NIGERIAN NOTCH

Iran said Saturday it “unintentionally” shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people aboard, in an abrupt about-turn after initially denying Western claims it was struck by a missile. President Hassan Rouhani said a military probe into the tragedy had found “missiles fired due to human error” brought down the Boeing 737, calling it an “unforgivable mistake”. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded Saturday that Iran provide “full clarity” on the downing of the plane, which Ottawa says had 57 Canadian citizens aboard. “A full and complete investigation must be conducted,” Trudeau said. “Iran must take full responsibility.” Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences and ordered the armed forces to address “shortcomings” so that such a disaster does not happen again. The acknowledgement came after officials in Iran denied for days Western claims that the Ukraine International Airlines plane had been struck by a missile in a cat...

…5 other Bills Signed into Law Governor Emeka Ihedioha CON, has signed the N197.6 Billion 2020 Appropriation Bill into Law. In a press release made available to Nigerian Notch by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Emeka Ihedioha, of IMO state, stated that the governor also performed the signing of five more bills into law. In a short ceremony, which was held at the Expanded Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri, Friday, we gathered that the governor said the 2020 appropriation bill was professionally and painstakingly prepared. “The 2020 appropriation bill is the flagship of the bills I have signed into Law today. This appropriation bill was professionally and painstakingly prepared. Having signed up to the Open Government Partnership, we had a few pre-requisites to follow. For instance, the process was participatory and so involved constituents and civil society, even before we presented it to the Assembly. It was also transparent, as we have made the docu...

I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays! My best wishes to you, and your family, for a blessed holiday season I want to call on Christians in particular and Nigerians in general to emulate the virtues of Christ, who through self-sacrifice brought salvation to humanity. This is a time for us to be our brother’s keeper, extend our generosity to one another and ensure that the less-privileged among us are not left out of the ensuing merriment. The security agencies must of necessity redouble their efforts to ensure that the Christmas and New Year celebrations are observed peacefully across the country. Please join me in keeping the courageous men and women of our armed forces, and law enforcement, in our thoughts and prayers this holiday. Sincerely, Hon. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri

The Commissioner of Police Anambra state has visited the ever busy head bridge, the gateway from the South West to the South East, which has recently seen heavy flow of traffic and gridlock because of the festive season, occasioned by enormous volume of traffic. In compliance with the directives of  the Inspector- general of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu NPM,mni, the Commissioner of Police Anambra  State Command CP John B.Abang,fdc accompanied by heads of other Security  Agencies in the State has today paid an unscheduled visit to Onitsha headbridge and  environs in order to access  Police deployment and monitor traffic situation in the affected  areas. The deployment which also includes aerial surveillance,patrols and traffic control are meant to ensure that Ndi Anambra and other residents alike celebrate  Christmas and new year peacefully without hitch. Consequently, the CP on behalf of other Security Agencies in the State  reassur...

The medical and dental consultants association of Nigeria, MDCAN, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH chapter, has held its 2019 AGM, which had on its sidelines a scientific session cum dinner night, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu Anambra state. The AGM produced a new set of leaders that will pilot the affairs of the association for another term of office. The election which was held to produce the new officers was free, fair and credible and the following officers emerged with Dr A Ugezu , as Chairman, Dr S K Onah, as Vice Chairman, while Dr C Ilokanuno emerged as the Secretary of the association. Others are Dr C Ndukwu- assistant Secretary,  Dr I O Oranusi, Treasurer, Dr G Obasikene, Financial Secretary, while Dr H  Nwankwo emerged as the Social Secretary of the association for another term of two years. In his welcome address, the immediate past Chairman MDCAN, NAUTH, Dr Eric Ihekwuoaba, thanked members of the association for the support they gave him t...

Hon Engr. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, has assured members of his federal constituency of his readiness to represent them in no small measure when reelected come January 25th, 2020. He made this known in meeting when hordes of youth leaders from some wards in Okigwe North paid him a courtesy visit. Addressing the audience of the youths, journalists and well-wishers, Hon Obinna said he sought the office once more to bring government closer to his people. Flanked by over 150 youth leaders, the lawmaker said he would work to serve the people more if elected. "I seek your vote and support in this RE-RUN election to bring good governance even closer to our people. I seek your support and votes to mentor the next generation. I seek this office to galvanize my fellow elected lawmakers to make life more abundant for every Nigerian and Okigwe northerner in particular. There are so much work to be done by way of legislation in many areas of our life including but not limited to educati...

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, has said the visa on arrival for holders of passports of African countries from January 2020 is to accelerate African Integration. A statement from Sunday James, the NIS Public Relations Officer, quoted Babandede as saying the decision would remove barriers hindering free movement of people within the continent. “Nigeria’s strategic decision is taken to bring down barriers that have hindered free movement of our people within the continent by introducing the visa at the point of entry into Nigeria with effect from January 2020,” he said. Babandede assured Nigerians of the service’s commitment to high professionalism in delivering its services without compromising National Security. Babandede’s statement on Dec. 11, which announced the federal government’s decision to allow Africans into Nigeria without visa from January 2020, was greeted with mixed reactions by Nigerians with many expressing fea...

The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the transfer of Soku oil field from Bayelsa to its rightful owner, Rivers. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Monday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by Rivers Government against the Attorney-General of Bayelsa and the Attorney-General of the Federation. Ekwo ordered the National Boundary Commission, (NBC) to rectify the error in its 11th Edition of Administrative Map which designated San Bartholomew River as the boundary between the two states, instead of River Santa Barbara. The Counsel had submitted that the error occurred in the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map produced by the NBC in 2002. The NBC was said to have admitted its mistake in a letter dated July 3, 2002 in response to Rivers Government’s protest and had promised to rectify it in the 12th edition of the administrative map. The Rivers government was compelled to file a suit against the Attorney-General of Bayelsa and that of the federation at the Su...

By Obi Bright Chinweuba So much has been said about the leadership style of Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri, a young chap notable for his pragmatic leadership influence, unassuming to many, yet diatribed by some. His influence is likened to what Rosalyn Carter opined that a leader takes people where they want to go, but a great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be. From in-depth research and reasonable tallying of facts and figures, it was deduced abinitio that the biggest problem rocking the boat of most rural communities in Okigwe North Federal Constituency is the lack of power/energy/electrification to carry about their respective businesses. To eradicate this plague of darkness which primarily was amongst the campaign promises of Hon. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri during his first sojourn at the National Assembly, facts available shows that he did justice to those campaign promises. In line with actualizing the connection of Okigwe north to the n...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Christians to sustain their prayers for the success of his administration and the development of the State. Speaking during the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration and Thanksgiving service of St Peter’s Anglican Church Rumuepirikom Deanery on Sunday, Governor Wike said the state is currently faced with enemies who do not mean well for it. He stated that the State will continue to thrive because of the prayers of committed Christians.  He said with prayers, Rivers State will prevail over her adversaries. “As Christians, I urge you to continue to pray for the state. The prayers of Christians are necessary for the State to remain victorious in the face of challenges “, he said. The Governor was represented at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo. The Governor said that his administration will continue to support and defen...