NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Chika Nweke The Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, Professor PUIE V.C Okoye, has stated that aligning the university, industry and government in areas of development will foster as well as hasten human and economic growth in Anambra State and beyond. The University Don who spok e during the quarterly Business Roundtable on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026 at the Business school Hall, had its Theme: "Anambra Triple Helix System: University - Industry - Government Alignment", noted that the occasion was in collaboration with with the Anambra State ministry of Industry, Mines and Agriculture. In his welcome address, Prof Okoye said "the roundtable is a physical gathering of strategic platform for dialogue and action. It seeks to ensure that research output from Nnamdi Azikiwe University are aligned with the needs of industry, while government policies remain responsive to the realities of businesses across Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi." He further ...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of official recognition of the rival factions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing ongoing legal disputes. In a statement issued by the Commission’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu, INEC said it would no longer accept correspondence from either the faction led by David Mark or that of Rafiu Bala. The electoral body added that it would also refrain from monitoring any meetings, congresses, or conventions organised by the two groups pending the resolution of the matter before the Federal High Court. INEC said the decision followed its review of a recent Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, which relates to the leadership tussle within the party. As part of the directive, the Commission disclosed that it would remove the name of David Mark from its official portal in relation to the party’s leadership. The crisis within the ADC intensi...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, has deployed no fewer than 1,500 personnel, including Special Marshals, to strategic traffic points across the state to ensure a safe and hitch-free Easter celebration. The Command disclosed that emergency response teams have also been placed on high alert to promptly attend to any incidents during the festive period. Critical operational assets, including tow trucks, patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and ambulances, have been mobilised to manage road obstructions and emergencies. Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, urged motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and exercise caution, particularly as vehicular movement is expected to increase during the holidays. She also called on passengers to take responsibility for their safety by wearing seat belts, discouraging overloading, and reporting reckless driving to the appropriate authorities. “We urge all road users to ...

From Chinwe Onuigbo, Anambra  As global attention turns to consumer protection, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has renewed its call for manufacturers to prioritize safety and quality in the production of goods, emphasizing that consumer well-being must remain central to sustainable economic growth. In an interview with Voice of Nigeria marking the recent World Consumer Rights Day, Engr. Obialor Francisca, Zonal Coordinator of the FCCPC Southeast Zone, stressed the importance of producing safe and healthy products to safeguard consumers and strengthen trust in markets. “The World Consumer Rights Day is the only globally recognized day dedicated to promoting consumer rights and needs,” she said. “The 2026 theme, ‘Safe Products, Confident Consumers,’ highlights the urgent need for secure and trustworthy goods in both physical and digital marketplaces.” She noted that as e-commerce continues to expand rapidly, ensuring product safety has ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, on Tuesday received a delegation from the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) during a courtesy visit to her office. The delegation, led by NAPS Senate President, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, was in the institution for its senate sitting. Speaking during the visit, Ayomide expressed appreciation to the Rector for what he described as her motherly disposition towards students and her unwavering support for student union activities. He disclosed that several institutions were approached to host the NAPS senate sitting but none responded positively until Federal Polytechnic Oko granted approval. He commended Dr. Awuzie for her prompt response and for fostering a student-friendly administration. “We are proud of your leadership and delighted to associate with Federal Polytechnic Oko,” he said. The NAPS Senate President further revealed that the Rector has been nominated for the “Best Rector of th...

Fresh concerns have emerged over the implementation of Nigeria’s prepaid metering policy as the President-General of one of the communities in Osumenyi, Nnewi south, Anambra State, Sir Tony Nzekwe, has questioned why electricity consumers are still being asked to pay for meters despite Federal Government assurances that they are free. Nzekwe’s query comes amid widespread confusion following recent directives by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Federal Ministry of Power that meters supplied under government-backed programmes should be installed at no cost to consumers. Speaking on the issue, the community leader described the situation as contradictory, noting that many residents in Anambra and beyond continue to face demands for payment before installation of prepaid meters. He called on relevant authorities to provide clear and consistent communication to electricity users, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency on whether they are expec...

Nigeria’s banking sector is bracing for a new phase of competition as the deadline for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s recapitalisation programme expires tomorrow, with 33 banks having raised a combined ₦4.6 trillion to strengthen their capital base and expand lending capacity. Industry analysts say the successful capital mobilisation—achieved through rights issues, public offers, private placements and strategic investments—has set the stage for an intense battle among banks to deploy funds into profitable sectors of the economy. The recapitalisation exercise has significantly bolstered the financial strength of participating institutions, positioning them to finance large-scale transactions and support economic growth. However, attention is now shifting from capital raising to efficient deployment, which experts say will ultimately determine returns to shareholders. International Banks Exceed Benchmarks Under the revised CBN guidelines, commercial banks with internati...

An African Democratic Congress (ADC) stakeholder in Anambra, Amb. Lotanna Ikebunwa, has donated ₦1 million to support beneficiaries of the “One Girl, Two Skills” Empowerment Programme, reinforcing efforts to promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurship among young women. The donation was announced during the graduation ceremony of the programme held at Obi Uruagu Palace, Nnewi, Anambra State, where participants who underwent months of vocational training were formally celebrated. The initiative, organised by Hon. Mrs. Ijeoma Ike in collaboration with Nnewi Progressive Mandate, trained young girls aged 16 and above in practical, income-generating skills, including cosmetology, makeup artistry, cake and pastry production, and event decoration. Speaking at the event, Lotanna commended the organisers for what he described as a “forward-looking intervention,” noting that empowering young women with relevant skills remains key to reducing unemployment and fostering economic gr...

The Anambra State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified its public enlightenment drive with a sensitisation outreach to Life of Faith Gospel Assembly, aimed at promoting safer road use and reducing traffic crashes. The exercise, held on March 29, 2026, featured a comprehensive lecture delivered by the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, who addressed the congregation on the theme, “Getting to Your Destination Safely is in Your Hands.” In her address, Asekhauno stressed that most road traffic crashes are caused by human actions rather than external or spiritual forces, urging road users to take personal responsibility for their safety and that of others. She advised parents to ensure that infants are properly secured in the back seats of vehicles, cautioned against the use of mobile phones while driving, and warned against overloading vehicles. The Sector Commander also called on motorists and other road users to ...

Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), entrepreneur, and grassroots mobiliser, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Real Estate Management and Corporate Governance by European-American University. The conferment ceremony, held at Ibis Hotel Ikeja, attracted a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, political stakeholders, business leaders, and well-wishers from across the country. The recognition comes amid Lotanna’s growing profile both in business and politics. Widely regarded as a rising force within the ADC, he has continued to build strong grassroots support while maintaining a thriving career in Nigeria’s real estate sector. He began his journey as a realtor with PWAN Group, where his performance and professionalism earned him national recognition. In 2025, he emerged as one of Nigeria’s top-performing realtors, recording property sales exceeding ₦1.5 billion within a year—an achievement that set him apart in the indus...