NIGERIAN NOTCH

...Advises Them Not to Lower Standard   By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu As Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State prepares to handover to the Governor-Elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on March 17 2022, the Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese His Lordship Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has exhortated the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA led Anambra State Government not to lower the standard of governance in the State, saying that the trust and confidence repose in the party by the electorate should not be taken for granted.  Bishop Ezeokafor who stated this at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Awka during a victory Thanksgiving Mass organized in the honour of APGA, Anambra State Chapter said that the APGA's feat in the last gubernatorial election was destined by God.  'Your victorious outing in the last gubernatorial election in the state was made possible by God. It was a hard-fought victory. We all witnessed what happened before the election. I'm not a...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha in court over an alleged N2.9Billion fraud. Okorocha will be arranged alongside a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, and five companies before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Vanguard reports. The five companies are Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited. In a 17-count charge before the high Court of Abuja, the anti-graft agency alleged that Okorocha and the other defendants siphoned public funds from the Imo State Government House account and Imo State Joint Local Government Project account into their personal accounts for their own use.  According to the commission, the Okorocha, who is the senator representing Imo West and the other defendants committed the offence October 2014 and February 201...

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has, on Monday, rejected a bail application by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari. Ruling, Justice Ekwo ordered Kyari to serve the Federal Government with the processes filed before the hearing of the application. The judge held that the allegations made against the respondent are weighty, requiring that the court grant it an opportunity to be heard before a decision it taken. Kyari is, in the substantive suit, challenging his continued detention by an agency of the Federal Government. He claimed to be suffering from chronic diabetes, which he said was threatening his life and therefore requires urgent medical attention. The judge adjourned till February 24 for further hearing of the application.

... You Have 7-Days To Fish Out Perpetrators, Ikpeazu Told The leadership of Ohanaeze Youth Council led by comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, has condemned vehemently the recent gruesome killing of traders and cattle at  Omumauzo Aba Cattle Market, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. Joining it's voice with that of notable Igbo leaders prominent among whom is Chief Anyim Pius Anyim the former Secretary of the government of the federation, the Council, on Monday 21st February 2022, in Umuahia charged the Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to produce perpetrators of the evil act within in a space of 7-days. "OYC Insists that the Governor of Abia State must arrested those responsible for the sacrilegious act within 7 Days or face massive resistance and civil disobedience in Abia State." Embittered Igboayaka described the gory incident as unfortunate and a ploy by "some faceless and ungodly persons whose main objective is to keep maiming the precious lives of ...

Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba has commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for all his efforts in ensuring that his government leaves a legacy of durable infrastructure in Imo State. The Archbishop bared his mind on Sunday in his sermon at the dedication of the newly built Cathedral Church of St. Peter Umuokanne, Ohaji in Ohaji/Egbema local government areas of Imo State. The Primate who regretted that those in positions of authority are facing challenging times today due to insecurity and other forms of injustices was, however, full of praises for Governor Uzodimma over the latter's policies on strategic infrastructural renewal in Imo. Ndukuba's words: "As I drove to Orlu yesterday (Saturday), Your Excellency, I saw the road you are doing from Owerri to Orlu. There are also others around the State. God will stand by you and help you do more. This is a very uncertain time and a very challenging time for every leader in the country. God will help you." He said Governor Uzodimma's...

- POURS OUT LIBATION TO THE GODS OF THE LAND - SHOWERS HIM WITH ROYAL BLESSINGS As the Imo State House of Assembly Bye Election Date Draws Closer, the Council of Traditional Rulers in Ngor Okpala LGA have endorsed the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu as one who is suitable of representing their people and bringing home development to the people. The Traditional Rulers evoked the gods of the land with libation and went further to shower Royal Blessings upon Okenze Blyden at the palace of the Chairman of Ngor Okpala Council of traditional rulers, HRH Eze Fred Nwachukwu (Ogboro 1 of Ngor)  This happened upon the arrival of the Members of APC Campaign train to pay homage to the Mornachs thereby making his aspirations known to them. While receiving Amajirionwu and his entourage to his palace, HRH Eze Fred Nwachukwu described Blyden as a Worthy Son of Ngor Okpala  Who has always identified with the Traditional institution in Ngor...

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it may be forced to postpone the 2023 elections if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to assent to the reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill by Tuesday. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this in an interview with  Sunday Vanguard. According to him, there are some fundamental timelines in the new electoral bill that will fundamentally affect the electoral legal framework. Recall  that on November 23, 2021, Buhari declined assent to the bill, citing insecurity, cost of conducting direct primaries and infringement on the rights of Nigerians as his reasons. The rejection was conveyed in letters written to the National Assembly. He also said the decision was based on informed advice by relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government, and a careful review of the bill in light of the current realities in Nigeria. The bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assem...

- Youth empowerment, cardinal part of my govt, Uzodimma assures Imo youths Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has distributed 2,700 smartphones and two cars to Imo youths as part of activities marking the St Valentine’s Day celebration. Uzodimma, who distributed the gifts during the ‘Hope for Imo’ Valentine Concert in Owerri on Saturday, also promised the recipients free airtime and data subscriptions. The two brand new Greely cars were presented to Mr Joshua Okeke from Orlu LGA and Miss Blessing Emekwe from Ikeduru LGA, who were winners in a lucky deep conducted at the venue of the programme. The governor reinstated his commitment to youth empowerment through job creation and called on the youths to help fish out criminal elements disturbing the peace of the state. He promised to replicate the gesture in the three senatorial zones of the state so that the technical empowerment would get to all the youths of the state. “I have come to give the youths the opportunity to be part of government and...

Ezekwuabor Community in Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi LGA has elected a new executive to pilot the affairs of the Community for another 4 years. This is coming at the the heels of a long wait by the community to have an elected leadership in the community.  Members of the new executive are Mr Udewulu Ezika, President Ezekwuabor community,secretary Mr Emma Agu,asistant secretary Mr Edwin Anaekwe,financial secretary Mr chibuzo ifeanyi,Mr Nchekwube Okoli treasurer, Mr Chigozie Okoli PRO, Chief provost Mr Aloy Okonkwo.  Speaking to newsmen after his election, the elected President General of Ezekwuabor Community, Mr Udewulu Ezika, thanked members of the Community for electiing him and his members to pilot the affairs of the Community. He promised to work hand in glove to ensure that the Community gets what is due to them.  He also promised to bring together the warring parties in the community to a round so that any issues within the community will be resolved.

The African nion Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) says Nigeria recorded tremendous successes in infrastructure development and agricultural revolution during the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Princess Gloria Akobundu, Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday. Akobundu said that the country also recorded successes in humanitarian services and fight against corruption. The APRM is governance arm that NEPAD established in 2003 by Heads of States and Government of African Union as a unique accountability method for African countries to review each other’s governance. She said that the country was highly commended at the 31st APR forum on Feb.4. “The review report was far-reaching and encompassed various segments of the socio-political economy and highlighted the developments recorded since the first peer review in 2008. “The President has assured that the government will effectively implement ...

The newly elected leadership of Ogbaru Relief Market in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state, still insist that Election into various offices of the market union was free, fair and credible, as it stated by the call by some disgruntled elements in the market hiding under the platform of traders with fake names are at it again.  Rising from a high profile meeting of the new executive, the assistant secretary of the market Mr Bucknor, said that traders in the market did not reject any election as that was the figment of the imagination of those that think that they can use blackmail to arm twist the goverment in doing their bidding.  He said that those calling for protest where the same people who were also calling for elections before now, thinking they will win the election which they lost because of their highandededness and greed.  Chief Bucknor however said that the names they used as their spokesperson was a fititious name as there is no name like Chinyelugo Nnamekwu, rather w...