NIGERIAN NOTCH

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...

By Chigozie Igbo Jnr  ABUJA — The Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted accelerated hearing in a politically sensitive appeal arising from the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), fixing April 22, 2026, for definitive proceedings. The decision followed deliberations by a five-member panel of the apex court, which directed all parties in the suit to fast-track the filing and exchange of legal processes in line with an expedited timetable. The appeal, filed by a factional national leadership group within the ADC, challenges earlier judgments of both the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Court of Appeal, which had upheld prior rulings affecting the control and structure of the party’s leadership. At the centre of the dispute is a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is contesting decisions that reshaped the party’s national leadership framework. Court records show the appeal, registered as SC/CV/180/2026, stems from a March 12 judgment of the Co...

The Anambra State Police Command has intensified security arrangements ahead of the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), deploying no fewer than 60 personnel under its Safe School Initiative to ensure a hitch-free exercise across the state. The operatives have been strategically assigned to designated examination centres for the exercise organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), scheduled to hold from April 15 to April 26, 2026. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, the deployment is coordinated from the eight police area commands in the state, with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Harrison Oruruo, overseeing the initiative. Ikenga explained that the move forms part of proactive measures to guarantee the safety of candidates, invigilators and examination officials, while also preventing examination malpractice, disruption and other security breaches. “The Command has ...

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted an application for accelerated hearing in an appeal filed by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the apex court directed all respondents in the matter to file and exchange their briefs within five days, underscoring the urgency of the case. The court subsequently fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal. The decision followed arguments over the timeline for filing processes. While a rival bloc associated with Nyesom Wike and Bola Ahmed Tinubu had initially sought 20 days, deliberations among parties later produced a consensus for 10 days. However, the Supreme Court, in a move seen as prioritizing expeditious resolution, reduced the period to five days, signaling its determination to ensure swift adjudication of the dispute. The appeal is expected to address critical issues surrounding the party’s internal leadership crisis, with broader implication...

The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has issued a strong warning over what it described as “sponsored attacks” against prominent Igbo leaders, dismissing recent claims made by Igboayaka Igboayaka as baseless and misleading. Igboayaka, who purportedly identified himself as President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, had declared several former South-East governors persona non grata for allegedly endorsing President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. Among those he criticised were David Umahi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sullivan Chime, Chris Ngige, and Okezie Ikpeazu, accusing them of political betrayal. However, reacting in a statement issued on Monday, the National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Okwu Nnabuike, urged the public to disregard the remarks, describing Igboayaka as “an impostor” engaging in political mischief. Okwu emphasised that no individual or group has the authority to declare others persona non grata over their political ...

From Chinwe Onuigbo,  Awka  At least 30 young people from Anambra State and other parts of Nigeria have received financial support totaling ₦15 million under a youth empowerment programme organized by the Faithspiration Initiative. The grants were disbursed during the third edition of the group’s youth forum, themed “Ablazed with the Fire of God,” held at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha. The event brought together no fewer than 50,000 youths from across the South-East and South-South regions, alongside religious leaders and public officials. Building on the legacy of its previous editions, the forum has emerged as a major platform for spiritual growth, motivational discourse and youth empowerment. Its inaugural edition, themed “Blossoming Youth, Flourishing Generation,” and the second edition, “Gen Zs: Limitless for Christ,” attracted thousands of participants and facilitated the disbursement of millions of naira in grants. Organizers s...