NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha has celebrated a double historic event: the ordination of 44 deacons and the commemoration of 140 years of Catholicism in Igboland (1885–2025). The ceremony, a profound expression of faith across the nine dioceses of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, was held at the Basilica Square of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State. The event drew an enormous crowd of Catholic priests, religious, lay faithful, and all the bishops from the dioceses within the province. The dioceses represented were: Ekwulobia, Awka, Enugu, Nsukka, Aguleri, Abakaliki, Awgu, Onitsha, and Nnewi. The ordination of the 44 new deacons formed the climax of the celebration and was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty. In his homily before the ordination rites, Archbishop Crotty recalled the arrival of the Irish missionaries who first brought the Catholic faith to Onitsha. He noted that many of these m...

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, to make a definite decision on whether he intends to join the party’s coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The party said Obi would not be pressured into joining despite the influence he commands within the emerging political alliance. Obi had on Wednesday expressed concern that the ADC-led coalition was “faltering” due to unresolved issues surrounding zoning and the rotation of key political offices. However, he also expressed confidence in the coalition’s leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Responding in an interview, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the coalition had not reached a stage where zoning should form part of its discussions. According to him, the current focus is on building credibility and offering Nigerians a viable political alternative. “We’re not talkin...

The Arewa Consultative Forum Youth Movement (ACFYM) has declared that Nigeria needs transparent public institutions and leaders whose conduct reinforces, rather than erodes, citizens’ trust. ACFYM President, Kabiru Yusuf, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday while reacting to intensifying public demands for a forensic probe into the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Yusuf said the youth wing of the northern socio-political group firmly aligns itself with the cause of accountability and the protection of national interest. He expressed concern over allegations raised against the FIRS Chairman, Mr Zacch Adedeji, bordering on lifestyle-related issues and the management of taxpayers’ funds under his watch. Although the allegations remain unproven, Yusuf said their gravity and the potential damage to public confidence necessitate an immediate, comprehensive forensic investigation by relevant anti-corruption and oversight bodies. “As responsible stakeholders committed to tran...

By Ukpa Ewa  Journalists in Anambra State have been urged to improve the quality, sensitivity and ethical standard of reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as the menace continues to grow due to deep rooted cultural norms and weak enforcement structures. The charge was made during a one day capacity building workshop in Awka for media personnel on GBV reportage, content development and amplifying survivor voices. The training, titled “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations " was implemented by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WomenAid Collective (WACOL). Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of GPSDC, Mrs. Eucharia Anakwe said many GBV cases collapse at the police level because the media often publicise details prematurely, enabling perpetrators to flee. She noted that improved reportage...

FirstPower Electricity Distribution Limited (FPEDL) has announced that several parts of Anambra State will experience a planned power outage on Sunday, December 7, 2025, to allow for critical maintenance and upgrade work by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). According to a statement signed by the management of FPEDL, the interruption—scheduled to last from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—is necessary to enable TCN engineers to install a TR13 60MVA transformer and reconfigure outgoing feeders at the Onitsha Transmission Station. To create a safe operational environment for the technical crew, the MOBITRA 40MVA and 45MVA transformers, along with the 1T1 100MVA 132/33KV transformer, will be temporarily shut down during the exercise. As a result, the following 33KV feeders will be affected: Army Barracks, Awada, Obosi, Umunya, Juddy Bolema, Nnewi Oba, Nnewi Industrial, Ossomala, 3-3, Niccus and Ogidi. Also affected are the Nwaziki 11KV and Woliwo 11KV feeders. Customers served ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has presented certificates to staff who successfully completed the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI)—a comprehensive digital skills training sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The capacity-building programme, conducted by the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), equipped staff with critical 21st-century competencies, including digital literacy and cybersecurity, ICT office productivity tools, e-teaching and e-learning technologies, data analysis and visualization using SPSS and Power BI, as well as collaboration and emerging technology skills. Speaking at the certificate-presentation ceremony, Dr. Awuzie said the initiative aligns with her administration’s commitment to strengthening staff capacity and advancing the digital transformation of the institution’s academic and administrative systems. According to her, empowering staff with modern ICT skills...

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Wednesday received a delegation of prominent political figures at his Abuja office in what analysts describe as another sign of emerging political recalibrations ahead of the 2027 general elections. The delegation comprised former Osun State governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba (PhD); former Niger State CPC Chairman, Hon. Umar Shuaibu; and serving Benue lawmaker, Hon. Samuel Godday. While the meeting was officially described as a courtesy and solidarity visit, its timing has drawn attention against the backdrop of early political projections indicating that opposition movements and emergent coalitions may intensify efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) through the ballot in 2027. Since the end of the 2023 election cycle, several pol...

The Ndiakwu Otolo Community Meeting, Lagos branch, has commemorated its 50th anniversary with the launch of an ambitious ₦200 million building project, aimed at securing a permanent home for the association after five decades of holding meetings in rented venues across Lagos. The golden jubilee celebration, held in Lagos, brought together members, leaders, and supporters of the community to reflect on its journey since its establishment in 1974 and to chart a new course for the future. Speaking at the event, former chairman and patron of the association, Prince Christopher Nwobi, expressed gratitude to God for the community’s growth over the past 50 years. He noted that the new building marks a major milestone in the association’s history and will solidify its presence in Lagos. “For over five decades, we have relied on rented halls for our meetings. That model is no longer sustainable,” he said. “This new structure, already sited on secured land, will not only serve as our...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State, as a non-career ambassador, marking a significant return to public service for the respected philanthropist and advocate for women’s empowerment. Ohakim, widely regarded for her humanitarian work and influence in community development across the South-East, joins a select group of distinguished Nigerians chosen for ambassadorial appointments. Her nomination underscores the administration’s recognition of citizens with strong leadership backgrounds and national influence. The President also forwarded the names of former Rivers State sole administrator and ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and former Minister of Interior and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), as non-career ambassadors. Chioma Ohakim’s inclusion has drawn attention within diplomatic and political circles, with many describing it as a strategic move that bring...

...Lauds Tinubu's Choice Of Defence Minister  Anambra-born international security expert Amb. Dr. John Metchie has commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State for equipping very well-trained forest security guards with sophisticated guns and other technologically-driven gadgets to fight Kidnappers, bandits and other terrorist groups operating in the forest regions.  Metchie also commended Governor Mbah for the launch of security drones with capacities to mount surveillance in the entire Enugu state and beyond; describing it as a high profile initiative intended to detect as well as nip criminal activities in the bud.  Giving the commendations in an exclusive interview with this journalist, the security expert, said Governor Mbah's decision to train and equip forest guards with state-of-the-art security apparatus was a bold and courageous step taken in the right direction inorder to combat criminal insurgents lurking in the forested areas of the state...