NIGERIAN NOTCH

With all due respect to you, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, I would have wished that any other  aid of Mr Governor responded to Chief Val Ozigbo's deposition, BUT NOT YOU.  Chief Ozigbo, a man who you served as the director general of his campaign organization in the 2021 governorship election in Anambra, whom you betrayed and underminedly stabbed blue and black during the last election deserves some silence from your ephemeral responses to his press briefing.  I still find it surprising and shocked how you are able to muster the courage and unashamedly join issues with your ex-Boss in a public space like this. All I can say is that it is "very unfortunate," especially with the brand of politics your likes play in Nigeria. With regards to the statement by Chief Val Ozigbo that " Anambra State is not doing well under Soludo, is the CATHOLIC TRUTH. Investors are scared to invest in Anambra State now under Gov. Chukwuma Soludo because of the harsh business climate impo...

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, on Thursday in Johannesburg, underscored the need for a stronger partnership between Nigeria and his country. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Thursday that Ramaphosa stated this during a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Johannesburg. He said that Ramaphosa thanked Tinubu for honouring the invitation to attend his inauguration for a second term in office. “Thank you so much for coming for the inauguration. I was very happy to see my brother at the ceremony,” the South African President said. President Tinubu said that Ramaphosa’s inaugural speech captured most of the challenges African countries face and the need for more collaboration among leaders and citizens to provide solutions. “I really enjoyed your speech at the ceremony. I was delighted to listen to you. We have lots of issues in common, and we need to work more closely together. It was a good c...

BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka  An indigene of Aguluezechukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State and stakeholder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the area, Hon. Arch. Okonkwo Chukwuka Williams, has drawn government attention to the insecurity bedeviling Aguluezechukwu Community Secondary School.  Okonkwo who expressed deep concern about the plight of the school, maintained that the school is under herdsmen and armed bandits threats because the school is not fenced to protect and secure the students, their teachers and property of the school.  Okonkwo who spoke exclusively with journalist Raymond Ozoji, lamented that due to the absence of fence to protect the teachers and students from external aggressions, herdsmen and their cattle use the school as a link road to Akpo, a neighbouring community.  He said armed bandits have not spared the school either as they steal the school property at will because they find their way in...

The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has urged the Federal Government to explore the negotiation window opened by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.  It could be recalled that Kanu during his trial on Wednesday hinted at exploiting the process of an out-of-court settlement in the alleged treasonable felony charge brought against him by the Federal Government.  Kanu gave the indication before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. When the matter was called on Wednesday, his lead lawyer, Mr Ejimakor Aloy, urged the court to on its own invoke Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which he said, provides for "reconciliation" and facilitation of amicable settlement in criminal or civil matters. He claimed that he had some time ago discussed the proposition with counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, adding that the senior lawyer ha...

‘Even N100, 000 is too small to Meet Basic Needs’      By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has expressed displeasure over the N62,000  Minimum Wage offer by the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating that  even N100, 000 is not even enough to meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers. Bishop Ezeokafor who stated this in an interview, noted that he was not happy with what he described as the back and forth debate between the FG and the organized labour, saying that the debate had started looking like something that could never be resolved. ‘It is actually starting to look like something that will be perennial. Something that can never have a solution. If you look deeply you begin to ask if those handling it are really sincere. If things are handled better, we will be able to meet the demands of the workers. I am so much worried about the happenings. I really want this country to m...

BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka  It was a rousing session on Sunday 16th June, 2024 at Orton Palace Hotel Ekwulobia Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State as Hon. Tony Ifedilichukwu Muobike mesmerized his constituents with a one year account of stewardship which they all endorsed as the best in the history of political representation of Aguata 2 state constituency.  The constituents who listened with avid attentiveness as the lawmaker reeled out his achievements in the last one year were apparently overwhelmed and happy with Tony Muobike's scorecard, saying in one accord that nobody has represented the constituency like him; describing him as a good man and one who understands the felt needs as well as pressing needs of the people.  Tony Muobike's constituency briefing which featured free enrollment of 350 citizens into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, was also interactive enabling the lawmaker to obtain feedbacks and useful suggestions from his const...

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has condemned the morning attack at the Ogbaru Local Government Area Headquarters Secretariat by armed arsonists. The attack, which resulted in the destruction of four patrol vehicles belonging to the vigilantes, has been described as an act of cowardice. Notably, there were no casualties. The police public relations officer SP Ikenga Tochukwu in a press release in Awka stressed that, preliminary information indicates that the assailants, arriving in large numbers on motorcycles and a vehicle, began shooting indiscriminately. However, they faced strong resistance from the Vigilante Operatives until the police response team arrived. Due to the superior firepower of the security operatives, the gunmen fled the scene. Unfortunately, four operational vehicles of the security operatives were engulfed in flames and severely damaged. In response to this incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in ch...

Kenechukwu Ofomah Awka All is now set for the first-ever Wazobia Cultural Fiesta and Talent Hunt being put together by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Anambra State. This was revealed during a courtesy visit to the Anambra State Commissioner for Youths, Mr Patrick Aghamba, by the State NYCN Council, led by the State Chairman, Ambassador Comrade Obi Emeka Chukwudi, to garner the Ministry’s endorsement and partnership towards the event. The Wazobia Cultural Fiesta and Talent Hunt initiative is in line with the vision of the Chukwuma Soludo administration to promote Anambra as a safe haven for creative ventures. It also aims to promote the diverse cultural values and endowments of the various people of Nigeria, while encouraging unity and patriotism among the young people. The event is billed to happen on the 27th of July, 2024. Speaking during the visit, the State NYCN Chairman, Ambassador Comrade Obi Emeka Chukwudi, said the initiative is part of the Council’s a...

BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka  The traditional ruler of Umueri community in Anambra-east Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Bennett Izuchukwu Emeka, has said that Anambra-North senatorial zone of the state is complaining of neglect while critical infrastructures are being distributed to other zones of the state by the current administration.  Igwe Emeka who spoke exclusively with this journalist at the state assembly complex Awka shortly after the 8th assembly one year anniversary celebration on Wednesday, advised members of the 8th legislature to make laws that would help Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo distribute infrastructure equitably across the state so that no region or senatorial zone will feel deprived or neglected.  He said, " My royal advise to the lawmakers is to first and foremost maintain peace and tranquility in Anambra State.  Then secondly, they should be able to guide the governor by making laws that will help ...

The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described as unacceptable the proposal to create Orlu State out of the present Imo State.  It could be recalled that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has already passed first reading.  But addressing journalists in Enugu on Thursday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged the National Assembly to jettison any plan to create Orlu State.  Okwu, who described it as an invitation to chaos in the South-East, said it negates the spirit of equity and justice.  He said whereas the South-East was desirous of an additional state to be at par with other regions, the proponents of Orlu State were championing a selfish and divisive agenda, which would only worsen the cries of marginalisation in the zone.  According to him, “the...