NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Echezona Okafor NNEWI, ANAMBRA  A long-running inheritance dispute within the Ojukwu family of Mbanagu, Otolo in Nnewi has escalated into violence, following the killing of a key witness and rising allegations of intimidation, conflicting testimonies, and institutional lapses. Mr. Joseph Nnadozie Ojukwu, a Kano-based businessman, has raised alarm over threats to his life after the fatal shooting of Mr. Aaron Ojukwu on February 8, 2026. The deceased was reportedly killed shortly after testifying in an ongoing court case over disputed family land. The dispute centers on a controversial will allegedly left behind by the late family patriarch, who died in 2001. The document is said to have allocated a larger share of landed assets to his second wife, an action now being challenged in court by Joseph and other aggrieved family members. However, fresh details have introduced contradictions into the matter. Records indicate that in 2006, when the family was sued by their br...

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe Awka No fewer, than 3,185 undergraduate students and 803 postgraduate students would be graduating during the convocation ceremony, a development attributed to increased enrollment, improved academic standards, and renewed confidence in the institution, which when compared with what the narrative used to be in the past. The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, stated this on Tuesday, 21st April, 2026 while addressing journalists at the university ahead of its 16th convocation ceremony, where she also highlighted some present and future-focused reforms aimed at expanding access, quality, and global competitiveness of the state-owned University. She has equally disclosed that an ambitious vision is put in place to position the institution among Nigeria’s top 10 public universities and within the top 1000 globally before 2027, even as she announced the push towards the introduction of Open and Dista...

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the protracted leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following arguments from all parties involved. A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed a date for judgment to be communicated after hearing the appeal marked SC/CV/180/2026, filed by former Senate President, David Mark. Mark, who leads a faction of the party reportedly backed by key opposition figures, is challenging the March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which he argued was delivered in excess of jurisdiction and against the interest of justice. At the heart of the dispute is an earlier suit instituted by aggrieved party members led by Nafiu Bala Gombe. The appellate court had ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, a directive Mark insists was wrongly issued in a matter he described as internal party affairs. Through his counsel, Mr. Jubril Okutepa, SAN, Mark maintained that dis...

Expectations are high for a more efficient service delivery and productivity at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka as the University Librarian and six directors appointed into offices by the Governing Council on Friday, April 17, 2026, officially assumed duties on Monday, April 20, 2026. At the University Librarian’s Office, an official handover ceremony marked the transition of leadership in the institution’s library system. The newly appointed University Librarian, Prof. Jacinta Ukamaka Eze, formally assumed office from the Acting Librarian, Prof. Onwudinjo. In her remarks, Prof. Eze expressed gratitude to the Governing Council, University Management, staff, and students for the opportunity to serve. She urged library staff to uphold professionalism, good conduct, and teamwork to enhance service delivery. She further noted that she would carefully review and sign the handover documents upon satisfactory clearance. Earlier, Prof. Onwudinjo assured her successor of continued s...

From Kenechukwu Onyekwuluje  ‎ ‎Survey experts have called on members of the Young Surveyors Network (YSN) to embrace digital technology and innovation in their professional practice to remain relevant in an evolving global landscape. ‎The call was made during the 4th Southeast Camping of the YSN, Southeast Zone, held from April 16 to 18 at the Surveyor’s House, Amawbia, Anambra State. The event, themed “Beyond Coordinates: Technology, Relevance and the Future of Surveying – Smart Surveyors for a Smarter World: Innovation, Precision and Impact,” brought together participants from Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu states. ‎ ‎Declaring the event open, the Zonal Chairman of YSN Southeast, Surveyor Ukanwa Samuel Ogwo (MNIS), described the theme as both timely and action-driven. He noted that while surveying has traditionally focused on coordinates, boundaries, and measurements, the profession is now being reshaped by emerging technologies. ‎ ‎“We are in an era where artificial i...

From Mary Obi, Anambra  Anambra Patriots (APS), a grassroots political support group aligned with Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has endorsed candidates for the Anambra State House of Assembly and announced plans to intensify mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming elections in the state. The group said it aims to strengthen its political influence across the 326 wards of Anambra State and increase the number of its supported candidates in the next State Assembly, as part of efforts to promote governance continuity and accountability. The endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Awka South Local Government Area, where members unanimously selected Engr. Obiora Okafor for Awka South State Constituency I and Pharmacist Onyedikachukwu Egbutu for Awka South State Constituency II (Obizi). The decision followed motions moved by Hon. Charles Nwafor and Chief Boniface Egbutu, and seconded by Mrs Ebere Nwasike and Comrade Chinyere, with members expressing support for ...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr Aloysius Emeka Attah has been appointed as the new Public Relations Officer of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), a move widely seen as a strategic step toward strengthening the institution’s public image, media engagement, and stakeholder relations. Attah, a seasoned public relations practitioner, journalist, and civil society advocate, brings nearly two decades of experience in media, strategic communication, and public affairs to the role. Until his appointment, he served as Chief Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, covering the five South-East states. University authorities say his appointment is expected to reposition the institution’s communication architecture, deepen engagement with stakeholders, and project its activities more effectively on both national and global platforms. As varsity spokesman, Attah will lead efforts in media relations, public communication, and narrative development, translating the university’s policies, programmes, and ...

In every political season, the people are faced with one important question of who truly understands the struggles of the grassroots, and who has paid the price of service before seeking power? For the people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, that question has a clear and convincing answer, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna is the person. He is a man whose political journey has not just been about ambition, but about years of sacrifice, loyalty, and genuine service to both leaders and the people. Long before stepping into the spotlight as a frontline aspirant, Lotanna had already built a strong reputation as a dependable grassroots mobilizer and political servant. His political experience cuts across major campaigns and influential figures in Anambra State. He served as Special Assistant on Grassroots Mobilization to Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. During this time, Lotanna played a key role in building and sustaining the structures that delivered electoral victorie...

.....Commends Philanthropist, Anticipates Second Phase of Intervention Frontline aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Ambassador Lotanna Ikebunwa, has commended businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ifeanyi Ekwulugwo, for approving a ₦250 million grant to support youth-owned businesses in Nnewi, Anambra State. Ikebunwa gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Ekwulugwo at his country home in Okpuno, Otolo Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area, noting that the intervention comes at a critical time when many young entrepreneurs are grappling with limited access to capital. He described the initiative, executed through the Iycon Charity Foundation, as a strategic investment that will boost small and medium-scale enterprises, stimulate local commerce, and create wider economic opportunities for beneficiaries. According to him, empowering youths to remain committed to their businesses align...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has rescued an unidentified male adult found unconscious along the Awka–Enugu Expressway and has launched an appeal to the public to assist in identifying him. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 8, 2026, when FRSC operatives discovered the victim in distress by the roadside opposite the Corps’ office along the busy expressway. According to the Command, the rescue team arrived at the scene within minutes and evacuated the victim promptly. Despite showing no visible signs of injury, the man was reportedly unconscious at the time of rescue. He was immediately conveyed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention. Authorities said the circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear, as no eyewitness account was available. A follow-up visit by FRSC officials to the hospital on April 13 revealed that while other crash victims earlier admitted had...