruitment, and free public schooling hav...

In a highly anticipated move, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant shift in Nigeria's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku confirmed his membership by sharing a photo of himself holding his ADC membership card on social media, captioned "It's official". The development comes after months of speculation surrounding Atiku's political future, following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July. Atiku's decision to join the ADC is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the opposition's chances in the 2027 elections.

From Uzo Ugwunze  The Management and Staff of the John Zobis Group has received a high-powered delegation from The Sun newspaper, led by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, who visited the company to formally present a notification and award nomination letter announcing Mr. John Ezeobi as winner of The Sun Industrialist of the Year Award 2025. The team explained that Ezeobi’s nomination followed weeks of rigorous deliberation by the Board of Editors, who considered his rise from a young trader to Africa’s youngest electrical cable manufacturer as an inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and measurable impact on national development. They noted that his name has become synonymous with the production of high-quality electrical cables widely regarded for their reliability in residential, industrial, and commercial use. For Ezeobi, the recognition goes beyond personal achievement, representing an affirmation of the hard work of his staff, the lo...

By Cynthia Onwudiwe  The debate over the sanctity of Nigeria’s judicial system has intensified following two closely timed rulings delivered by Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto of the Anambra State High Court, Otuocha. Against the backdrop of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent warning to judges and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to uphold integrity and resist any form of inducement, the July 24, 2025 judgment in Suit No. OT/169/2021 has drawn significant public attention. In that case, Justice Anieto held that the 1st Defendant lacked the legal authority to execute a contract because previous court decisions had invalidated the EXCO involved, asserting that the plaintiff’s case “hangs on nothing at all” due to the illegality of the foundational document, Exhibit K2. Public concern grew even stronger when, within just 24 hours, Justice Anieto delivered another decisive ruling in Suit No. OT/184/2022, prompting questions about judicial consistency. In this second matter, t...

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has strongly refuted allegations by the Imo State Government that it plans to orchestrate a massive power outage in the state to sabotage the government's Light Up Imo electricity project. In a press statement signed by Emeka Ezeh, Group Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC described the allegations as "baseless, unfounded, and completely devoid of truth." The company accused the Imo State Government of spreading propaganda to divert public attention and mask its longstanding hostility towards EEDC. EEDC cited a recent incident where armed policemen allegedly acting on the government's instructions forced the shutdown of the Transmission Company of Nigeria's Egbu Station, plunging customers into darkness. The company assured customers that it has no plans for major outages in Imo State and is committed to providing sustainable and improved electricity distribution. The Imo State Government had alleged...

Prominent national figures have called on Nigerian youths to take responsibility for shaping the country’s political future by rejecting short-term financial inducements and committing themselves to the pursuit of quality leadership. They made the call during the Strategic Youth Summit organized by the ADC 7th Zone (ADC-DN), themed “Empowering Nigerian Youths, Shaping the Future.” The virtual summit, held on 22 November 2025, brought together youth advocates, political leaders and development thinkers. Speaking during the interactive session, former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, PhD, urged young Nigerians to “take their destiny into their hands” and resist politicians who seek to buy influence through handouts. Nwajiuba recounted his experience in the last electoral cycle, noting that many youths who could have championed genuine leadership instead opted for immediate gratification. He stressed that such short-term rewards ultimately leave youn...

The youth wing of the Association of Town Unions (ASTUC) has honoured three distinguished personalities selected as Mega Star Role Models from the 179 communities of Anambra State. The honourees, Dr. Chinedu Umeadi (Anambra Central), Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife (Anambra North) and Chief Ebuka Onunkwo (Anambra South), were yesterday at old Government House Awka celebrated for their contributions to youth development, community upliftment, and social impact across the state. During the ceremony, each recipient expressed gratitude to the ASTUC Youths for deeming them worthy of the recognition. Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, while receiving his award, said he was delighted that his long-standing support for Anambra youths continues to be appreciated. He pledged to remain committed to youth empowerment and development initiatives. Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, in his remarks, thanked God for the honour, noting that he was surprised that his quiet efforts over the years had been ...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged political, traditional, and community leaders across Northern Nigeria to recommit themselves to unity, visionary leadership, and a renewed development agenda capable of addressing the region’s deepening socio-economic challenges. Atiku made the call on Friday in Kaduna while speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), where he also reflected on the organisation’s history and the evolving future of Northern Nigeria. The former Vice President commended the ACF for sustaining what he described as a “difficult but necessary” responsibility of providing leadership for the region over the past quarter century. He paid tribute to founding members and departed leaders of the forum, praising their contributions to the region’s development. Atiku noted that the ACF’s founding was rooted in efforts to mend deep divisions in the North following the 1999 elections. He recalled that upon a...