Air Peace on Tuesday resumed its Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flight operations. Flight operations had commenced at the airport with the arrival of Aero Contractors flight on Monday. The Air Peace Boeing 737 with registration No. 5N–BUJ arrived Asaba four months after the closure of the airport due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The aircraft which touched down at the airport at 8.50 am was celebrated with a water canon salute. Pilot of the Aircraft, Captain Omar Al-Talib, said the carrier was delighted to have returned to Asaba after its flight operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
Suspected members of a child-stealing syndicate were on Tuesday paraded by the Anambra State Police Command. The suspects who were paraded at the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogidi in Idemili North Council Area, include a couple, Ben and Elizabeth Nwobu. The couple was nabbed by police operatives with the support of Nkpor vigilante outfit, with a two-year-old boy who they claimed was their biological child. However, after much interrogation, it was discovered that the child was stolen. In an interview, the suspects, Mr and Mrs Nwobu, claimed they adopted the child after seventeen years of childlessness, but said they did…
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied claims by an Assistant Commissioner of Police serving in Cross River State, that he was his Chief Detail and was paid N250, 000 every month. The Police Officer, Stephen Udeme Brown had in a viral audio in which he was trying to woo and have an affair with a lady, Kate Agbor, claimed that the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is still paying him salary till date even after Akpabio had left office. According to him, the payment was because he was a Chief detail to Akpabio when he was…
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says the Nigerian Government has immediately swung into action to address the incessant attack on Nigerian traders in Ghana by the Ghanaian government. Onyeama, however, said to achieve a meaningful result, the government must first get in touch with ECOWAS to know its perspective on the situation and if the Ghanaian Retail Code was in contravention to ECOWAS protocols. He was speaking when representatives of the Nigerian Traders in Ghana under the aegis of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN) paid him a visit in Abuja. The visit was necessitated by the urgent need…
There appear to be exciting days ahead for the Nigerian entertainment world as Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, launches a virtual talent contest tagged Anambra Talent UNLOCKED. While addressing a group of supporters at Oba in Idemili Council Area of Anambra State, Mr. Ozigbo explained that he launched the contest which is open to indigenes and residents of Anambra State, because he believes that the pool of talent that abounds in the state need an opportunity for expression. “Riding off the impressive success of our Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 contest, our Foundation thought it necessary to extend…
People of Alor community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State have dissociated themselves from the actions of their suspended monarch, MacAnthony Okonkwo. Okonkwo was among the 12 traditional rulers suspended last week by Governor Willie Obiano over an unapproved Abuja trip and the undignifying money-sharing video. About 7 of the suspended monarchs had described their suspension as a charade, berating the State Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, Igwe Alfred Achebe of exercising the powers he does not wield in approving that they be sanctioned by the State Government. They, therefore, withdrew their membership of the Achebe-led Council and declared…
There appears to be an internal disagreement with the Peoples Democratic Party over the zoning of the 2021 Governorship seat in Anambra State. The PDP National has maintained that it is the prerogative of the State Working Committee (SWC), to determine the issues of zoning. Clarifying what the National Vice Chairman of the party in the South-east region, Austin Umahi, said last Friday on abandoning zoning in the state, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said for the avoidance of doubt, the NWC does not get involved in the zoning of the governorship position in states. But in…
A 42-year old man, Izuchukwu Achusim has drowned in a swimming pool allegedly while on an enjoyment spree with an unidentified woman, known to be his girlfriend. The incident happened at about 8:30 pm Saturday night, at Loftus Garden Hotel, Onitsha. The victim resident at No 35 Guesthouse street, Fegge-Onitsha, who was said to have consumed a lot of alcohol and as such, became tipsy, had allegedly jumped into the deepest part of the swimming pool and got drowned. It was gathered that the hotel manager with the help of other guests at the hotel, had on the discovery that…
An Inter-ministerial Technical Experts Committee has been charged with the task of reducing the cost of governance in ministries and agencies of the Federal Government. The membership of the Committee comprises technical experts from various ministries. The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr George Akume, inaugurated the committee over the weekend in Abuja. The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his Ministry, Festus Dauda, revealed that the establishment of the committee was in keeping with one of the core mandates of the Ministry which includes coordinating the activities of other ministries, agencies, as well as…
Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro says the State Judiciary will continue to carry the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, along in the process of appointing judicial officers in the State. There have been insinuations of the NBA being sidelined in the appointment of judges in the past, a development the Association said has serious implications for justice dispensation in the state. But while receiving the newly elected Executive Officers of the Warri branch of the NBA over the weekend in his office in Asaba, Justice Umukoro said under his watch, a robust policy of inclusiveness has been adopted and…
The Northern Governors Forum has called on security agencies to investigate the claims by a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya that one of the Northern Governors is the Commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong, said they are of the opinion that the allegations are too weighty to be swept under the carpet. Lalong said the NGF which has been working with the Federal Government, security agencies, community, civil society, traditional and religious leaders as well…
Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business leader and philanthropist, has commended the Nigerian youth for their resilience and creativity despite the harsh climate in which the world is marking the 2020 International Youth Day. Mr Ozigbo made these remarks while hosting members of the VCO Youth Movement led by Innocent Ugwu who paid him a visit in Nteje, Oyi LGA of Anambra State on Wednesday. According to him, the Nigerian youth has the capacity to chart a new path for the transformation of Nigeria. “Never before has the threat and opportunities been greater for a generation of young people in Nigeria.…
The Commissioner representing Anambra in the Federal Character Commission, (FCC) Reverend Uche Ibeabuchi says under his watch, Anambra State will henceforth get its fair share in the scheme of things at the National scale. Ibeabuchi disclosed this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to State Government, Governor, Solo Chukwulobelu at the State Government House in Awka. The visit was part of efforts by the newly appointed Anambra representative in FCC, to seek a closer working relationship with the State Government for easy interaction and coordination. The FCC Commissioner informed the SSG of his readiness and…
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has slammed one-year suspension on 12 Igwes who went on a trip to Abuja allegedly without consultation or approval from the State Government. The suspension of the traditional rulers followed the recommendation of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Awka on Tuesday which centred on the public conduct of the 12 Monarchs that has been generating negative reviews in the media in the past one week. The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe had strongly condemned the…
Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council has recommended appropriate sanctions against some Anambra traditional rulers caught in a compromising circumstance in a video making the round on the internet. The viral video making the rounds online showed the traditional rulers sharing money allegedly brought by the Business tycoon, Arthur Eze who allegedly took them to Abuja, to discuss matters of the state with President Muhammadu Buhari. Eze had in recent times been at loggerheads with Governor Willie Obiano over alleged underperformance and embezzlement of local government funds by the governor. Briefing newsmen after their meeting on Tuesday, the Chairman of the…
Against the backdrop of the extension of the eased lockdown by four weeks, the Federal Government has been advised to open up the economy completely to enable the local economy to flourish. The advice came from the Member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency in National Assembly, Chinedu Obidigwe during a press interview. According to Obidigwe, as a developing nation, the Nigerian government cannot cater for the needs of the citizens and therefore needs the support of individual operators in the economy to address the numerous issues around unemployment, wealth creation and youths empowerment. These activities, he noted, have…
The Anambra State Chapter of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the group is vigorously pursuing Igbo Presidency in 2023. According to the group, it is a right to the Southeast zone and not a privilege to get the presidency in 2023. Speaking to newsmen after their meeting on Tuesday, the Anambra State Ohaneze President, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene said the leadership of Ohaneze has not mandated anyone or group to pursue the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra but Presidency of Igbo extraction. He revealed that some youths within the territory that make up the defunct Biafra…
The need for good spirited individuals and corporate organisations to invest in human capital development in the society particularly the downtrodden has been stressed. An Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of BTCBAR SZL group of label and entertainment company, Mr. Ebenezer Akarah, stated this in Asaba in a chat with TNC correspondent. Akarah who noted that the burden of providing for the less privileged in the society lies in all, urged well-meaning individuals to contribute their quota towards the upliftment of the lives of the less privileged around them. He revealed that on his capacity, he had evolved and sustained…
Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved ten private schools in the state as centres for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the National Examination Council (NECO). A statement signed by the Commissioner in the ministry, Mr. Patrick Ukah, and made available to TNC on Tuesday revealed this. According to the statement, the examination is for only JS 3 students in private schools who registered for the national BECE’ The schools include Master Care Secondary School, Asaba, Heaven Point High School, Asaba, Deeper Life High School, Opete, Udu, DSC Tech High School, Udu, Top Grade…
A factional traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Dr Austin Ndigwe has denied some demeaning statements against Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, attributed to him by a National Daily, threatening to sue the outlet. The Sun Newspapers had on Sunday, published a story where it quoted Ndigwe as saying that the Obiano administration plans to make traditional rulers in the state puppets that can be controlled to do his bidding at all times and that the monarchs should enjoy the liberty of choices too. A video clip made available to TNC had shown Ndigwe make unfounded statements against the government in…
Anambra State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the death of one of its appointees, Azubuike Ekwegbalu who was murdered over the weekend. Ekwegbalu who was the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Security was murdered in cold blood on Sunday at his residence in Awka and speculations were rife that the act may have been committed by a female acquaintance. The State Police Command had also yesterday announced that it has arrested a suspect in connection with the murder although no names we mentioned, fueling the speculations. But a statement…
A fatal accident Saturday night by New Jerusalem, Nanka, along Nanka- Oko road, Orumba North LGA of Anambra State has claimed two lives. The accident which happened at about 8.40pm involved a Mitsubishi L300 bus with enlistment number FGG212XV and a Honda C75 Motorcycle with registration number AKL843QH. According to an eye witness, both the vehicle and motorcycle were on top speed when they collided while trying to avoid potholes on the road. In a statement, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra, Pascal Anigbo said a total of four male adults were involved in…
…We have arrested one suspect- Police A Senior Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor on Security, Azubuike Ekwegbalu was today murdered in cold blood. The late Ekwegbalu was stabbed to death at his residence at Commissioner’s quarters in Awka, with his own kitchen knife at about 1:30am Sunday morning. While details made available to TNC was not precise as to the cause of the murder or the person responsible, it was alleged that the dastardly act may have been perpetrated by a female acquaintance. The deceased who is forty-three years of age, hails from Ogbunike in Oyo Council Area of…
An Ibadan-based factory, Expand Global Manufacturing Limited, has been sealed off by the Federal Government, as investigation commences into the death of a 21-year-old, Richard Gbadebo. Officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Wednesday sealed the factory located in the Oluyole area of Ibadan. Gbadebo who until his death on the 28th of July, was a 300-level student of the University of Ibadan, was a factory worker with a third party company, Henkel Nigeria Limited and was reported to have slipped into soap making machine during production and died. The Company had in a statement through its…
As part of efforts to strengthen the transparency in the election result management system, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced a dedicated public portal, the INEC RESULT VIEWING (IReV), that will enable Nigerians to view Polling Unit results real-time as the voting ends on Election Day. The initiative will be test run with the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election in Nasarawa State scheduled for Saturday 8th August 2020 and thereafter, extended to the Edo and Ondo governorship elections as well as all subsequent elections. Election result management has remained a major source of mistrust in the electoral process…
The Senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to make the right investment in science and technology so as to open up possibilities for Nigerian youths. Senator Ekwunife made the call on Thursday when she left the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on a tour of Science and Technology centres and institute across Anambra State. Among members of the visiting Senate Committee were the member representing Ebonyi Central, Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North) and Saidu Ahmed Alkali (Gombe North). The Senators were also joined on the…
The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed dismay over the decision of the Federal Government to hike the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as fuel. Coming less than three weeks after the last hike, the new PMS price regime of N150 per litre, was perceived by the group as yet another move to inflict further hardship on citizens. This is more worrisome, as it is coming at a time when the economic ravages caused by COVID-19 have accentuated the poverty in the land, the group says. A statement issued on Thursday…
A 21-year old man has been arrested by Anambra State Police Command for allegedly having carnal knowledge of two boys aged 5 and 7, against the order of nature. The suspect, Obimeze Maduabuchi Augustine is from Ofianta Village Nsugbe in Anambra East LGA but resides at Ejeagwu Estate Awka. He was arrested by operatives attached to B Division, Awka. Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed said the two victims have been taken to the hospital for medical examination. He said the state Commissioner of Police John Abang has ordered for immediate transfer of the case to the…
In response to the increasing incidence of cult activities and killings in Anambra State, a meeting of all Area Commanders, Divisional Police officers and tactical Commanders was on Wednesday summoned at the State Police Command headquarters in Awka. The meeting was held at the instance of the State Commissioner of Police, John Abang. Recent days have seen an increase in cult-related activities as well as killings across parts of the state, the latest being the shooting of a two-year-old baby in a misfired shootout in Awka. At the meeting, the Police Commissioner, Abang directed an immediate and aggressive manhunt of…
Teachers under private schools across Nigeria have been identified as the worst hit by the current schools’ lockdown occasioned by the global coronavirus pandemic. This is according to the Proprietor, Gran Hermano Academy, Chijioke Nwajioha who spoke to TNC correspondent who monitored resumption of school activities for exit classes in Anambra State. Over the past three and half months, schools across Nigeria have been shut down as part of measures to flatten the curve of the pandemic. While government school teachers did not really face many difficulties as a result of the lockdown because they were paid all through, same…
