NIGERIAN NOTCH

It was a mecca of sorts yesterday, as Okwudili Ezenwankwo foundation held the 12th anniversary of its youth empowerment and poverty alleviation program at his country home in Nnaka. The event kick-started at about 9Am with athletic competition with members of various age grades,competing at Holy Trinity Parish field Nkwo Agu Nanka, before moving to Oka Agbiligba Hall for the empowerment and poverty alleviation program. Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Foundation Chief Dr Ezenwankwo Okwudili (Ikemba Orumba)  the APGA House of representatives candidate for Orumba North and South Federal Constituency for the 2019 General election thanked God for seeing him through in the journey of life. He welcomed his guests from across his constituency for finding time to grace the occasion, while calling for their unalloyed support to him in the fort coming election. He assured them of the dividends of democracy based on the fact that he has the capacity and what it takes to deli...

By Ada Ukpabia Christians have been assured that God is with His people always. The Parish Priest of St. Brigid's Catholic Church Nnarambia Ahiara, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Pius Nwuzo stated this during the Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Fintan Ehioma, whom God saved from drowning in Okatankwo River when Mater Ecclesia Seminary Bus he took on an errand for the School plunged therein. "God wants his people to see life's challenges as stepping Stone instead of stumbling blocks. This will make ones focus to be unshaken." The Clergyman said, pointing out that those who trust in the Lord are as strong as Mount Zion which can never been shaken. He described the attributes of those who trust God to include; love and compassion towards others, adding that nobody who believes in God is ever allowed to be put shame. From the Mass Readings of the Day, Rev. Fr. Nwuzo identified that Bethlehem was a small City but God chose it to bear the...

By Ada Ukpabia Christians have been assured that God is with His people always. The Parish Priest of St. Brigid's Catholic Church Nnarambia Ahiara, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Pius Nwuzo stated this during the Thanksgiving Mass in honor of Fintan Ehioma, whom God saved from drowning in Okatankwo River when Mater Ecclesia Seminary Bus he took on an errand for the School plunged therein. "God wants his people to see life's challenges as stepping Stone instead of stumbling blocks. This will make ones focus to be unshaken." The Clergyman said, pointing out that those who trust in the Lord are as strong as Mount Zion which can never been shaken. He described the attributes of those who trust God to include; love and compassion towards others, adding that nobody who believes in God is ever allowed to be put shame. From the Mass Readings of the Day, Rev. Fr. Nwuzo identified that Bethlehem was a small City but God chose it to bear the...

Dignitaries from all walks of life joined the Radio Nigeria Icon, James Uwaleke, Family, Friends and Well Wishers to thank God for sparing his life after a Partial Stroke Attack. The Thanksgiving Mass celebrated at the Radio Nigeria Chapel Ozaraegbelu was used to thank God for making him add another book to his kitty, titled "Strong Woman" In his Sermon at the  Church Service, Rev Fr Justin Obijuru advised Christians to imbibe the habit of Thanksgiving to attract more Blessings from God. He decried the way Christians exhibit reluctance in appreciating God's Blessings, pointing out that God is ever faithful to reconcile with his Children. The man of God explained that though trials may come, everything works out for good to those who love God. He declared James Uwaleke as an Over Comer, as God fought his battle. James Uwaleke, the celebrant expressed gratitude to Almighty God for saving his life and for giving him the strength to produce yet another Book to improve t...

Nigeria Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR, is dead. Shagari reportedly died at the National Hospital Abuja on Friday after a brief illness. He died at the age of 93. His demise was announced on twitter by his grandson, Bello Shagari. Bello wrote, ”I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital, Abuja.”

The former Governor of Anambra State and the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi has admonished Christians and men of goodwill to use this year's Christmas celebration to extend hands of love and care to the less privileged in our society. In a statement made available to newsmen which reads in part, said “Let us all thank God that we are here today to celebrate yet another Christmas, an occasion which as Christians we should use to remind ourselves of the commencement of the mystery of our salvation and the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ who is our way to eternity.” He charged Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect deeply about the sadness in the country arising from  difficulties affecting the world, including our country. He stressed  that: “This period therefore  calls for prayers and deep reflection on, and re-examination of, the lives we have led up till this moment. The dictum of Socrates comes to mind here: ‘An unexam...

Abia indigenes forum Anambra state chapter has called for the unity of Abians in the diaspora. This call was made during the first get together of Abians at holiday resort Onitsha over the weekend. In his keynote address Hon Arunsi Ukah said he is happy to see Abians in diaspora come together for their common good in the society. He stressed he believes  that the call and arrangement is for a formidable union that will carter for affairs of Ndi Abia. Hon. Arunsi opined that their get together was for them to re think, re unite and forge ahead in oneness and love. He however stated that Abians in the diaspora should come together for their survival, as no man is an island. "Alot of Abia men and women, especially youths have suffered one thing or another relating to intimidation and denial of their fundamental rights, poverty". He therefore called on Abians to remember and always utilize the Igbo Adage which says "one hand cannot wrap a parcel" He maintained tha...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr The forthcoming 2019 general Elections in Imo state will be historical, as it will be the greatest test of our collective judgement as Ndi Imo, and posterity will not forgive us, if we make the same mistake we made in 2011, which was born out of sentiment rather than conscience and due diligence. Ndi Imo presently, have learnt their lessons in a very bitter way occasioned by the misrule and impunity of the present government, in the state which has made governance a caricature of the highest order, and a sore point for students of history and philosophy. Presently, there is hunger in the land, lack of enabling environment for job creation by the private sector, poor infrastructure and lack of sustainable development in Imo, all because of our lack of strong political participation. Imo, is in need of a fresh start, and a clear departure from the old ways of doing things. Imo needs to be rebooted as the state has been hibernating in the last seven and half years....

The crises ravaging the All Progressives Congress, APC, across some states appear to be eating into President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign. Party sources told Saturday Vanguard that a cabal has hijacked the campaign and there is an intense plot to relegate National Working Committee, NWC, members in the scheme of things. The plot, piloted by what a senior party official referred to as “presidency hawks” would see the party leadership attending campaigns like guests without strong inputs into the planning and organization. Indeed, it was gathered that some governors, who are at daggers drawn with the APC hierarchy over the recent primaries in which some of their loyalists lost out, want to teach the party leadership a lesson. How? They can only contribute funds to President Buhari’s campaign if the funds would not be controlled by the APC leadership. President Buhari had months ago named Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi as Director General of...

Koolp in this interview with Nigerian Notch @ his office in Asaba highlights on his home coming party with Peruzi Amaka Disappoint cronie and the need to bring entertainment down to the grassroots as a means of healing the soul and mind. Enjoy the interview 

Dr. Okey Chidolue, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, aspirant for Anambra South senatorial election held on October 3, 2018, at Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, has urged APGA to do the needful by forwarding his name to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the authentic candidate of the party in Anambra South, or forget about having a senatorial candidate  for the 2019 general election in Anambra  South, while also commending the judiciary for standing firm on the path of justice. Dr Chidolue, made this known at an interactive media chat,with newsmen at his country home in Nnewi yesterday. He stressed that majority of APGA delegates to the primary were embittered at the injustice and impunity that characterised the said primaries and wondered where the person, who claimed victory at the election would have gotten his votes from,aside from the statutory list for the primary election. According to him, "before and during the primary election,  APGA refused to p...

In its usual manner for the past 6 years, Jesus Abandoned Charity Organization, Oraifete, ably led by Rev Fr Anthony  Ananwa yesterday showered the physically challenged in society with gifts, in the spirit of Christmas. It was however a mecca of sort as the charity organization based in Oraifete, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, gave out wheel chairs, clutches, walking frames,clothes and food items to physically challenged persons in Anambra. The event,which was held at the Home of the organization which also houses inmates who are physically challenged, was preceded by a Holy Mass presided over by, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ananwa, founder of the charity home. In his homily, Fr. Ananwa thanked God for giving him the vision, grace and opportunity to embark on such charity work, which he described as enormous. He stressed that he called the physically challenged to come and celebrate with them,so as to make them understand that they are not abandoned and forgotten. "We,...

From Collins Ughalaa His Excellency Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, the Accord governorship candidate for the 2019 governorship election in Imo State, has reiterated his commitment to revamp the economy of the state when he becomes the Governor of the state in 2019 for one term only. Ohakim disclosed this on Friday, December 14, 2018, while speaking at the Legends of Justice, Development and Peace Dinner Night organized by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas Commission (CARITAS) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, held at the Art Nouveau Events Center, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri. The immediate past governor of the state who is also the Accord governorship candidate noted that the economy of the state has been on bended knees since he left office, lamenting that just recently a man who used to trade at one of the markets demolished in the state by the Okorocha government died as a result of his inability to provide N1,000 for his child's Christmas school party. He said that when he b...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates its Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Peter Obi, for his outstanding performance at the 2019 Vice Presidential debate on Friday. The party says Peter Obi amply displayed an unprecedented understanding of the dynamics of the critical sectors of our economy with practical solutions to the myriad of problems as against Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who dwelt on false performance claims and displayed scanty understanding of economic issues.  The PDP applauds Peter Obi’s articulation of statistics; of practical steps to revamp our economy, trigger wealth creation, massive employment and return our people to productivity, through the revitalization of our productive and manufacturing sectors under our Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The party said Peter Obi’s spontaneous presentation of solutions on critical sectors including education, health, energy, power and security among others, shows PDP’s unparallel...

14 notable facts about Sen. Andy Uba:_ 1. Andy Uba was born on the 14th of December, 1958 in Enugu State to the family of Nze Philip Uba and Dame Chinwe Uba. 2. He hails from Uga in Aguata LGA of Anambra State, a town prominent for exploits in Trading activities. Uga has one of the largest markets in Aguata local government area. 3. Andy Uba holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geological sciences with years of working experience in Finance and Health services.  4. In his first political appointment, Andy Uba served the then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs between 1999 - 2006. 5. His first political contest was in 2007 when he contested for Governor under the platform of People's Democratic Party, PDP.  6. Uba has served in the Nigerian Senate since 2011 - the first representative from his zone to win a second term bid.  7. He has served in different capacities in the Nigerian Senate. He has served as Senate commit...

THE Federal Government, yesterday, lamented that the country ranked second amongst all nations in the world still practising open defecation. The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu said this at the commissioning of Kamomi Aketi accelerated water scheme at Ayede Ogbese community in Akure, Ondo State. Adamu said: “The country today still has significant challenges of access to adequate Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH. *Once upon a time: Open defecation in Bauchi “Recent statistics from WASH-NORM, National Outcome Routine Mapping, Survey indicate that about 67.9 % of our population have access to improved water supply from all sources while 41.5 % have access to basic sanitation facilities. “The consequences of lack of access to adequate water supply and sanitation are huge in terms of economic losses, high prevalence of water related diseases, reduced school enrolment and attendance, loss of dignity, more risks of insecurity and violence against women and children....

President Muhammadu Buhari and his main rival, Abubakar Atiku, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, were yesterday locked in verbal war over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. President M Buhari and Atiku While the President got the support of Buhari Media Organisation, BMO, in his decision to withhold assent to the Bill, which the President claimed was in the interest of the country, the claim was immediately ridiculed by the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation which said the President’s decision has evaporated every trace of his integrity. The BMO in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, said the decision not to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill as passed by the National Assembly had saved the country from a chaotic electoral process. BMO said:  “It is trite that the deployment of a new electoral law only two months to an election is a recipe for chaos. Introducing a new law that redefines fundamentally the ...

Lawmakers in British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party on Wednesday triggered a confidence vote in her leadership after Britain's planned divorce from the European Union was plunged into chaos. With less than four months left until the United Kingdom is due to exit on March 29, the world's fifth largest economy was tipping toward crisis, opening up the prospect of a disorderly no-deal divorce or a reversal of Brexit through a referendum. Graham Brady, the chairman of the party's so-called 1922 committee, said the threshold of 15 percent of the parliamentary Conservative Party seeking a confidence vote had been reached. "The threshold of 15 percent of the parliamentary party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party has been exceeded," Brady said. A ballot will be held between 1800 and 2000 on Wednesday in a room at the House of Commons and an announcement made as soon as possible afterwards, he said. ...

 Porn star Stormy Daniels must pay President Donald Trump nearly $293,000 for his attorneys' fees and another $1,000 in sanctions after her defamation suit against him was dismissed, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Tuesday. Trump's attorney, Charles Harder, had requested nearly $390,000 in fees and equal amount in sanctions as a deterrent against a "repeat filer of frivolous defamation cases." Judge S. James Otero cut the requested legal fees by 25 percent and awarded just $1,000 in sanctions. Otero previously noted that fees by Harder's firm — as high as $840 an hour — were reasonable but the 580 hours spent on the case appeared excessive. Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and was paid $130,000 as part of a nondisclosure agreement days before the 2016 presidential election. She sued him for defamation after he dismissed her claims of being threatened to keep quiet about the tryst as a "total con job." The judge threw ...

Two young lads suspected to be cultists, were yesterday apprehended  by the police for the alleged robbery of a man, who was disposed of his phone in Awada, Obosi, Anambra State. The suspects, Osai Ikechukwu, 18,  Ikenna Ofonaya, 17, as was gathered by our correspondent  robbed Ofor Odinaka of Nwasike Street, Awada of his phone. Confirming the arrest, police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the suspects were arrested by a patrol team attached to Awada Division, following a distress call, by residents of the area. He said: “ At about 7:10pm, a police patrol team attached to Awada Division responded to a distress call at Gaius Street, Awada where suspected cultists were operating. “The suspects allegedly robbed Ofor Odinaka, male, of Nwazike Street, Awada of his phone.” Mohammed said an axe, complimentary card of Supreme Vikings, Awalina and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects. “The suspects have confessed to be members o...

Anambra State is to partner South Africa to train young people in the Tourism/Hospitality industry. This was the outcome of deliberations which Gov Willie Obiano had with the Acting South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Bobby Moroe when he paid a courtesy visit recently at the Governor's Lodge, Awka. The governor and the High Commissioner briefed journalists after a closed-door meeting. They disclosed it was a very fruitful deliberations that centered on plans to set up a South African Consul in Anambra State to facilitate travels to and fro the country as well as other areas of cooperation in the areas of agriculture, power, tourism and hospitality. The High Commissioner, in his remarks said they were impressed with what the state has achieved in the select areas and said the move to strengthen relations between South Africa and Anambra State will translate into dividends that will benefit the people and drive mutual economic growth.

The member, representing Orlu Federal constituency at the federal house of representatives, Hon Jerry Alagbaoso has intensified calls for proper restructuring of Nigeria,for sustainable development in the county. He made this call, at the university of Ibadan alumni association maiden lecture of Imo branch, with topic,restructuring and national development in Nigeria, under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof Jude Njoku, former vice chancellor FUTO,Owerri. In delivering the lecture as the guest lecturer, Hon Alagbaoso, touched on major factors which has be deviled Nigerian nation since after independence, and proffered solutions on the way out. He said, the cause of agitations for restructuring is drawn from the establishment of decree no 34 of 1966, which abolished the federal system of government, which was however changed by the Obasanjo regime of 1979, though it retained the main features of a unitary system, he stressed. Hon. Alagbaoso however stressed in his lecture that ...

By Emmanuel Chukwu The Monday November 26 edition of the White-paper newspaper had a back page article with the title “CHARLES AMADI (CHAVON) MAKING HIS OWN UGLY POLITICAL HISTORY” written by Sam Onwuemeodo. As lacking in decency and grace as the article was, one could have ignored it, but for the obvious fact that it was a rabid, rancid ranting capable of misleading the author to bask in the illusion of journalistic achievement, if ignored, compelled this writer to embark on this corrective indulgence to clip the narration of its deceitful wings. Indeed a proper education on the issues raised prompted this corrective measure to prevent its possible repeat in the future if ever the author understood the weighty implications of such offensive outing to himself, his target and of course the general public who may have consumed the deceitful portion with misleading consequences. It is a sacred fact among journalism scholars and professional tutored on tort tha...

Dr. Frederick Fasehun Founder of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has died, according to a PUNCH report on Saturday morning. Fasehun, the paper said, died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. "The octogenarian, it was learnt, was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital on Tuesday where he remained until his demise," the report said. It quoted Fasehun’s spokesman, Mr. Adeoye Jolaosho, as saying that the late OPC founder was confirmed dead after a brief illness. “It is true, baba died this morning at the ICU in LASUTH, Ikeja,” he said. Fasehun was born in Ondo Town, Ondo State in 1938. He was a medical doctor and hotel owner and was responsible for the recent revival of the Unity Party of Nigeria, a party formed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1970s.

.....Explains choice of Obi The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday visited the Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to seek his understanding over the choice of Mr Peter Obi as his running mate . On the entourage of Atiku were the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, who is also the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki ; National Chairman of the party , Uche Secondus ; and the National Organising Secretary of the party , Col. Austin Akobundu (retd . ). It was learnt that the visit was meant to appease Ekweremadu, who had hoped that he would be the natural choice for the position . It was gathered that the visitors asked for Ekweremadu’ s support and explained to him that Obi was picked in the interest of the zone in particular and the nation in general. A source said , “ He was told that Obi does not have any corruption case against him and that he does not belong to any faction ...

At last, Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, yesterday announced the movement of his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu, other aides and members of the State House of Assembly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP). Okorocha, who spoke with journalists at the Government House, Owerri, however, promised to work for the victory of Nwosu as the next governor of the state in 2019 even as he remained in the APC as its candidate for Orlu Senatorial District. He also accused the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, of duping the deputy governor, Mr. Eze Madumere, former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Eche, and his predecessor, Mr. Jude Ejiogu, from the governorship ticket. According to him, what happened in APC primaries in many states presents interesting scenario as the party he said is known for justice, equity and fairness has been dented by the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. He said, ...

CHURCHILL OKONKWO You are a symbol of the past failures and the politically corrupt in Nigeria. With all due respect, therefore, I, on behalf of millions of Nigerians want to remind you that you should shut up when we are discussing anti-corruption challenges and the way forward. I laughed cynically when I heard you brag that you would “shock everyone because you will fight corruption …if given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country.” You challenged Nigerians to either “come forward with a single shred of evidence of [your] misconduct while in office or keep quiet.” Crude arrogance! You subsequently bragged that your stupendous wealth was a result of your “resourcefulness and successful investments". What a lie! To use your own words, that display of arrogance was “morally offensive” to millions of Nigerians. Please, sir, accept my apologies, but the issue is not about your “entrepreneurial spirit” *but w...