NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Praise Chinecherem  Renowned novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie once warned about the dangers of relying on a single narrative.  In her iconic TEDx talk, "The Danger of a Single Story," Adichie emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives and the risks of perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions. The recent kidnapping allegations against Chief Jeff Nweke, a respected titled man in Awka, are a stark reminder of the dangers of relying on a single narrative.  As a community leader who has tirelessly worked to provide security in his community and environs, these allegations seem unbelievable and paradoxical. It is astonishing that a man who actively sought justice by placing bounties to uncover the truth behind the recent Nibo massacre is now facing such serious accusations. No wonder, community leaders from Ezinano Awka have come out in his strong defence. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial that we avoid the pitfalls of a single story, which c...

The Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) held its first meeting for the year on February 3, 2025, at the Council Chamber, Awka. The meeting addressed critical issues affecting the state, including erosion and infrastructure development. The Council decried human conducts fuelling stormwater and gully erosion in the state, which has endangered some communities and transformed the state into an ecologically endangered zone. It urged communities to take action to prevent sand excavations in undesignated areas of the state. In a bid to expand critical infrastructure, the Council awarded several contracts, as stated in press release made available to this medium by the Commissioner for information Anambra State, Dr Lawrence Mefor, they include: Protocol Lounge at Chinua Achebe International Airport: Gill Associates Ltd, was awarded the contract to build a Protocol Lounge at the airport, valued at N144 million, to be completed in seven weeks. Rehabilitation of Internal Roads a...

The Rivers Voice of Freedom (RVF) warmly congratulates our esteemed Principal and Grand Patron, Chief Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, on his well-deserved appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall. In a press release made available to newsmen in Porthacourt today and Signed, by Tonye Pepple, RVF Publicity Barr. Stanley Orlu RVF Secretary, Hon. Popnen Badom, Diaspora Chairman RVF, and Snr. Comr. Dominic S. Dumekpigi President General, RVF, said it was a good decision taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have appointed Senator Magnus Abe to the very position.  "This appointment is a testament to Senator Abe's impeccable credentials, unwavering credibility, and proven capacity. We have absolute confidence in his ability to deliver on this mandate, and we pray that God grants him the wisdom, courage, and good health to navigate the demanding responsibilities ahead." Continuing, they also extended their p...

Some members of Ihite community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State have rejected the newly crowned monarch of the community, Igwe Timothy Ifurunwa, saying he is not the wish of the people and failed to emerge through a legitimate process. Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had on January 13 presented a certificate of recognition to the monarch at the government house, alongside newly installed monarchs of other communities. But members of the traditional council of Ihite, who are the kingmakers have approached the court, to contest the crowning of the monarch, urging Soludo to restrain him from parading himself as monarch until a legitimate process has been concluded and a duly accepted candidate installed. The council said the governor was deceived by few people, whereas the council which has the statutory right of undertaking the process of electing a monarch was illegally dissolved by the president general of the community, Mr George Madu wh...

Leaders of Umuoba Anam under the aegis of Federated Association of Umuoba Anam Council have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo to restrain Aguleri youths and people from further attacks and encroachment on their fish ponds and farmlands at Omagu Umuoji near Egbeagu Eziagulu Otu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.  The petition dated January 31, 2025 and jointly signed by Chief S.N. Okoye and Comrade C. Mmehie, Chairman and Secretary respectively, accused their neighbors of using false claims to unleash violence and war over its property at Omagu farm settlement.  The petition party reads, "On January 25, 2025, armed men from Egbeagu Eziagulu-Otu with Ak-47 invaded Borrow Pit and Onumonu-Akpatieyi fishing pools belonging to Umuoji Umuoba Anam. They fired gunshots indiscriminately, endangering the lives of innocent people for more than two hours.  "As if their heinous crimes above are not bad enough, on January 26th, 2025, these grou...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr The Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide presidential election might have come and gone, but the scars that accompanied that election is still raging. With misplaced approbation in different quarters, on what actually happened with stakeholders who actively participated in the process.  In a recent publication by the Sun Newspaper on the 21st of January 2025, titled; Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Agenda for John Azuta-Mbata, which was purported to have been written by Prof Agbedo from Nsukka, highlighted some of the tasks before Sen John Mbata's new administration. In that publication, the writer basically hammered on the process and controversies surrounding the election, but misplaced the facts.  It's unfortunate however, that those who were named in that publication, did not in anyway have anything to do with that election, as they did not buy any form from Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. Going forward, they should show us the forms they bought, and where they made the pay...

In a swift operation, the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, Joshua Simeon, from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, for attempting to traffic a five-year-old girl, Nkemdilim Jacob. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the arrest was made possible by credible information received by the Ogidi Area Command on February 1, 2025, at 4 pm. The suspect was apprehended at Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area, while attempting to flee with the child. The police have revealed that the suspect had boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was arrested. The child, Nkemdilim Jacob, was allegedly taken away from her parents in Umuota Village, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine his motives and possible connections to a larger child trafficking network. Efforts are also underway to reunite the recov...

By Rose Oranye  Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, passionately appealed to the Presidents-General of town unions in the state to support the new security initiative of the Soludo-led administration, Operation Udo Ga-Achị, to restore total security and rid  the state of criminals. Addressing the PGs during his courtesy visit to the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), at the ASATU Hall, Government House, Awka, Mefor assured that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to recover Ihiala and other parts of the state threatened  by criminals. He says, "Anambra is a great state, but criminals are bent on turning things upside down. That's why we have in place the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, which established a new security outfit called Agunechemba, which replaced the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), and launched Operation Udo Ga-Achị. Some people are asking why we had to do it in...

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has responded to what it termed alarming and incendiary remarks recently made by Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transport against President Bola Tinubu. According to Ohanaeze in a statement issued by the Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, “in a discourse at an opposition leaders’ conference in Abuja, Amaechi’s outrageous call for Nigerians to resort to “brutal force” in an attempt to snatch power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by 2027 starkly contravene the principles of civility, democracy, and peace that we hold dear. “Amaechi’s equally disconcerting assertion that politicians must be willing to “steal, maim, and kill” to retain power not only diminishes the dignity of our political discourse but also poses a dire threat to the very fabric of our society”. Ohanaeze averred that such insidious rhetoric serves to excite unrest and mobilize the youth toward v...

Dangote Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N950 to N890 per litre. According to a statement issued by Mr Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the new price takes effect on Saturday. Chiejina said that the price adjustment was in response to favourable developments in the global energy sector and a significant decline in international crude oil prices https://x.com/DangoteGroup/status/1885780350539878882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1885780350539878882%7Ctwgr%5E1883dc87da13e176100e52720015ecdad1d88901%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvon.gov.ng%2Fpetrol-price-drops-as-dangote-refinery-cuts-cost%2F He explained that this latest move followed a similar decision made on January 19, when a modest price increase was implemented due to rising crude oil costs. Chiejina said with recent global market trends indicati...