NIGERIAN NOTCH

The leading aspirant in the forthcoming Anambra state gubernatorial election on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo, is set to hold special town hall meetings with Ndi Anambra living outside the state. In a statement issued on Friday, March 19, 2021, issued in Awka and signed by Ephraim Adiele, his media assistant, Mr Ozigbo revealed that in line with his principle of a people-oriented government, he has decided to carry every onye Anambra along in his dream for an progressive Anambra.   "The grand vision I have for Anambra State is one that requires the collective input and participation of everyone. Everyone has a role to play in repositioning our state for the better,” the respected business executive said.  "Consequently, I have decided to hold intimate sessions with my brothers and sisters in different cities outside the state. This way we can deepen the conversation, reveal our plans with them, and discuss their expectations for a n...

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on Thursday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that it has taken over the prosecution of a former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, accused of threatening and harassing one Mrs Chinyere Amuchienwa. The court had earlier slated Thursday for the former governor to be arraigned, but when the matter was called, a counsel from the office of the AGF, Bagudu Sani, told the court that the office of the AGF had taken over the case by a letter dated March 17, 2021, which he said had been served on the Inspector General of Police. Counsel to the police, R. F Dimka, opposed the taking over of the case by the office of AGF on the ground that the charges preferred against the former governor were prepared by the office of the IGP, whom she said is the complainant in the case. However, the trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, told Sani from the office of the AGF that he had taken judicial notice of the letter but that the counsel should...

Nsukka Journalist foundation, a group of practicing journalists from Nsukka in Enugu state has rejected Enugu Pension bill for governor's. In a statement made available to Nigerian Notch, by the group reads thus, "we are dismayed by media reports that a bill to further amend the Enugu State Pensions Law 2007, first amended in 2017,  passed its first reading at the Enugu State House of Assembly on March 11, 2021, and that, as a consequence of the uproar which followed it, the House stepped it down on March 16" They noted also that a statement, signed by the Leader of the House, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, in which he attempted to justify the House’s action by quoting Section 124 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been taken over by events. This section they said provides that a state House of Assembly MAY make a law for the grant of a pension or a gratuity to a person who had held office as Governor or Deputy Governor, which shall be a charge upon ...

The minister of state education,Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba today in Jigawa joined  Governor Badaru Abubakar, in launching the better education service delivery for all initiative in the state.  The initiative is centered on getting more Children off the streets. This will in the long run enable the state government to enroll these children into classes for better education service delivery to those in their niche. The Honorable minister who was joined by the entire state Executive, the house of Assembly members and director, better education service delivery for all, from the federal ministry of education, stressed that the Initiative is to ensure that every child in Nigeria is educated. He lamented the high rate of school drop outs and was indeed pleased with the initiative of the state government to drive the program.  He therefore tasked stakeholders in the education sector in Nigeria to embrace the program, to ensure that Children, whom he described as a country's great...

The minister of state for education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has called for vigilance to help tackle the issue if increased rate of kidnapping of school children, especially in Northern Nigeria. He made this call today, during a brief stop at the Federal Government College, Kiyawa, Jigawa state. He decried the incessant attacks on schools and kidnapping of students, which he described as worrisome. The Honorable Minister, however called on members of the public, to be vigilant, as it is the collective responsibility of everyone to secure the lives of students in their domain. He commended the men of Nigeria Security  & Civil Defence Corps and Police officers he met at the school for there proactive efforts to ensure that the teachers and students of the school are safe.  He said, " No man can come into a community and take away over 200 hundred students if the community is watchful enough to observe and report to appropriate authorities. It is no longer the sole responsi...

 A former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, was on Tuesday, 16th March, 2021 discharged and acquitted by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on a 3-count criminal charge entered against him by the Inspector-General of Police on a petition by Chinyere Amuchinwa Igwegbe. Nigerian Notch on good authority has it,that the police authorities took the decision to discontinue the case after it discovered that the charge was a malicious act against Ohakim by Ms Amuchinwa due to a failed relationship, which went sour. Recall,  that Ohakim’s Lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor had last September filed an action against investigating Ohakim based on the related petition by Ms Amuchinwa to Nigeria Police Force. The acquittal followed a notice of discontinuance filed by the Nigeria Police in relation to the matter. The notice of discontinuance of charge No: CR/933/2020 was dated March 12, 2021 and it followed on the heels of a Motion to quash the same Charge previo...

 A staff of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) identified as Obiajulu Atta, an Operations Technician attached to Umudike Service Center under Umuahia District, Abia State was attacked today by a customer of the company. The customer, whose full details are yet to be known was to be disconnected, for nonpayment of electricity bills, and in the process, he got infuriated, got a matchet and cut Obiajulu’s hand to the dismay of on lookers. First aid was immediately administered on the victim at a private Clinic and subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, for proper medical attention. In a statement made available to Nigerian Notch by the Head, Corporate communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Eze, he said "There is no justification whatsoever for this horrible act and the Management of EEDC has vowed to apprehend the perpetrator of this crime and prosecute him accordingly" Further details on this development will be made available, to the general p...

Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on Sunday. Beyonce leads the pack with nine nominations, followed by Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and rapper Roddy Ricch with six each. – Album of the Year – Jhene Aiko, “Chilombo” Black Pumas, “Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition)” Coldplay, “Everyday Life” Jacob Collier, “Djesse Vol. 3” Haim, “Women In Music Pt. III” Dua Lipa, “Future Nostalgia” Post Malone, “Hollywood’s Bleeding” Taylor Swift, “folklore” – Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song – Beyonce, “Black Parade” Black Pumas, “Colors” DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar” Doja Cat, “Say So” Billie Eilish, “Everything I Wanted” Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now” Post Malone, “Circles” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce, “Savage” – Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting – Beyonce, Denisia Andrews, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk and Rickie “Cas...

Dozens of protesters kicked and threw rocks at a minibus carrying Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Saturday as he visited an area devastated by forest fires, TV footage showed. As he left a community center in the town of Lago Puelo in the southern Patagonia region, Fernandez had to take refuge behind a wall of people as a crowd of demonstrators pushed toward him and his delegation. The protesters later stopped the bus carrying the president, punching and kicking it and throwing stones that broke windows in the vehicle, according to footage broadcast by the TN network and the newspaper Clarin. Fernandez sought to downplay the violence, saying it was the work of a small number of people. “I am sure that this violence was not taken part in by the people of Chubut nor by those who inhabit our beloved Argentina,” he wrote, referring to the province the surrounds the town.  With few police on hand, the crowd managed to halt the president’s bus and other vehicles in his entourage...

Farmer dispute has taken on acute and violent dimensions. It has cost too many innocent lives while destroying the property and livelihoods of many others. It has also aggravated ethnic sentiment and political tension. Despite the efforts of some of those in positions of high responsibility and public trust, the crisis has not significantly abated. Sadly, others who should know better have incited matters by tossing about hate-tainted statements that fall dangerously short of the leadership these people claim to provide. We all must get hold of our better selves to treat this matter with the sobriety it requires.   Because of the violence that has ensued and the fretful consequences of such violence if left unabated, we must move in unison but decisively to end the spiral of death and destruction. Only when the violence and the illogic of it are halted can logic and reason prevail. Until the violence is rolled back, we cannot resolve the deep problems that underlie this...