NIGERIAN NOTCH

Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontrunner ahead of the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, has congratulated the millions of Nigerians worldwide as the country marks its 21st Democracy Day.  In a Democracy Day statement issued from his campaign office in Awka on Saturday, June 12, 2021, Mr Ozigbo said Nigeria is currently going through a period of uncertainty and turbulence. He called for urgent intervention to save the country's democracy and set her back on the path to peace.  He lamented the many tragedies of the country's history and "inexcusable missed opportunities" and called for a review of the leadership recruitment process. "Nigeria is a country that tells a story of enormous promise and unimaginable tragedy all at once. While we can boast of numerous bright spots, the most being our tremendous human talent and capital, we also have tales of inexcusable missed opportunities. "It is a settled fact that a s

It is a truism that ISOPADEC before now is synonymous to corruption and in fact one can posit that this commission is not just a cash cow of the government but a beehive of unscrupulous activities. These unchecked attitudes and sense of work has further endangered the lives and socio-economic development of the rich oil regions and constantly defeats the purposes for which the commission was created for. The overriding idiosyncrasy is that so far it is government work then anything and everything is free to happen. What a bizarre mindset!. The shared prosperity government of Gov. Hope Uzodimma met an ISOPADEC without a leadership yet he wasn’t in a hurry to name one not because there are no competent men and women for the job but he needed one that shares in his dreams for the oil region, someone who doesn’t see things from the perspective of business as usual and a leader who can be able to say NO to corruption and stand by it despite the threats. Within one year of the shared prosper

Imo state governor Senator Hope Uzodinma, has used this year's democracy day celebration to call for peace in the state.  In a state wide broadcast the govenor said "Some of us may not appreciate the freedom embedded in democracy because we take it for granted. But when we realize that it is a potent weapon with which we determine those who preside over our affairs, we will appreciate the fact that democracy remains the best form of government the world over." Continuing, the govenor said, that one major attribute of democracy that has for centuries made it the best form of government is that it provides the political space to resolve seemingly intractable social- political and ethnic issues, through robust dialogue without recourse to violence.  The govenor in the address further noted that Ndi Imo can achieve greater things through the same method because no issue, no matter how intractable it may appear, is ever too difficult to resolve through constructive engagement

In celebration of Nigeria's Democracy Day, Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, Chairman/CEO, Wichtech Group and the frontline gubernatorial Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming Anambra election has sued for patience and peace from Nigerians arguing that Democracy is a "journey and not a destination". Speaking through his media office, Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo asked Nigerians not to despair, but continue to contribute their own quota to the development of our democracy.  "Democracy is a journey, and as we have seen with the most developed nations, it is a process that never ends. Every critical national juncture is an opportunity to improve our democracy and for the past 22 years, our democracy has been improving bit by bit, and when we take this small changes cumulatively, we would see that there's a lot of improvements" he said. "Democracy demands a lot of patience, persistence and responsibility. The followers ought to always esc

Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that his administration will continue to provide support and assistance to the Business Community at the NNPC Depot at Osisioma to ensure that it continues to render its supply services to the State and entire South East region. Governor Ikpeazu who disclosed this while receiving a delegation of the Depot Community comprising of executive members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN), the Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) and the Independent Marketers BRANCH (IMB) at the Governor's Lodge Aba said that the State Government recognizes the relevance and strategic roles the Depot plays in the State and National economies.  He said that the desire of his administration to reconstruct the Osisioma - Eke Akpara - Owerrinta Road with rigid Pavement technology up to Eke Akpara was to give the Petroleum dealers a conducive business environment that will facilitate their operations and regretted that the Federal Government deci

  ~  VOWS DECISIVE ACTION ON THOSE ATTACKING SECURITY PERSONNEL     President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Lagos reiterated that his directive to security agencies, to shoot any person or persons found illegally wielding AK-47s and other assault weapons, remains in place.   The President also vowed that his administration will act firmly and decisively ‘‘against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel.’’   The President spoke at the handing over of security equipment by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu  to the Lagos State Police Command during his one-day official visit to the State.   President Buhari warned that ‘‘a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction.’’   ‘‘As Commander-in-chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. Despite the many challenges w

Several communities in Abia State were yesterday (Monday) thrown into darkness as a result of vehicular accident involving a Toyota Corolla saloon car at Ohiya, Umuahia, along Enugu - Port Harcourt expressway. This development was made known by the Head, Corporate Communications of the Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC), Mr. Emeka Ezeh. According to Ezeh, the incident claimed about 14 High Tension poles, including five 40 feet poles, with cross arms, pot insulators, stays, disc insulators, and j-hooks. "Our Obowo, Nkwoegwu, and Ntigha 33KV feeders, as well as the adjoining Nkwoegwu, Amaogwugwu, Abiriba, Amachara, and Ekenobis 11KV feeders were all affected", he lamented. The communities affected by this mishap includes, Nkwoegwu, Uzuakoli, Isiukwuato, Ntigha, Mbawsi, Ngwa axis, Abiriba, Amaogwugwu, Mgbaja Osa, Ogbogi Ukwu, Ogbogi Umuonya, Umuekwule Umuokpara, Dike Nta, Dike Ukwu, Ehume, Ogbodinibe, Umuajameze, amongst others.  It was gathered that the EEDC team immedia

  The Federal Government has declared Monday, 14th June, 2021 as public holiday to mark this year's Democracy Day celebration. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion and urged all citizens to support the present administration in its efforts at ensuring a United and prosperous Nation. Aregbesola said any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all, saying the space known as Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love his or her neighbour and  embrace the spirit of brotherliness. "As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one United and Indivisible Entity. No development can take place in an acrimonious environment," he stressed "With the challenges we face in Nige

The state chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Marcillinus O. Nlemigbo at the party's secretariate received in audience a group under the auspices of Great G27 otherwise known as Local Government Coordinators of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume's Destiny Organization led by Chief Sir ADC Uche who collapsed its structures across the wards of the 27 LGAs into the mainstream party. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Sir Uche expressed the resolution of his group to formally reaffirm their collective support and solidarity to the APC led government of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, whom they discribed as a visionary and phenomenal servant leader whose commitment to reconstruct, rehabilitate and recover Imo State has earned him wide admiration and commendation. According to him "as former Local Government Coordinators of Destiny Organization across the state, we are here to reaffirm our decision to join the party as true party men and women to s

Two native doctors who allegedly prepare charms for the members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, and nine other members said to have carried out attack on Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma’s hometown in Omuma Oru East local government area, have all been arrested. They were arrested in their shrine in a bush near Njaba River in Imo state, said to be planning for another attack. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, told newsmen in Owerri, that the arrest of the native doctors and others, were made possible when one of the ESN, suspect earlier arrested had led the security operatives to the bush where their camp was located. The names of the ESN native doctors, were given as Chinedu Nwakaire “Male” aka “One Door” 48 years old Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu “Male” 40 years old. The police had earlier explained how they were arrested: “In consonance with the mandate given to the operatives of the Command by IGP Alkali Baba Usman to fish out all criminal elem

The Imo state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday cautioned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against dragging it into partisan politics. The NLC took exception to the press release by the PDP wherein it listed non payment of salaries as one of the reasons why it asked Governor Hope Uzodinma to resign. In a joint statement by the organised Labour in Imo State, signed by the Ag chairman of NLC, Comrade Philipi Nwansi, the state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Commrade Tangban Nkim, and the state chairman of JPSNC, Commrade Alloy Iwuanyanwu, the labour leaders denied having any salaries issue with the state government. ” Concerning the issue of salaries and pensions, organized labour has engaged the state government meaningfully and most outstanding matters in that regard have been adequately handled with our instrumentality of labour mechanism and approach”. It expressed outrage that the PDP wanted to drag it into its altercation with the ruling APC, describing t

~says his dad never helped Uzodinma in wining APC primaries in Imo Dr Mustapha Gulak is the first son of Ahmed Gulak, the slain All Progressives Congress chieftain and former political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan. He tells HINDI LIVINUS in this interview that the alleged N10bn reward due to his father from Governor Hope Uzodimma is a conspiracy theory Do you think your father’s life was cut short at its prime when it looked most promising? I am Dr Mustapha Gulak, the first son of Ahmed Gulak. I am a graduate of Medicine and I’m 34 years of age. To be candid as a Muslim, whatever God has destined, no one can change it. We don’t question God. His loss is painful. As far as I am concerned, my dad passed away at a young age. No one in the family saw that coming, but then, it is the will of God. As a Muslim, I take it the way it is. I can tell you that my father was a true Nigerian. He didn’t differentiate if you are from the South or the North, or whether you are a Christ

On Saturday morning between 11 am and 12 pm, as Nigerians woke up to the reality of a Twitter ban, and downloading Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access Twitter, the Nigerian government, through the office of the Presidency, reached out to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) to discuss plans to build an internet firewall, FIJ reports. The government officials present at the meeting include Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to the President, and Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture. The internet firewall is a way of having a separate network for the Nigerian Internet that will give the government control over social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.  This is similar to the internet filtering system China operates, called the Great Firewall. Cost Of Twitter Ban Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learnt that Nigeria loses over N2 billion to Twitter shutdown in the country on a daily basis. This was disclosed by NetBlocks, which put the total cost impact of

Valentine Ozigbo, business mogul and international sports developer, has condemned the suspension of Twitter's operations in Nigeria by the Nigerian government.  On Friday, June 4, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari-led central government announced a suspension of the operations of the social media platform after Twitter deleted a tweet by the Nigerian president which the platform considered harmful to its community.  In a statement issued on Sunday, June 6, 2021, Mr Ozigbo called on the federal government to reconsider its stand on the suspension of the operations of the microblogging platform. According to him, the ban contradicts the constitutional rights of Nigerians to express their thoughts freely and access information.  The respected business expert remarked that the move by the federal government was "hasty and not well thought through".  "The suspension of the operations of the social media giant, Twitter, by Nigeria's central government is regrettable&qu

  The Anglican Youths Fellowship of St. Mary's Parish Ukpo has honoured Ichie Sir Izuchukwu Nwabueze and Sir. Jideofor  Aguona Okoye with Awards of Appreciation for their numerous support to the Church and the Youths. These Awards were presented by Revd Paul Nwoye with the assistance of the AYF Leader- Mr Chigozie Oranu during today's service June 06, 2021 being St. Mary's Parish/ Awka Diocesan Youth Sunday to mark the 2021 youth Sunday celebration. Ichie Sir Izuchukwu Nwabueze and Sir Jideofor Aguona Okoye are also patrons of the Anglican Youths Fellowship. While speaking with newsmen Ichie Sir Izuchukwu Nwabueze thanked the youths for finding him worthy of such honor and promised to be a good ambassador of the youths wherever he is. Ichie Nwabueze however said that his recognition did not come as a surprise to him, but was based on hardwork and diligence over the years, as well as his support to the church and the youths.  He urged the youths in the church to be steadfast

  By Bala Ibrahim. It is no longer news that last week, precisely on Friday, 04/06,21, the government of Nigeria had announced an indefinite suspension of the operations of Twitter, the super blogger and social networking service from the country. The suspension was announced by Mr. Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of Information, who said, “ The suspension was hinged on the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”. However, rather than checking for the reasons that triggered the suspension, with special focus to whether they have any bearing with the status of the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country, traducers, who shamelessly engage in attacking reputations through slander or libel, stupidly took to the press, by twisting the truth in defence of Twitter’s rashness.  Twitter is a social broadcast network that enables people and organizations to publicly share brief messages instantly around the world. Through

The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has confirmed death of its founder and General Overseer Prophet TB Joshua. It said Joshua died in Lagos on Saturday after concluding a church programme. His last words, according to the church, were “Watch and pray.” Joshua was 57. The church made the announcement in a post on the TB Joshua Ministries official Facebook handle. The post reads: “PROPHET TB JOSHUA – JUNE 12th 1963 to JUNE 5th 2021 “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” – Amos 3:7 ‘’On Saturday 5th June 2021, Prophet TB Joshua spoke during the Emmanuel TV Partners Meeting: “Time for everything – time to come here for prayer and time to return home after the service.   ‘’God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home – as it should be by divine will. His last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for. ‘’As Prophet TB Joshua says, “The greatest way to use life

The Imo police command in the early hours of today foiled an attack on Imo Police Command by suspected hoodlums. In a press release made avaliable to Nigerian Notch by SP Bala Elkana, the PPRO Imo police command reads thus " Hoodlums masquerading as unknown gunmen attempted an attack on the Police Headquarters this morning but suffered a huge defeat." He said that the hoodlums who made effort to access the Police Headquarters through Works Layout around Avan Nursery and Primary School but were vehemently repelled by gallant men of the command with maximum force. He said that they came in a white Hummer bus, and also confirmed that five of the hoodlums was killed during an exchange of fire as others were injured.  The Hummer bus has been recovered. Two Ak47 rifles were  also recovered.  More details later