Category: News

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has won the Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu Zone) primary election of the All Progressives Congress, defeating former Governor Rochas Okorocha by a landslide.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has sworn in 18 new commissioners and four agency heads, warning appointees against treating public office as an avenue for personal enrichment.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Light House in Awka, formally launched what the governor described as “Team Solution 2.0” for the execution of his second-term development agenda.

With the earlier swearing-in of Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Izuchukwu Okafor as Commissioner for Finance, the Anambra State Executive Council now has 21 commissioners.

Addressing the newly inaugurated officials, Soludo said public appointments under his administration should be seen as responsibilities demanding sacrifice and hard work rather than opportunities for luxury.

“In Nigeria, a public appointment is too often viewed as a call to ‘come and chop.’ But under this administration, I don’t see a dining table. What I see is gruelling work; I see fields where you must sweat to serve,” he said.

The governor said the selection process for the cabinet members involved extensive vetting to ensure competence, merit, and capacity.

Using aviation imagery to underscore the pace of governance expected in his second term, Soludo told the appointees that governance had already moved beyond ceremonial politics.

“The plane is already on autopilot. If you don’t get into the passenger cabin, you must get directly into the cockpit. We are in a race against time to build a liveable and prosperous homeland for over nine million Ndi Anambra,” he said.

He urged the commissioners to treat their Oath of Office as a moral guide, revealing that he personally keeps his own copy visible in his bedroom as a reminder of his responsibilities in office.

Soludo also appealed to relatives and associates of the appointees to moderate their expectations, stressing that public service demands full-time commitment and personal sacrifice.

Among the newly sworn-in commissioners are Ben Odoemena (Agriculture), Chukwukadibia Okoye (Budget and Economic Planning), Dr. Ekene Ogugua (Education), Dr. Afam Obidike (Health), Dr. Law Mefor (Information and Value Reformation), Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Petroleum and Mineral Resources), and Engr. Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure).

The governor also inaugurated heads of key agencies into the State Executive Council, including Emeka Okonkwo of the Anambra Road Traffic Agency (ARTMA), Ossy Onuko of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Fred Agbata of the ICT Agency, and Obi Okonkwo of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Speaking on behalf of the new cabinet members, Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, thanked the governor and the Anambra State House of Assembly for the confidence repo sed in them.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Enugu State Marketing Company, Hon. Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, has disclosed that the company is targeting no fewer than 20,000 civil servants under its Workers’ Food Scheme initiative, designed to provide affordable food items and household essentials through a “Buy Now, Pay Later” arrangement.

Hon. Ogbuekwe made this known while speaking on the objectives and implementation of the programme, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at cushioning the impact of prevailing economic realities on workers and improving their purchasing power.

According to him, the Workers’ Food Scheme was conceived to address challenges faced by workers in accessing quality food products and essential commodities, while also promoting improved welfare and financial convenience.

He said the initiative would enable workers to obtain food items and basic household needs without the burden of immediate payment, allowing beneficiaries to spread payment over an agreed period.

“Our target in the first phase is to reach at least 20,000 civil servants across the state under the Workers’ Food Scheme. The initiative is designed to ease the burden on workers and ensure they have access to quality food items and essentials through a convenient and structured payment system,” Ogbuekwe stated.

He further explained that the programme aligns with the broader vision of improving workers’ welfare through innovative and sustainable interventions.

“This is not merely about food distribution; it is about creating a support system for workers. We understand the realities many families face today, and we are committed to developing solutions that will improve living conditions and reduce financial pressure on civil servants,” he added.

The Managing Director noted that the scheme would also strengthen market access for agricultural produce and other locally sourced products, thereby supporting economic activities within the state while ensuring availability of essential commodities for workers.

He emphasized that transparency, efficiency, and accessibility would remain central to the implementation process, assuring prospective beneficiaries of a seamless and fair participation structure.

Stakeholders have described the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing workers’ welfare and addressing the challenges associated with rising living costs.

The Workers’ Food Scheme is expected to commence in phases, with thousands of civil servants projected to benefit from the programme as implementation expands across the state.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, and former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, to lead its presidential primary committees ahead of the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries.

According to a statement issued by the party and signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, while Senator Imoke will serve as Chairman of the Presidential Screening Committee, Abdulfatah Ahmed will head the Presidential Election Committee.

Other members of the Presidential Screening Committee include Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum as Secretary, Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Prof. David Salifu, and Col. Abubakar Ali Ciroma.

The Presidential Election Committee has Prof. Yisa Gana as Secretary, alongside Maj.-Gen. Adamu Jalingo, Dr Auwalu Anwar, Chief Emenike Ikechi, Dr. Macaulay Iyare, Tajudeen Bakare, Elder Ubolo Itodo Okpanachi, Zainab Buba Galadima, Uzoamaka Onyeama, and Maj.-Gen Muhammad Inuwa Idris as members.

The party also constituted a Presidential Appeals Committee chaired by Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, with Barr. Ken Imasuagbon serving as Secretary, while Barr. Dare Okerade will serve as member.

For the governorship primaries, the ADC constituted two screening panels. The first panel is chaired by S.E. Aruwa, SAN, with Femi Olawuyi, Esq as Secretary. Other members include Lauretta Onochie, Chief Dr (Mrs.) Vivian E. Ugochukwu, Akilu Indabawa, Ibrahim Mohammed Wali, and Prof. Rabiu Bello.

The second governorship screening panel is chaired by Barr. Justina Abanida, with Hon. Chille Igbawua as Secretary. Other members are H.E. Gerrard Irona, Sen. Yisa Braimoh, Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim, Joseph Ephraim Enemali, and Navy Capt. Aliyu Ngolmo.

The party also approved two Governorship Appeal Committees. The first committee is chaired by P.I. Oyewole Esq, with Abdulhakeen Taiye Ibrahim as Secretary and Adah Usman as member. The second appeal committee is chaired by M.E. Sheriff, Esq, with Barr. Realwan Okpanachi as Secretary and Barr. Hassan Yakubu as member.

The ADC said the committees were carefully constituted to ensure transparency, credibility, fairness, and internal democracy throughout the conduct of the party’s primaries.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed two separate incidents involving the alleged beheading of three persons in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.

The incidents, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved a man accused of beheading his mother and another suspect who allegedly severed the heads of his sister and her little daughter before he later died.

In the first incident, operatives attached to the Igbo-Etiti Division responded to a distress report at about 3:10 p.m. alleging that Anikwe Onyebuchi, aged about 40, used a cutlass to behead his 60-year-old mother, Anikwe Felicia, at Nkporogwu Ukehe Community.

Police said the corpse and severed head of the deceased were recovered and taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed her dead before the remains were deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The suspect was reportedly rescued and rearrested from an angry mob that had severely beaten him before he was taken to the hospital for treatment.

In a separate incident reported minutes later, operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad stationed at Ekwegbe Junction along the Ugwuagu/Opi/Nsukka Road responded to another distress call alleging that Joshua Eze used a cutlass to sever the heads of his sister, Nwabuche Eze, and her little daughter, Favour Eze, at Agu-Ekwegbe Community.

The police said the remains of the victims were recovered and taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed them dead. Their corpses were later deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

According to the command, the suspect was also rescued from an angry mob in critical condition and rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Police added that preliminary investigations revealed that after allegedly beheading the victims, the suspect buried their remains in a shallow grave alongside a dead white cock, suggesting possible ritual intentions.

Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, condemned the acts and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to commence comprehensive investigations into both cases.

He also urged residents to refrain from jungle justice and instead hand over suspects to lawful authorities for investigation and prosecution.

The Enugu State Government’s Workers Food Scheme has recorded a massive show of enthusiasm as civil servants trooped to Parklane on Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15, 2026, for the ongoing onboarding exercise.

According to the Enugu State Marketing Company led by Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, which conducted the exercise, the workers were so excited that they pleaded with the team to return again to continue the process, signaling strong demand for the initiative designed to end the struggle of empty kitchens before payday.

The Workers Food Scheme allows Enugu civil servants to purchase food items now and pay later through monthly salary deductions, eliminating the need for borrowing or cash payments at the point of purchase and offering workers a dignified way to access food without resorting to borrowing.

Key Benefits:

· No stress
· No borrowing
· No embarrassment

How It Works:

1. Verify your staff ID

2. Submit consent form

3. Get confirmed

4. Shop without payment

5. Salary deduction at month end

The scheme is built on a simple but powerful promise: “It’s that simple. Why borrow money when you can shop with dignity?”

Civil servants who missed the Parklane onboarding can visit No. 24 Colliery Avenue, opposite the State Secretariat, or call 0814 572 1776 for more information.

“No cash? No problem. We’ve got you covered,” the government assured.

The enthusiastic response at Parklane suggests the scheme is meeting a critical need among Enugu’s civil service population, showing the state government’s commitment to helping civil servants manage the end-of-month financial pressure.

In a major political development that has further altered the dynamics of the 2027 electoral landscape in Enugu East Senatorial District, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency House of Representatives election following a commanding victory in the party’s primary election.

At the official collation centre in Enugu East Local Government Area, the Returning Officer, Barr. Uche Mbaeke, declared Hon. Edeoga winner after he secured a staggering 40,533 votes, overwhelmingly defeating the incumbent member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Paul Nnamchi, who garnered 248 votes.

The announcement triggered wild celebrations among party faithful, supporters, and stakeholders who gathered in large numbers to witness what many described as a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral exercise.

Speaking shortly after his declaration, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga expressed profound gratitude to party members for their overwhelming support and used the opportunity to commend Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as his transformational leadership style and unwavering commitment to party growth.

“Governor Peter Mbah has continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership through his developmental strides and commitment to progress. He remains a true party patriot whose vision continues to inspire confidence across political divides,” Edeoga stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Science and Innovation, Barrister Kingsley Udeh, applauded party members for their peaceful conduct and commitment to ensuring a credible process.

“What we have witnessed here today is democracy in action. The massive turnout of party members and the peaceful conduct of this primary election show clearly that our party is prepared for greater victories ahead. I urge members to replicate this same commitment during the forthcoming governorship primary,” he said.

The Minister further urged members to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the need to not only affirm him during the primaries but also return him through democratic votes in January 2027.

“Our President must be overwhelmingly affirmed during the primaries and returned in 2027. That responsibility lies with every committed party member,” he added.

The Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Kelvin Chukwu, also praised the seamless conduct of the exercise and urged party members to remain united.

“This primary election has demonstrated that our party is becoming stronger in Enugu State. I encourage all stakeholders to remain steadfast, united, and focused as we prepare for future victories,” Senator Chukwu stated.

The host council chairmen — Hon. Obiora Obeagu of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area and Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike of Enugu East Local Government Area — expressed appreciation to party members for turning out en masse to fulfill their civic responsibilities.

Hon. Obeagu said:
“Today’s turnout reflects the strength, unity, and readiness of our people. We deeply appreciate every party member who participated in this historic exercise.”

Pastor Anike added:
“This process once again proves that our grassroots remain the backbone of our party. We thank everyone for ensuring a peaceful and successful exercise.”

Following the declaration, stakeholders engaged in strategic post-election discussions presided over by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Strategic Communications, Dr. Collins Ogbu, who coordinated interactions among party leaders and stakeholders.

Other prominent stakeholders present at the event included former Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Dr. Benjamin Edeoga, who served as the Enugu East Collation Officer; Hon. Obinna Mbaeke, who served as the Collation Officer for Isi-Uzo; Hon. Cornelius Nnaji, former Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area and former member of the House of Representatives; as well as the APC Deputy State Chairperson, Hon. Peace Patrick Nnaji.

With this emphatic victory, political observers believe Hon. Edeoga has firmly positioned himself as a formidable contender ahead of the general elections, as attention now shifts to the upcoming governorship primary scheduled for May 21, 2025, where party stakeholders are expected to once again shape the future of the APC in Enugu State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic reforms, insisting that the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market were necessary decisions to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and block financial leakages.

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Tinubu said he has no regrets implementing the policies despite the economic hardship experienced by many Nigerians.

The president also said his administration would intensify reforms and governance efforts if re-elected for a second term.

Responding to questions on what Nigerians should expect from another Tinubu administration, the president said the demands of the global economy require continuous policy adjustments and bold leadership.

“Do more work. More challenges are there. The world won’t wait for anybody. You have to continue to reset and rethink, challenge the intellectual curiosity of yourself as a government,” he said.

Tinubu argued that decisive leadership requires difficult choices, even when such policies trigger public resistance.

“The philosophy I came with in governance is believing that the hallmark of a transformative leader is the ability to take decisions, do what you do at the time it has to be done on behalf of the people. If you miss that curve, you are not on the path to success,” he said.

He recalled the backlash that followed the early reforms introduced by his administration, including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, but maintained that the policies have started producing positive outcomes.

“And that’s what I believe. The first time, I took hard decisions regardless of the pain, stopped reading newspapers and commentary because I knew I was going to get a big pushback. And I did,” he said.

“I was sitting on a hot burner. But we made the curve. Today, there’s a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.”

Tinubu maintained that the economy and naira are becoming more stable and predictable, enabling improved budgeting and planning.

He also defended the subsidy removal policy, describing it as unsustainable in a global economy.

“It is a fake life to think you can, in a global economy, continue the subsidy that is wasteful. It is an encouragement to falsification of papers, smuggling, and that is a very critical situation for the country,” he said.

According to the president, the removal of subsidy has improved allocations to states, helping many governors meet salary and development obligations.

“Of the 36 states, 27 of them were unable to pay the salaries of workers. Where is the money? You are oil-producing, you are earning, you are given fuel, you have no functional refinery. It is not possible to continue that trend,” he said.

Tinubu acknowledged that the reforms have imposed hardship on citizens but argued that temporary pain is necessary for long-term recovery.

“It is difficult, it is painful, but it is just like the human reproduction process. A woman carries a pregnancy, endures the pain of labour, and has a big smile when she sees a living child,” he said.

The president also defended ongoing tax reforms, insisting that citizens must be willing to pay taxes if they expect quality infrastructure and social services.

“Nobody wants to pay taxes ordinarily. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor. Every human being expects development, but the question they do not answer is: how do you pay for it?” he said.

Tinubu said his administration is mitigating the impact of the reforms through direct cash transfers, education support schemes, and allowances for indigent students.

“For those students who would ordinarily stay out of school because their parents cannot afford school fees, they are now in school. I am even giving them allowances and upkeep for their schooling,” he said.

On support for local industries, Tinubu cited the Dangote Refinery, saying government approvals for crude sales in naira were aimed at reducing operational bottlenecks and easing pressure on foreign exchange.

“What should my government do? Support him, encourage him,” he said.

“You do not have to go through letters of credit and bureaucracy that make foreign exchange difficult for him. Give it to him in naira.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united and peaceful as the party commences its 2027 primary elections nationwide.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tinubu described the commencement of the primaries as a historic moment for the APC as it prepares for its fourth election cycle.

“We founded the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the firm principles of progressive politics, consensus democracy, and personal devotion and sacrifice.

“This principle of selflessness and devotion has seen us go through each election cycle and come out firmer together. We must consolidate on it as we go into the primaries tomorrow,” he stated.

The president said the primary elections, beginning with those for House of Representatives aspirants and ending with the presidential primaries on May 25, 2026, were not just exercises to select candidates but also a test of the party’s unity and resilience.

Tinubu commended efforts by party leaders to produce consensus candidates in line with the Electoral Act and the APC constitution, describing the move as one that could reduce rancour among members.

“I note the impressive progress made in this regard and encourage fellow party members to make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party,” he said.

The president urged aspirants and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise and warned against actions capable of undermining party unity.

“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time,” he stated.

Tinubu also appealed to party leaders, governors, and stakeholders to ensure fairness and provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

He further called for greater inclusion of women and youths in the party’s political process.

“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest,” he added.

The president also urged the police and other security agencies to remain professional during the primaries and focus strictly on maintaining peace and order.

…Our job isn’t done yet – Mbah

The Enugu State Council of Presidents-General has endorsed the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for a second term in office, citing what they described as his sterling leadership and uncommon transformations across all sectors of the state.

The Council, which represents 583 autonomous communities that make up the state, also endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election, commending him for making more resources available to the states to execute projects that touch the lives of the people, also citing the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the embarkation on strategic projects that would transform the economy of the state and the South East.

They passed the vote of endorsement during a courtesy visit to Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Association, Chief Arinze Ogbodo, extolled Governor Mbah’s inclusive and grassroots-sensitive administration, noting the administration’s adoption of the 260 political wards as the basis for the distribution of democracy dividends.

Ogbodo cited the construction of 267 Smart Green Schools and 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, 260 Farm Estates, improved security through the government’s investment in high-tech infrastructure, revival of moribund assets, and many ongoing and completed road projects opening up rural communities.

“Consequently, the Enugu State Council of Presidents-General of Town Unions, on behalf of the 583 autonomous communities in Enugu State, unanimously adopts you for a second term in office as the Governor of Enugu State in recognition of your outstanding performance, transformational leadership, and unwavering commitment to the development of Enugu State.

“In the same vein, we equally hereby adopt President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.

“We shall mobilise grassroots support for both your re-election and that of the President through our structured organs from the state level to senatorial zones, Local Government Areas, and communities,” the body declared.

Speaking, Mbah, while thanking the community leaders for their profuse appreciation of his government’s efforts, promised to do even more, noting that more work remained to be done to position Enugu as the number one state in Nigeria and an economic giant.

The governor observed that no single project or programme of the government was a knee-jerk decision, saying that the transformations being witnessed in the education, health, agriculture, transport, tourism, and security sectors, as well as infrastructure, were all interconnected towards growing the state from a $4.4bn to a $30bn economy by 2031.

“What this endorsement has done is that you have imposed further obligations on us. You told us to go and finish this job. You must have observed that what we have done is simply to build the fundamentals, to lay the foundations, and to get ready.

“But even with just building these fundamentals and the foundations, you can see that the profile of Enugu is rising daily. Enugu has become a model of good governance. That is essentially what you have come here this afternoon to endorse.

“This is beyond politics. What you are saying to us this afternoon is that you cannot politicise the future of our children,” he stated.

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) is set to collaborate with Babcock University in advancing the commercialisation of research outcomes and strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem as part of efforts to drive industrial growth and sustainable national development.

The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN stated this during a courtesy visit by the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, to the Ministry in Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister stressed that the commercialisation of research findings remains central to Nigeria’s technological advancement, economic diversification and global competitiveness. He called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry and government institutions to ensure that innovative ideas and scientific breakthroughs are transformed into market-ready products and services capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

Dr. Udeh noted that the engagement reflects a shared commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application through the Ministry’s “Energise Commercialisation Now” (ECoN) initiative — a strategic framework designed to convert research outputs and innovative ideas into viable enterprises and economic assets that will contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.

The Minister further emphasised the need to build a robust innovation-driven economy anchored on entrepreneurship, technology transfer, capacity building and strategic partnerships capable of accelerating the development of Nigeria’s scientific and industrial ecosystem.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing not only graduates, but innovators, entrepreneurs and solution providers whose ideas and inventions can drive industrial development and national competitiveness.

He added that Babcock University remains dedicated to excellence in research, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology transfer, while expressing the institution’s readiness to partner with FMIST in advancing impactful research commercialisation initiatives for national development.