NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Ukpa Ewa  Journalists in Anambra State have been urged to improve the quality, sensitivity and ethical standard of reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as the menace continues to grow due to deep rooted cultural norms and weak enforcement structures. The charge was made during a one day capacity building workshop in Awka for media personnel on GBV reportage, content development and amplifying survivor voices. The training, titled “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations " was implemented by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WomenAid Collective (WACOL). Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of GPSDC, Mrs. Eucharia Anakwe said many GBV cases collapse at the police level because the media often publicise details prematurely, enabling perpetrators to flee. She noted that improved reportage...

FirstPower Electricity Distribution Limited (FPEDL) has announced that several parts of Anambra State will experience a planned power outage on Sunday, December 7, 2025, to allow for critical maintenance and upgrade work by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). According to a statement signed by the management of FPEDL, the interruption—scheduled to last from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—is necessary to enable TCN engineers to install a TR13 60MVA transformer and reconfigure outgoing feeders at the Onitsha Transmission Station. To create a safe operational environment for the technical crew, the MOBITRA 40MVA and 45MVA transformers, along with the 1T1 100MVA 132/33KV transformer, will be temporarily shut down during the exercise. As a result, the following 33KV feeders will be affected: Army Barracks, Awada, Obosi, Umunya, Juddy Bolema, Nnewi Oba, Nnewi Industrial, Ossomala, 3-3, Niccus and Ogidi. Also affected are the Nwaziki 11KV and Woliwo 11KV feeders. Customers served ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has presented certificates to staff who successfully completed the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI)—a comprehensive digital skills training sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The capacity-building programme, conducted by the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), equipped staff with critical 21st-century competencies, including digital literacy and cybersecurity, ICT office productivity tools, e-teaching and e-learning technologies, data analysis and visualization using SPSS and Power BI, as well as collaboration and emerging technology skills. Speaking at the certificate-presentation ceremony, Dr. Awuzie said the initiative aligns with her administration’s commitment to strengthening staff capacity and advancing the digital transformation of the institution’s academic and administrative systems. According to her, empowering staff with modern ICT skills...

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Wednesday received a delegation of prominent political figures at his Abuja office in what analysts describe as another sign of emerging political recalibrations ahead of the 2027 general elections. The delegation comprised former Osun State governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba (PhD); former Niger State CPC Chairman, Hon. Umar Shuaibu; and serving Benue lawmaker, Hon. Samuel Godday. While the meeting was officially described as a courtesy and solidarity visit, its timing has drawn attention against the backdrop of early political projections indicating that opposition movements and emergent coalitions may intensify efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) through the ballot in 2027. Since the end of the 2023 election cycle, several pol...

The Ndiakwu Otolo Community Meeting, Lagos branch, has commemorated its 50th anniversary with the launch of an ambitious ₦200 million building project, aimed at securing a permanent home for the association after five decades of holding meetings in rented venues across Lagos. The golden jubilee celebration, held in Lagos, brought together members, leaders, and supporters of the community to reflect on its journey since its establishment in 1974 and to chart a new course for the future. Speaking at the event, former chairman and patron of the association, Prince Christopher Nwobi, expressed gratitude to God for the community’s growth over the past 50 years. He noted that the new building marks a major milestone in the association’s history and will solidify its presence in Lagos. “For over five decades, we have relied on rented halls for our meetings. That model is no longer sustainable,” he said. “This new structure, already sited on secured land, will not only serve as our...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State, as a non-career ambassador, marking a significant return to public service for the respected philanthropist and advocate for women’s empowerment. Ohakim, widely regarded for her humanitarian work and influence in community development across the South-East, joins a select group of distinguished Nigerians chosen for ambassadorial appointments. Her nomination underscores the administration’s recognition of citizens with strong leadership backgrounds and national influence. The President also forwarded the names of former Rivers State sole administrator and ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and former Minister of Interior and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), as non-career ambassadors. Chioma Ohakim’s inclusion has drawn attention within diplomatic and political circles, with many describing it as a strategic move that bring...

...Lauds Tinubu's Choice Of Defence Minister  Anambra-born international security expert Amb. Dr. John Metchie has commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State for equipping very well-trained forest security guards with sophisticated guns and other technologically-driven gadgets to fight Kidnappers, bandits and other terrorist groups operating in the forest regions.  Metchie also commended Governor Mbah for the launch of security drones with capacities to mount surveillance in the entire Enugu state and beyond; describing it as a high profile initiative intended to detect as well as nip criminal activities in the bud.  Giving the commendations in an exclusive interview with this journalist, the security expert, said Governor Mbah's decision to train and equip forest guards with state-of-the-art security apparatus was a bold and courageous step taken in the right direction inorder to combat criminal insurgents lurking in the forested areas of the state...

The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has congratulated former Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his induction into the Hall of Fame of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council. The NUJ, under the leadership of Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, announced that Ugwuanyi would be formally inducted on Thursday, citing his outstanding performance in office and his cordial relationship with journalists throughout his tenure. Reacting to the development, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the honour as both timely and well deserved. He commended the NUJ for recognizing excellence and noted that the recognition was especially significant since it came after Ugwuanyi had left office. “This underscores a fundamental truth: while in positions of authority, people observe our actions, and history ultimately records them—either in a book of infamy or a book of honour,” Okwu said. “In the cas...

Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, has been commended by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide for his landmark commitment to education in the newly presented 2026 budget. Governor Mbah on Tuesday submitted a historic ₦1.62 trillion budget proposal to the Enugu State House of Assembly. Titled “Budget of Renewed Momentum,” the proposal allocates ₦1.296 trillion (80%) to capital expenditure and ₦321.3 billion (20%) to recurrent spending, bringing the total to ₦1,617,397,465,000. A breakdown of the social sector shows that education received the largest share—32.27%—the highest allocation in the state’s history. Reacting to the development shortly after the presentation, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, praised Governor Mbah for his visionary leadership and urged other South-East governors to follow suit. He described the governor’s consistent prioritization of education since assuming office as a firm indication...

Federal Polytechnic Oko has elected Dr. Ferguson Chukwudozie Ezeokafor as the institution’s new Deputy Rector (Administration), following a keenly contested election conducted by the Academic Board on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The election took place during the Academic Board meeting presided over by the Rector and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. In line with the provisions of the Polytechnic Act, Dr. Awuzie nominated two candidates for the position: Dr. Ferguson Ezeokafor, the current Director of Academic Planning, and Dr. Elias Okeke, Head of the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Ezeokafor secured the highest number of votes to emerge as Deputy Rector (Administration)–elect. In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Ezeokafor expressed profound gratitude to the Rector and members of the Academic Board for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged unwavering support to the Rector’s administration and reaffirmed his commitment to contributing meaningfully to the continue...