NIGERIAN NOTCH

From Ijeoma John, Nnewi  Many people across Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo and beyond have heard the name Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna. His name is not new on the political, academic, or social landscape. He is widely respected, deeply admired, and increasingly recognized as one of the brightest and most accomplished young leaders to emerge from our constituency in recent years. Among youths, entrepreneurs, students, and everyday people, he has become more than a popular name; he is a symbol of public trust, competence, resilience, and purposeful leadership. Fondly identified with the spirit of Good Governance and Results-Based Leadership, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna has earned his reputation not through empty promises, but through excellence, discipline, visible achievement, and consistent commitment to development. Yet, for many who hear his name echoing strongly in discussions about the future of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo, the question has been: Who exactly is Am...

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, on Tuesday marked her first anniversary in office during the institution’s monthly prayer meeting held on February 4, 2026. Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Awuzie explained that the prayer session, initially scheduled for February 3, was rescheduled to enable the Polytechnic community commemorate her one year in office during the event. In her address, the Rector expressed gratitude to God for sustaining her leadership journey, noting that meaningful progress in administration is achieved not only through experience, policies, or intellect, but through total dependence on divine guidance. She urged leaders and administrators to commit their plans to God, stressing that sustainable development is achieved when leadership is guided by clarity, stability, and excellence. Dr. Awuzie called on staff of the institution to align with both God’s will and her vision for the development of the Polytechnic, expressing...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports claiming that he hosted a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his Abuja residence. Atiku, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), clarified that his interaction with Yari, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was neither planned nor held at his home. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, Atiku confirmed that the two politicians met briefly but explained that the encounter took place at the departure lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. According to the statement, Atiku was at the airport on Monday, February 2, preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj alongside family members and associates when he coincidentally met Yari and exchanged pleasantries. Ibe said the clarification became necessary following media reports suggesting that Yari had paid a private visit to Atiku’s Abuja residence. Th...

A frontline aspirant for the Nnewi North mayoralty under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Cornel Osigwe, has pledged to declare a state of emergency on primary healthcare and primary education in Nnewi if elected Mayor. Osigwe said education and healthcare form the foundation of any progressive society, warning that neglecting primary schools and community health centres amounts to mortgaging the future of the people. Speaking while outlining his policy priorities, the aspirant described the condition of many primary schools in Nnewi as unacceptable, despite efforts by the Anambra State Government to recruit qualified teachers. While commending Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for employing competent teachers, Osigwe noted that quality teaching cannot thrive in dilapidated learning environments marked by leaking roofs, cracked walls, overcrowded classrooms and lack of basic learning facilities. According to him, his administration would declare a state of eme...

Participants at the Conference on Generation of Wealth from Waste: Briquette as Energy Source for Domestic and Industrial Uses have received certificates of participation from the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. The beneficiaries, who are staff of the institution, took part in the conference organised on December 9, 2025, by the Renewable Energy Research and Departmental Centre of the polytechnic. The event was aimed at creating awareness on the use of briquettes as a sustainable alternative energy source to conventional fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to environmental pollution through carbon dioxide emissions. Briquettes, the organisers noted, that the programme also offered them a practical solution to deforestation by reducing dependence on firewood and other traditional energy sources, thereby promoting a cleaner and healthier environment. The participants were led to the Rector’s office for the presentation of certificates...

Youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on the people of South-East to shut the Monday sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.  It could be recalled that as part of the raging controversy involving Onitsha Main Market traders and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful said there will be a sit-at-home across the South-East tomorrow, Monday, February 2.  However, Ohanaeze youths in a statement issued on Sunday by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged all the residents of South-East to go about the lawful businesses.  Okwu, who described the sit-at-home directive as self-serving, noted that Ndigbo would no longer be drawn into non-profitable ventures.  He recalled that IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had on several occasions warned against any form of sit-at-home in the South-East.  “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu spoke clearly that he wa...

The Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) has endorsed the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Okafor, for a second term in office, while also donating the sum of ₦2 million in support of his re-election bid. The endorsement was announced on Saturday, January 30, during the association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Awka South Local Government Secretariat. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of TOAN, Hon. Prince Collins Ozojiofor, said the gathering was convened not only to deliberate on issues affecting the welfare of members and challenges with enforcement agencies, but also to formally endorse the council chairman for a second term. According to him, the association resolved to support Okafor after reviewing his administration’s policies and programmes, particularly his interventions in favour of tricycle operators across the local government area. “We, the tricycle operators, having seen the level of support from the Mayo...

Ambassador Ikebunwa Lotanna a frontline aspirant for the Nnewi Federal constituency under the ADC platform has extended warm February greetings to the people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo, and Nigerians nationwide, describing the new month as a season of love, hope, and renewed commitment to collective progress. In a goodwill message to mark the beginning of February, Amb. Lotanna expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stressing the resilience, strength, and untapped potential of its people. “February, the month of love, offers us another opportunity to reaffirm our faith in one another and in our nation,” he said. “We are stronger than we often imagine, more capable than we sometimes realize, and united in our shared desire for progress and prosperity.” Reaffirming his dedication to public service, he noted that it remains a privilege to serve the people and to champion initiatives aimed at transforming communities and improving lives. “I remain steadfast in my...

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and aspirant in the forthcoming Nnewi North Local Government Area election, Mr. Nnanna Osita Nzewi, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, announced his withdrawal from the council chairmanship race, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in Nnewi. Nzewi made the announcement at a media press conference held at Dove Resort, Nnewi, where he addressed developments surrounding the Nnewi North Local Government Area election, the issue of rotational arrangements, and rising political tensions within the one community LGA, particularly in Nnewichi. He said his decision to speak publicly was informed by his deep roots in Nnewi and Nnewichi, noting that peace, genuine brotherhood, and sincere engagement must always take precedence over personal political ambition whenever Nnewi is faced with sensitive choices, like the present one. According to him, although public discourse has largely centred on rotation of the ch...

Aspirant for the position of Mayor in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra state, on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Cornel Osigwe, has promised to replicate the giant strides of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in the council area. He gave the assurance on Friday, January 30, while fielding questions from newsmen at his Nnewichi country home. Mr. Osigwe, a frontline contender for the race, noted that Nnewi, the one-time local government area, stands at a defining moment in its history, and needs an administrator at the grassroots, who understands what it means to pool human and material resources together to achieve a defined goal. He said, "Our governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, is working relentlessly to build a prosperous, livable, and smart Anambra state. His vision is bold, transformative, and people-centered. However, for that vision to be fully realized, it must be translated to the grassroots level, where g...