NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Chinwe Onuigbo, Anambra Operators in the riverine sand mining sector in Anambra State have called for clearer coordination between federal and state authorities to improve ease of doing business and sustain economic activities along the River Niger. The appeal followed a peaceful protest by members of sand miners’ and tipper drivers’ associations at the Onitsha Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Friday. The operators said the visit was aimed at seeking institutional guidance and regulatory clarity on their operations along the River Niger. Onitsha, a major commercial hub in the South-East, relies heavily on sand supply for construction and allied industries. The protesters, estimated at between 150 and 200, carried placards and official documents, explaining that they operate under licences issued by NIWA and the Federal Ministry of Mines. According to the operators, recent enforcement actions by regulatory agencies have resulted in the seiz...

The management of Federal Polytechnic Oko has announced the commencement of full operations at its Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registration Centre. In a public notice, the institution disclosed that the centre is now fully active and attending to prospective candidates seeking to register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Candidates, popularly referred to as “Jambites,” are invited to visit the Mass Communication Centre within the institution for their JAMB registration and related processing. Prospective candidates are advised to come with the required registration materials, including a valid National Identification Number (NIN), which is mandatory for all applicants. They must also have generated their JAMB profile code using their NIN prior to registration. Other requirements include an active Nigerian phone number to be used throughout the admission process, a valid and accessible email address—preferably Gmail—linked to the...

Ahead of the 2027 General Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expanded Nigeria’s political space with the registration of two additional political parties—the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced this on Thursday during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties, bringing the total number of registered political parties in the country to 21. According to him, the DLA successfully scaled the Commission’s rigorous verification process, while the NDC was registered in compliance with an order of the Federal High Court. Despite the development, Amupitan expressed serious concern over persistent leadership crises and internal disputes within political parties, warning that such instability poses a threat to constitutional democracy. “Our collective commitment to the integrity of the electoral process is being challenged by ...

From Ijeoma John, Nnewi  Many people across Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo and beyond have heard the name Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna. His name is not new on the political, academic, or social landscape. He is widely respected, deeply admired, and increasingly recognized as one of the brightest and most accomplished young leaders to emerge from our constituency in recent years. Among youths, entrepreneurs, students, and everyday people, he has become more than a popular name; he is a symbol of public trust, competence, resilience, and purposeful leadership. Fondly identified with the spirit of Good Governance and Results-Based Leadership, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna has earned his reputation not through empty promises, but through excellence, discipline, visible achievement, and consistent commitment to development. Yet, for many who hear his name echoing strongly in discussions about the future of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo, the question has been: Who exactly is Am...

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, on Tuesday marked her first anniversary in office during the institution’s monthly prayer meeting held on February 4, 2026. Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Awuzie explained that the prayer session, initially scheduled for February 3, was rescheduled to enable the Polytechnic community commemorate her one year in office during the event. In her address, the Rector expressed gratitude to God for sustaining her leadership journey, noting that meaningful progress in administration is achieved not only through experience, policies, or intellect, but through total dependence on divine guidance. She urged leaders and administrators to commit their plans to God, stressing that sustainable development is achieved when leadership is guided by clarity, stability, and excellence. Dr. Awuzie called on staff of the institution to align with both God’s will and her vision for the development of the Polytechnic, expressing...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports claiming that he hosted a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his Abuja residence. Atiku, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), clarified that his interaction with Yari, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was neither planned nor held at his home. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, Atiku confirmed that the two politicians met briefly but explained that the encounter took place at the departure lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. According to the statement, Atiku was at the airport on Monday, February 2, preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj alongside family members and associates when he coincidentally met Yari and exchanged pleasantries. Ibe said the clarification became necessary following media reports suggesting that Yari had paid a private visit to Atiku’s Abuja residence. Th...

A frontline aspirant for the Nnewi North mayoralty under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Cornel Osigwe, has pledged to declare a state of emergency on primary healthcare and primary education in Nnewi if elected Mayor. Osigwe said education and healthcare form the foundation of any progressive society, warning that neglecting primary schools and community health centres amounts to mortgaging the future of the people. Speaking while outlining his policy priorities, the aspirant described the condition of many primary schools in Nnewi as unacceptable, despite efforts by the Anambra State Government to recruit qualified teachers. While commending Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for employing competent teachers, Osigwe noted that quality teaching cannot thrive in dilapidated learning environments marked by leaking roofs, cracked walls, overcrowded classrooms and lack of basic learning facilities. According to him, his administration would declare a state of eme...

Participants at the Conference on Generation of Wealth from Waste: Briquette as Energy Source for Domestic and Industrial Uses have received certificates of participation from the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. The beneficiaries, who are staff of the institution, took part in the conference organised on December 9, 2025, by the Renewable Energy Research and Departmental Centre of the polytechnic. The event was aimed at creating awareness on the use of briquettes as a sustainable alternative energy source to conventional fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to environmental pollution through carbon dioxide emissions. Briquettes, the organisers noted, that the programme also offered them a practical solution to deforestation by reducing dependence on firewood and other traditional energy sources, thereby promoting a cleaner and healthier environment. The participants were led to the Rector’s office for the presentation of certificates...

Youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on the people of South-East to shut the Monday sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.  It could be recalled that as part of the raging controversy involving Onitsha Main Market traders and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful said there will be a sit-at-home across the South-East tomorrow, Monday, February 2.  However, Ohanaeze youths in a statement issued on Sunday by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged all the residents of South-East to go about the lawful businesses.  Okwu, who described the sit-at-home directive as self-serving, noted that Ndigbo would no longer be drawn into non-profitable ventures.  He recalled that IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had on several occasions warned against any form of sit-at-home in the South-East.  “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu spoke clearly that he wa...

The Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) has endorsed the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Okafor, for a second term in office, while also donating the sum of ₦2 million in support of his re-election bid. The endorsement was announced on Saturday, January 30, during the association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Awka South Local Government Secretariat. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of TOAN, Hon. Prince Collins Ozojiofor, said the gathering was convened not only to deliberate on issues affecting the welfare of members and challenges with enforcement agencies, but also to formally endorse the council chairman for a second term. According to him, the association resolved to support Okafor after reviewing his administration’s policies and programmes, particularly his interventions in favour of tricycle operators across the local government area. “We, the tricycle operators, having seen the level of support from the Mayo...