NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Kenechukwu Onyekwuluje AWKA  A socio-political support group, Anambra Patriots, has reiterated its commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and greater political inclusion for the South-East region in Nigeria. The group made the declaration during its maiden meeting held at its newly established secretariat in Awka, the capital of Anambra State. Speaking at the meeting, the Convener of Anambra Patriots, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, disclosed that the group currently has 326 ward coordinators and 22 zonal coordinators working across the state. According to him, members deliberated on strategies to make the South-East region more inclusive in the nation’s political structure. Ezeobi noted that the group is also focused on building a strong grassroots base that would contribute positively to governance in Anambra and beyond. He emphasized that the Patriots operate independently and are not influenced by the financial interests of politicians. ...

A Frontline House of Representatives hopeful for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, yesterday joined party leaders and stakeholders at the Hollywood Event Center, Awka, for the official flag-off of the membership mobilization, registration and revalidation exercise of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).   The significant political gathering was hosted by the Anambra State chapter of the party, with its presidential hopeful Peter Obi, who also attended as the Special Guest of Honour.   The event attracted several prominent political figures and party stakeholders from across the state. Among those in attendance were distinguished senators including Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, members of the House of Representatives such as Prof. Oby Orogbu, as well as other federal lawmakers, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, and numerous aspirants contesting under the ADC platform.   A major highlight of the eve...

The frontline House of Representatives aspirant for Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, has intensified grassroots consultations as part of his political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a strategic meeting held at his country home in Nnewichi, the aspirant hosted Ward and Local Government Executives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) drawn from Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. The meeting, which brought together party leaders from the three councils, came just days after Amb. Lotanna commissioned the Nnewichi Ward 1 party office, one of about ten ward offices in Nnewi North that he personally funded and fully furnished. The initiative is widely seen as part of his deliberate effort to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure across the federal constituency. Addressing the gathering, Amb. Lotanna explained that his continuous investments in party structures across the co...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has secured the conviction of 35 traffic offenders during a Mobile Court sitting held at its headquarters in Awka on Friday. The exercise, organised by the Corps as part of its ongoing enforcement drive, is aimed at strengthening compliance with traffic regulations and reducing road traffic crashes across the state. The Mobile Court session was presided over by Chief Magistrate Adaora N. Okoli, who heard cases involving offenders apprehended during special enforcement operations carried out by FRSC personnel within the command’s operational corridors. At the conclusion of the proceedings, 44 offenders were arraigned before the court. Out of the number, 35 were convicted, while nine were discharged and acquitted. A total of 72 traffic offences were recorded against the offenders. However, none of the convicted offenders was sentenced to imprisonment. The offences prosecuted included seatbelt viol...

By Mary Obi  More than 200 disengaged workers of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to review their dismissal following a restructuring exercise that included a competency assessment conducted in collaboration with consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The affected workers were retrenched after failing a strategic tax administration examination organised as part of reforms aimed at strengthening the efficiency and professionalism of the state’s revenue collection system. An internal memo dated February 18, 2026, issued by the Administration Department of AIRS and signed by Nwalusi Ifeanyi on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive, directed the disengagement of Community Revenue Officers and other staff who did not meet the required pass mark in the computer-based test administered during the exercise. Part of the memo instructed the affected staff to hand over all official materials, including identit...

The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has issued an electricity distribution licence to MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) after confirming that the company met all regulatory requirements to operate within Enugu State. The Chairman of EERC, Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, formally presented the licence to the Managing Director of MEDL, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, during a ceremony held at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Enugu on Friday. Speaking at the event, Okonkwo noted that the issuance of the licence followed the successful completion of all statutory and regulatory procedures required for electricity distribution within the state. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Board of Directors of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC), including Dr. Steve Dike and Barr. Kester Enwereonu. They were accompanied by the Group Managing Director of EEDC, Engr. Praveen Chorghade. Members of the management team of ...

The Anambra State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Onubogu Charles Orakwue, has called for the introduction of a mandatory Drug Integrity Test as a prerequisite for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The Commander made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, at the institution’s administrative headquarters. According to CN Orakwue, the proposal forms part of a nationwide campaign by the NDLEA aimed at curbing the growing menace of illicit drug use among young people. He explained that the initiative seeks to significantly reduce substance abuse among students and promote a healthy mental state conducive to academic excellence. Lamenting the prevalence of drug abuse among youths, the NDLEA State Commander disclosed that the agency has already visited six tertiary institutions in Anambra State to advocate the inclusion of drug integrity testing in their admission ...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has intensified its public enlightenment drive with a church advocacy programme aimed at promoting safer road practices among residents of the state. The outreach, held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Umudim, forms part of the Corps’ strategic goal to reduce road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities by at least 10 per cent through sustained community engagement and awareness campaigns. Addressing a congregation of about 1,500 worshippers, the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekauno, underscored the importance of cultivating a strong road safety culture across all segments of society. She highlighted critical issues including pedestrian safety, the mandatory use of crash helmets, the dangers of overloading and mixed loading, adherence to traffic regulations, the risks of driving against traffic, the menace of underage driving, and the severe consequences of speeding a...

The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has condemned what it described as a verbal assault on a journalist by the Governor of Abia State, Alex C. Otti, during a recent media chat. In a statement issued on Friday, the IPC-SPJ Hub, press freedom officer, Melody Akinjiyan, expressed concern over the Governor’s reaction to a question posed by Mr. Chika Nwabueze of Don Media Group during the question-and-answer segment of the interactive session. According to a viral video circulating on social media, the journalist had asked the Governor to provide verifiable data to support claims that his administration’s policies had improved the economic and living conditions of Abia residents beyond infrastructural development. Instead of addressing the substance of the question, Governor Otti reportedly responded by publicly rebuking the journalist and referring to him as “stupid.” Reacting to the incident, the Executive Director...

From Ijeoma John, Nnewi  The frontline House of Representatives candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, has strongly condemned the recent attack reportedly targeted at Peter Obi in Edo State, describing it as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic system. Speaking from Nnewi on Wednesday, Amb. Ikebunwa expressed deep concern over the incident, stressing that no Nigerian should be subjected to threats to life simply because they are contesting for political office. He emphasized that Mr. Obi, like every other qualified citizen, has the constitutional right to contest for any elective position and to move freely to any part of the country without fear or intimidation. According to him, such violent incidents undermine democracy and endanger the lives of citizens regardless of their political affiliations. He called on Nigerians of good conscience to collectively condemn the ...