Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah

Eight suspected kidnappers alleged to have been terrorizing Okeogun area have been paraded by the Agro Rangers Squad of the  Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The suspected criminals were said to be operating Ado Awaye, Araromi LCDA, Okaka and Otu communities in Itesiweju Local Government Area and Ilero in Iwa Local Council Development Authority. Parading the suspects,  the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Iskilu Akinsanya, said at about 11:15pm on Thursday, one Alhaji Baani Abubakar otherwise called Chief Jowuro, made a distress call to the Agro Rangers in the Oke-Ogun axis. The suspects…

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A 30-year-old woman has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for giving birth to a baby boy and dumping him inside a pit toilet. The woman, Franca Udokwu from Obuba Obofia, Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, was arrested on Saturday by Police operatives attached to Ogidi Division following a tipoff. The baby was eventually brought out of the pit toilet but was certified dead by a medical doctor. Speaking on the development, the Police spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed said the suspect when accosted, took police detectives to the scene of the crime where the…

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The Civil Society Groups in Edo state have maintained that they have not endorsed any candidate ahead of the governorship election in the state. Clarity on the position became necessary following reports of alleged endorsement from the group by various politicians in the state as well as the trend where everyone in the state seems to be supporting one political party or the other. In a statement signed by Leftist Osazee Edigin, the EDOCSO Public Relations Officer and made available to TNC on Sunday, the group expressed worry that individuals, professional bodies and even supposedly apolitical entities are also caught…

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The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu has approved the appointment of Mr Obini Onuchukwu as the Acting Registrar of Federal Polytechnic Oko, in Orumba North Council Area of Anambra. His approval followed the recommendation of the Expanded Management Committee (EMC), the highest decision-making body of Federal Polytechnic Oko. The recommendation was unanimously made by members of the EMC consisting of the five principal officers of the Polytechnic, Representative of the Hon. Minister of Education, Alh. Adamu Adamu and Representative of Executive Secretary of the Polytechnic’s regulatory body, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) recently after its regular meeting. The…

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A 60-year old widow, Agnes Muoneke and her son, Ifeanyi, from Igbuala village, Ifitedunu, have sent a passionate appeal to Governor Willie Obiano, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the member representing Dunukofia Constituency in the State Assembly, Lawrence Ezeudu and other relevant authorities, to save them from the hands of their rich neighbour, Engr. Godfrey Chukwudi Obinabo, who is oppressing them. TNC visit and investigation revealed that buildings and farmlands belonging to Muoneke family were allegedly demolished by the accused person, Chukwudi Obinabo, who had put the widow’s son away in prolonged Police detention, following frame-up allegations. The matter has…

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The wife of Anambra State Governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano has handed over keys to two well-furnished bungalows to two widows in Anambra State. The houses were built through the instrumentality of the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFEI) program of the governor’s wife. Among the beneficiaries was Mrs Eucharia Nwakibie, a widow from Isieke village, Akwa- Ozubulu on Ekwusigo LGA of the state. The widow had in 2012, lost her husband and was forced to live in her father’s house afterwards due to accommodation difficulties, with her seven children, two of whom had died during the trying time. The other…

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Residents of Anambra State are calling on government to rein in officials of the State Vehicle Inspection Office over their alleged fraudulent activities. Some motorists in the State Capital City of Awka who spoke to TNC, alleged that the VIO officials impound their vehicles on trumped-up charges and end up extorting money from them. The pointed accusing fingers at the VIO team positioned at the ABS axis of the Onitsha-Awka Expressway. According to a victim who pleaded anonymity, his car was impounded for three days by the office for refusing to a pay a fine of N50, 000. Narrating his…

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The Anambra State Police Command has issued an order for an immediate clampdown on persons and groups with prohibited firearms in the state. The order came from the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP John Abang. Recently, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu had given a directive to all Commissioners of Police, on total clampdown, disarmament and prosecution of persons and groups bearing prohibited firearms nationwide. A statement on behalf of the State Police Command, issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said the clampdown by the Command is a sequel to the IGP’s directive.…

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Two-time governor of Anambra State and business mogul, Peter Obi has condemned the recent clampdown on Nigerian businesses in Ghana by the Ghanaian Authorities as unfair and against all efforts at uniting Africans. Obi who was the Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the last elections, lamented the unfavourable business environment being created for Nigerian businesses in Ghana, adding that it was unfair and unjust to close up shops and offices of businesses that were legally registered and of which their owners were law-abiding residents. Obi spoke through a Press Release made available to TNC on…

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Air Peace on Tuesday resumed its Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flight operations. Flight operations had commenced at the airport with the arrival of Aero Contractors flight on Monday. The Air Peace Boeing 737 with registration No. 5N–BUJ arrived Asaba four months after the closure of the airport due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The aircraft which touched down at the airport at 8.50 am was celebrated with a water canon salute. Pilot of the Aircraft, Captain Omar Al-Talib, said the carrier was delighted to have returned to Asaba after its flight operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the…

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Suspected members of a child-stealing syndicate were on Tuesday paraded by the Anambra State Police Command. The suspects who were paraded at the Ogidi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogidi in Idemili North Council Area, include a couple, Ben and Elizabeth Nwobu. The couple was nabbed by police operatives with the support of Nkpor vigilante outfit, with a two-year-old boy who they claimed was their biological child. However, after much interrogation, it was discovered that the child was stolen. In an interview, the suspects, Mr and Mrs Nwobu, claimed they adopted the child after seventeen years of childlessness, but said they did…

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The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied claims by an Assistant Commissioner of Police serving in Cross River State, that he was his Chief Detail and was paid N250, 000 every month. The Police Officer, Stephen Udeme Brown had in a viral audio in which he was trying to woo and have an affair with a lady, Kate Agbor, claimed that the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is still paying him salary till date even after Akpabio had left office. According to him, the payment was because he was a Chief detail to Akpabio when he was…

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says the Nigerian Government has immediately swung into action to address the incessant attack on Nigerian traders in Ghana by the Ghanaian government. Onyeama, however, said to achieve a meaningful result, the government must first get in touch with ECOWAS to know its perspective on the situation and if the Ghanaian Retail Code was in contravention to ECOWAS protocols. He was speaking when representatives of the Nigerian Traders in Ghana under the aegis of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN) paid him a visit in Abuja. The visit was necessitated by the urgent need…

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There appear to be exciting days ahead for the Nigerian entertainment world as Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist, launches a virtual talent contest tagged Anambra Talent UNLOCKED. While addressing a group of supporters at Oba in Idemili Council Area of Anambra State, Mr. Ozigbo explained that he launched the contest which is open to indigenes and residents of Anambra State, because he believes that the pool of talent that abounds in the state need an opportunity for expression. “Riding off the impressive success of our Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 contest, our Foundation thought it necessary to extend…

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People of Alor community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State have dissociated themselves from the actions of their suspended monarch, MacAnthony Okonkwo. Okonkwo was among the 12 traditional rulers suspended last week by Governor Willie Obiano over an unapproved Abuja trip and the undignifying money-sharing video. About 7 of the suspended monarchs had described their suspension as a charade, berating the State Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, Igwe Alfred Achebe of exercising the powers he does not wield in approving that they be sanctioned by the State Government. They, therefore, withdrew their membership of the Achebe-led Council and declared…

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There appears to be an internal disagreement with the Peoples Democratic Party over the zoning of the 2021 Governorship seat in Anambra State. The PDP National has maintained that it is the prerogative of the State Working Committee (SWC), to determine the issues of zoning. Clarifying what the National Vice Chairman of the party in the South-east region, Austin Umahi, said last Friday on abandoning zoning in the state, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said for the avoidance of doubt, the NWC does not get involved in the zoning of the governorship position in states. But in…

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A 42-year old man, Izuchukwu Achusim has drowned in a swimming pool allegedly while on an enjoyment spree with an unidentified woman, known to be his girlfriend. The incident happened at about 8:30 pm Saturday night, at Loftus Garden Hotel, Onitsha. The victim resident at No 35 Guesthouse street, Fegge-Onitsha, who was said to have consumed a lot of alcohol and as such, became tipsy, had allegedly jumped into the deepest part of the swimming pool and got drowned. It was gathered that the hotel manager with the help of other guests at the hotel, had on the discovery that…

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An Inter-ministerial Technical Experts Committee has been charged with the task of reducing the cost of governance in ministries and agencies of the Federal Government. The membership of the Committee comprises technical experts from various ministries. The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr George Akume, inaugurated the committee over the weekend in Abuja. The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his Ministry, Festus Dauda, revealed that the establishment of the committee was in keeping with one of the core mandates of the Ministry which includes coordinating the activities of other ministries, agencies, as well as…

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Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro says the State Judiciary will continue to carry the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, along in the process of appointing judicial officers in the State. There have been insinuations of the NBA being sidelined in the appointment of judges in the past, a development the Association said has serious implications for justice dispensation in the state. But while receiving the newly elected Executive Officers of the Warri branch of the NBA over the weekend in his office in Asaba, Justice Umukoro said under his watch, a robust policy of inclusiveness has been adopted and…

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The Northern Governors Forum has called on security agencies to investigate the claims by a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya that one of the Northern Governors is the Commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong, said they are of the opinion that the allegations are too weighty to be swept under the carpet. Lalong said the NGF which has been working with the Federal Government, security agencies, community, civil society, traditional and religious leaders as well…

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Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business leader and philanthropist, has commended the Nigerian youth for their resilience and creativity despite the harsh climate in which the world is marking the 2020 International Youth Day. Mr Ozigbo made these remarks while hosting members of the VCO Youth Movement led by Innocent Ugwu who paid him a visit in Nteje, Oyi LGA of Anambra State on Wednesday. According to him, the Nigerian youth has the capacity to chart a new path for the transformation of Nigeria. “Never before has the threat and opportunities been greater for a generation of young people in Nigeria.…

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The Commissioner representing Anambra in the Federal Character Commission, (FCC) Reverend Uche Ibeabuchi says under his watch, Anambra  State will henceforth get its fair share in the scheme of things at the National scale. Ibeabuchi disclosed this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to State Government, Governor, Solo Chukwulobelu at the State Government House in Awka. The visit was part of efforts by the newly appointed Anambra representative in FCC, to seek a closer working relationship with the State Government for easy interaction and coordination. The FCC Commissioner informed the SSG of his readiness and…

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Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has slammed one-year suspension on 12 Igwes who went on a trip to Abuja allegedly without consultation or approval from the State Government. The suspension of the traditional rulers followed the recommendation of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council after their meeting at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Awka on Tuesday which centred on the public conduct of the 12 Monarchs that has been generating negative reviews in the media in the past one week. The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council led by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe had strongly condemned the…

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Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council has recommended appropriate sanctions against some Anambra traditional rulers caught in a compromising circumstance in a video making the round on the internet. The viral video making the rounds online showed the traditional rulers sharing money allegedly brought by the Business tycoon, Arthur Eze who allegedly took them to Abuja, to discuss matters of the state with President Muhammadu Buhari. Eze had in recent times been at loggerheads with Governor Willie Obiano over alleged underperformance and embezzlement of local government funds by the governor. Briefing newsmen after their meeting on Tuesday, the Chairman of the…

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Against the backdrop of the extension of the eased lockdown by four weeks, the Federal Government has been advised to open up the economy completely to enable the local economy to flourish. The advice came from the Member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency in National Assembly, Chinedu Obidigwe during a press interview. According to Obidigwe, as a developing nation, the Nigerian government cannot cater for the needs of the citizens and therefore needs the support of individual operators in the economy to address the numerous issues around unemployment, wealth creation and youths empowerment. These activities, he noted, have…

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The Anambra State Chapter of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the group is vigorously pursuing Igbo Presidency in 2023. According to the group, it is a right to the Southeast zone and not a privilege to get the presidency in 2023. Speaking to newsmen after their meeting on Tuesday, the Anambra State Ohaneze President, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene said the leadership of Ohaneze has not mandated anyone or group to pursue the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra but Presidency of Igbo extraction. He revealed that some youths within the territory that make up the defunct Biafra…

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The need for good spirited individuals and corporate organisations to invest in human capital development in the society particularly the downtrodden has been stressed. An Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of BTCBAR SZL group of label and entertainment company, Mr. Ebenezer Akarah, stated this in Asaba in a chat with TNC correspondent. Akarah who noted that the burden of providing for the less privileged in the society lies in all, urged well-meaning individuals to contribute their quota towards the upliftment of the lives of the less privileged around them. He revealed that on his capacity, he had evolved and sustained…

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Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved ten private schools in the state as centres for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the National Examination Council (NECO). A statement signed by the Commissioner in the ministry, Mr. Patrick Ukah, and made available to TNC on Tuesday revealed this. According to the statement, the examination is for only JS 3 students in private schools who registered for the national BECE’ The schools include Master Care Secondary School, Asaba, Heaven Point High School, Asaba, Deeper Life High School, Opete, Udu, DSC Tech High School, Udu, Top Grade…

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A factional traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Dr Austin Ndigwe has denied some demeaning statements against Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, attributed to him by a National Daily, threatening to sue the outlet. The Sun Newspapers had on Sunday, published a story where it quoted Ndigwe as saying that the Obiano administration plans to make traditional rulers in the state puppets that can be controlled to do his bidding at all times and that the monarchs should enjoy the liberty of choices too. A video clip made available to TNC had shown Ndigwe make unfounded statements against the government in…

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Anambra State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the death of one of its appointees, Azubuike Ekwegbalu who was murdered over the weekend. Ekwegbalu who was the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Security was murdered in cold blood on Sunday at his residence in Awka and speculations were rife that the act may have been committed by a female acquaintance. The State Police Command had also yesterday announced that it has arrested a suspect in connection with the murder although no names we mentioned, fueling the speculations. But a statement…

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