NIGERIAN NOTCH

The anticipated hike in telecom service prices may push the floor costs of calls, SMS, and data up by between 30 and 60 per cent. If 60 per cent is adopted, the average cost of phone calls will increase from N11 to N18.33 per minute, SMS charges will rise from N4 to N6.67, and the price of a 1GB bundle will increase from N1,000 to at least N1,667. Tijani highlighted that increasing costs by 100 per cent will be harmful to citizens who are dependent on telecom services. “This sector is responsible for driving growth in our country, it will be harmful to our people to allow the MNOs to increase by 100 per cent,” said Tijani. This announcement follows a decade-long agitation for tariff hikes by telcos, who say they have faced a harsh operating environment that has spiked their operating cost by 300 percent over the years. Record losses since 2023 after a significant devaluation of the naira have further compounded telcos’ woes, increasing their requests for tariff hikes. In De...

The remains of Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State, has been burried amid tears from priests, family members and well-wishers. Fr. Okonkwo, who was murdered by gunmen in Ihiala area of the state, on December 26, 2024, was buried on Thursday, January 16, 2025 after a requiem Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi.  The Holy Mass, attended by hundreds of priests and Rev. Sisters from different religious congregations, family members, friends and well-wishers, was presided over by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, His Lordship, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, and concelebrated by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas-Benson Okoye, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Portharcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke. In his homily, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Monsignor Anichebe Patrick Ezeobata, noted that Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who he said, died at the prime of his youth, had already carved out an impressi...

Seeing Governor Soludo deck out yesterday in his green Akwete top and white trousers, adorning it with his traditional red cap of royalty sparkling with coral beads of the blistering Eagle, and his made in Ogbunike footwear swelled my eyes to the possibilities that abound when Leaders mirror material and non-material elements of autochthonous ways. Soludo typifies Nigeria!  No society develops away from their cultural foundations. Even technology itself is an adaptation of people’s way of life. As a model Economist, Soludo knows this fact and is intentionally mainstreaming some of the things we take for granted or have totally abandoned.  From his feeding, to his appearance; his beliefs and deployment of Human Resources; even his public policy thrusts Soludo is not paying lip service to the ideal concept of being a true Nigerian. So far, cynics have met a doer, the real man in the arena who is so much about doing his beat and allowing history be the judge.  — ...

The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued a pregnant woman who was allegedly detained in a security office in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, over a case of stealing by her husband.  The State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, intercepted a trending video report of the incident and promptly ordered a rescue operation and investigation into the matter. CP Itam has condemned the act of indiscriminate detention and inhuman treatment of suspects by some members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG). He assured that the root cause of such incidents would be addressed to prevent future occurrences. The CP has also initiated moves to checkmate the excesses of unprofessional AVG members in the state. The rescue operation is a welcome relief to the victim and her family, and it demonstrates the commitment of the Anambra State Police Command to protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens.

By Izuchukwu Adichie The politicians who are currently preparing for the 2025 gubernatorial election against Soludo are setting themselves up for a resounding defeat. Soludo remains steadfast in his commitment to delivering good governance. In Anambra state, 2025 is an election calendar year, providing his government with a unique opportunity to execute its plans with full determination, and with eyes on the ball. I couldn't agree more. The Soludo administration is definitely on the right track and the year 2025 is critical for the commencement, completion, and commissioning of projects. With Soludo at the helm, there is no doubt that he is fully committed to continuously delivering maximum benefits for ndi Anambra. His focus on tangible results and prioritizing execution is commendable and it is evident that he intends to fulfill the promises made to the people and build a brighter future for the state. What is impressive is the fact that Soludo, on assumption of offic...

…Five Neutralized Already, Days Before Operation “Ụdo ga achi takes off “ By Mazi Ejimofor Opara For a man who describes himself as a marathoner, it promises to be a very long walk for criminals and their sympathizers in Anambra State. Soludo is long suffering and filled with the milk of human kindness. Yet, decisive and full of action.  His first win over insecurity was unmasking the Unknown Gunmen for who they really are — criminals! In spite of this profound discovery, Gov. Soludo was gracious in offering bags of carrot to those who were falsely indoctrinated. He outlawed the devious Monday sit-at-home and constantly called on Ndi Anambra to reclaim their land.  While he continued his peace moves, training, developing and empowering the State’s human capital, a few individuals giving to the life of lucrative criminality elected to stand in the way of reason and good conscience. A more defiant Soludo has in consonance with Ndi Anambra declared “Operation Udo ga a...

The youth wing of Association of Anambra State Town Unions, ASATU, yesterday, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, presented the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Seahorse Lubricants Industries ltd, Chief (Dr) Ebuka Onunkwo with an award as one of the twenty one overall Star Role Models for the year 2024. Chief Onunkwo won the position for Ekwusigo LGA. The nomination, which stemmed from a competition instituted by ASATU youth with members cutting across the twenty one local government areas of Anambra State, saw Chief Ebuka Onunkwo and twenty others emerge as the winners of the contest. According to a letter of confirmation signed by President General of ASATU Youth body in Anambra state Comrade Ken Okoli: "We are happy to inform you that after your nomination for the community Youth Development Award from your community youths, there was a competition for A Star Role Model Award for all nominees from every community in every local government area of Anambra State. On the...

In a daring operation, a Joint Security Team comprising the Police, Military, and other Security Agencies successfully neutralized an armed secessionist gang in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The operation, which took place on January 14, 2025, at 12:30 pm, resulted in the neutralization of five gang members, while others escaped with bullet wounds. This is contained in a press release made available to this medium by the spokesperson of the force in Anambra, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga CSP.  During the operation, the security team razed down the criminal camp and recovered a cache of arms and explosives, including four undetonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two AK47 assault rifles, one pump action gun, and one 75-volt battery. The success of the operation is attributed to the collaboration and coordination among the various security agencies. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has called for greater cooperation fro...

Sixty-one years after the establishment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the country still imports military hardware, including arms and ammunition. DICON was established in 1964 to cater to the military’s needs, but six decades later, the Nigerian Military still relies heavily on imported military wares. The Nigerian Military has budgeted N25,594,414,841 to procure the arms and ammunition needed for its operations in 2025. In the 2025 appropriation bill before the National Assembly, the Armed Forces also budgeted N16,134,661,311 to procure protective kits such as uniforms, helmets, ballistic vests, etc. This is in addition to budgetary provisions for other equipment, including aircraft, vehicle fuel costs and other logistics. Advertisement Interestingly, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) claims it exported arms and ammunition to African countries in 2024. The budget proposal reviewed by LEADERSHIP also allocated N30,000,000 to e...

In a clear message of zero tolerance for cash flow disruptions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sanctioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for failing to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs), during the yuletide season. Each bank was fined ₦150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches. The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand. The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc. Communication with the banks revealed that the fines would be debited directly from their accounts with the apex bank. The Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali confirmed the develo...