NIGERIAN NOTCH

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...

Ambassador Ikebunwa Lotanna a frontline aspirant for the Nnewi Federal constituency under the ADC platform has extended warm February greetings to the people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo, and Nigerians nationwide, describing the new month as a season of love, hope, and renewed commitment to collective progress. In a goodwill message to mark the beginning of February, Amb. Lotanna expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stressing the resilience, strength, and untapped potential of its people. “February, the month of love, offers us another opportunity to reaffirm our faith in one another and in our nation,” he said. “We are stronger than we often imagine, more capable than we sometimes realize, and united in our shared desire for progress and prosperity.” Reaffirming his dedication to public service, he noted that it remains a privilege to serve the people and to champion initiatives aimed at transforming communities and improving lives. “I remain steadfast in my...

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and aspirant in the forthcoming Nnewi North Local Government Area election, Mr. Nnanna Osita Nzewi, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, announced his withdrawal from the council chairmanship race, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in Nnewi. Nzewi made the announcement at a media press conference held at Dove Resort, Nnewi, where he addressed developments surrounding the Nnewi North Local Government Area election, the issue of rotational arrangements, and rising political tensions within the one community LGA, particularly in Nnewichi. He said his decision to speak publicly was informed by his deep roots in Nnewi and Nnewichi, noting that peace, genuine brotherhood, and sincere engagement must always take precedence over personal political ambition whenever Nnewi is faced with sensitive choices, like the present one. According to him, although public discourse has largely centred on rotation of the ch...

Aspirant for the position of Mayor in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra state, on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Cornel Osigwe, has promised to replicate the giant strides of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in the council area. He gave the assurance on Friday, January 30, while fielding questions from newsmen at his Nnewichi country home. Mr. Osigwe, a frontline contender for the race, noted that Nnewi, the one-time local government area, stands at a defining moment in its history, and needs an administrator at the grassroots, who understands what it means to pool human and material resources together to achieve a defined goal. He said, "Our governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, is working relentlessly to build a prosperous, livable, and smart Anambra state. His vision is bold, transformative, and people-centered. However, for that vision to be fully realized, it must be translated to the grassroots level, where g...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr The Supreme Knight of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba Nigeria (KSM), Sir Steve Zakari Adehi, SAN, CKSM, KCSS, has called for moral renewal and institutional strengthening in Nigeria, warning that the country faces deepening ethical and social challenges. Sir Adehi made the call on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during his maiden media briefing held at the KSM National Headquarters in Onitsha, following his election as the Supreme Knight of the Catholic Order. Addressing journalists, the senior advocate said Nigeria is experiencing not only economic and political pressures but a growing moral fatigue that has weakened public confidence and lowered societal expectations. According to him, the nation’s present condition is the result of years of tolerated injustice, neglect, and the gradual withdrawal of institutions meant to protect citizens from hardship. He explained that while the Knights of Saint Mulumba have traditionally carried out their acti...

Nnewi North Local Government Area stands at a pivotal crossroads at the moment, one that demands visionary leadership anchored on integrity, competence, and people-centered governance. That moment is now, and that leadership style is embodied in Cornel Osigwe. Renowned as a strategic communicator and development-oriented professional, Cornel Osigwe represents a refreshing blend of capacity, compassion, and credibility.  His experience as former Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) and Chief Executive Officer of Freshmind Associates, reflects a career defined by innovation, excellence, and results. Beyond professional accomplishments, Cornel Osigwe is distinguished by his deep sense of humanity and unwavering commitment to service.  A God-fearing man guided by strong moral values, he exemplifies integrity, empathy, transparency, and accountability, qualities essential for responsive and responsible leadership in today’s Nigeria. H...

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fixed February 15, 2026, for its primary elections, the statement was signed by Ejimofor Opara, the National Publicity Secretary of APGA.  The party also announced the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for aspirants seeking elective positions at the local government level. According to the statement, aspirants for the position of Local Government Chairman are required to purchase a nomination form for ₦5 million, in addition to an expression of interest form priced at ₦1 million. Similarly, aspirants vying for Councillorship positions are to obtain their nomination forms at ₦500,000, while the expression of interest form costs ₦100,000. The statement said the arrangements were part of the party’s preparations to ensure a transparent and credible primary election process.

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has elected new members into its Council Selection Board, a key body responsible for overseeing the appointment of principal officers of the institution. At separate emergency meetings of the Congregation and the Academic Board held on January 27, 2026, at the Polytechnic Auditorium, Engr. Dr. Ananti John Egbunike, Mr. Chike Nwolum and Comrade Innocent Okeke were elected by the Congregation as members of the Selection Board. In the same vein, the Academic Board elected Dr. Kenneth Ezekwe and Mr. Chioma Nwankwo as its representatives on the board. Announcing the outcome of the elections, the Rector of the Polytechnic and Chairman of both the Congregation and Academic Board, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, charged the elected members to conduct themselves with utmost fairness and objectivity, stressing the need to ensure that only the most qualified candidates emerge in the selection process. She explained that the Selection Board is mandate...

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) has announced a loss of power supply affecting parts of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. In a statement issued on Tuesday, 27th January 2026 signed by Emeka Ezeh, Group Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, said the outage occurred at about 10:48 a.m. following a loss of supply from its source of power. According to the company, the development led to a widespread blackout across areas served by its subsidiary distribution companies—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra and EastLand. EEDC noted that the cause of the supply loss was yet to be ascertained but assured customers that efforts were underway to restore electricity as soon as possible. “The company is currently on standby and in active liaison with relevant stakeholders to ensure the prompt restoration of power supply across the affected areas,” the statement said. EEDC appealed to customers for patience and understanding, while apologising for a...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has upgraded the operating licences of leading financial technology firms and microfinance banks, including Opay and Moniepoint, granting them national status and authorising them to operate across the country. The regulatory upgrade follows the firms’ compliance with stipulated requirements and reflects their rapid expansion beyond regional boundaries. Beneficiaries of the approval include Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Opay, Kuda Bank, PalmPay and Paga, all of which have leveraged mobile technology and extensive agent networks to scale their services nationwide. Confirming the development in Lagos, the Director of the CBN’s Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, Mr Yemi Solaja, said the affected institutions had effectively been operating at a national level prior to the formal upgrade. “Institutions like Moniepoint MFB, Opay, Kuda Bank and others have now been upgraded. In practice, their operations are already nationwide,” ...