Category: News

The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the immediate recruitment of 5,000 indigenes into the state civil service to enhance administrative efficiency and public service delivery.

This decision was reached during the second council meeting of 2026, presided by Governor Siminalayi Fubara with his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, in attendance, held in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honor Sirawoo, disclosed that the recruitment is strategically focused on the education sector to address manpower needs.

Honour said with the latest recruitment, the number of people that will now be employed by the Fubara-led administration is over nine thousand.

Dr Siraawoo stated, “We just concluded the State Executive Council Meeting presided over by the Executive Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“Several issues were looked at, but more prominent was that the Rivers State Executive Council had approved the employment of five thousand people into the state civil service.  The move is designed to strengthen service delivery in the state, particularly the education sector.”

He said a breakdown of the number shows that 300 will be recruited to serve in the basic and primary school stage, while 2000 will serve at the post-primary school level.

“You know the government has, over time, been employing. This administration is not about making so much noise about what it is doing because our services are for the entire Rivers people.

“This brings the number to about 9,500 persons that this administration has engaged. Recall that 1500 had been recruited into the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, 2000 for Medical Services, 1000 for Universal Basic Education,” the Permanent Secretary added.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to merit, Dr Sirawoo said, “The process for the employment of these approved 5,000 persons will be well-guided to ensure that only qualified persons are recruited.”

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Kenneth Gbali, welcomed the approval.

He described the decision as a major boost, noting that his ministry stands as the greatest beneficiary of the policy plan. Punch

The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commissioned a new digital court building constructed by his administration, describing it as a giant step in his administration’s prioritisation of speedy justice delivery in the state.

Mbah said, technological integration, when combined with judicial financial autonomy, which was already in effect in the state, would ensure that the judiciary is not only independent in form, but effective in function.

He maintained that the Enugu State Judiciary envisioned by his administration was one that must be independent, efficient, technology-driven, and people-centred.

The governor spoke and also inaugurated the Digital Court Building during the ceremonies and special court session to mark the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Enugu State Judiciary, which took place at the Enugu State judicial complex in the state capital on Monday.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the theme of the event, “Enugu State Judiciary: Ushering in a New Era of efficient Justice Delivery through Technological Integration and Financial Autonomy”, spoke directly to the drive of his administration from the outset to strengthen and modernise governance in the state.

He said the four ultra-modern court halls were designed to decongest existing facilities, improve working conditions, and enhance the dignity and efficiency of judicial proceedings.

“These court halls are not merely physical structures; they are purpose-built facilities equipped with digital recording systems, smart displays, secure data connectivity, and ergonomic designs that meet contemporary standards for modern courts.

“They represent our commitment to creating an enabling environment for justice delivery,” Mbah stated.

In his remark, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, reminded judiciary officers that the judiciary’s role as the last hope of the common man, placed upon it the obligation to serve with renewed commitment to the sanctity of the rule of law, absolute integrity and zero tolerance of corruption.

He said the Enugu State judiciary embarked on a comprehensive reform in the interest of the people and commended Governor Mbah for according the third arm of government the needed support.

“It became clear to us that meaningful reform would require more than incremental adjustments. What was needed was a comprehensive rethinking of how cases move through the justice system.

“Our need was met by the vision of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, who at the inception of his administration clearly identified the judiciary as an area of focus and promised transformative and innovative projects for the Judiciary.

“Today, we formally launch a digital justice platform that redefines how cases are filled, processed, heard, recorded and concluded in the Judiciary of Enugu State and across the justice sector institutions.

“This transformation covers the High Court of Justice, the Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Magistrates’ Court, Customary Courts, the Multi-Door Courthouse, the Ministry of Justice, and key public-facing court services including the Probate Division and Affidavit Sections,” the Chief Judge said.

On his part, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, lauded governor Mbah’s giant strides and transformative support to the state’s justice sector, which he said had enabled the sector to evolve as a critical pillar of good governance, economic growth and social order.

“In pursuit of the Governor’s vision for a tech-enabled Justice sector, the Ministry of Justice spearheaded a groundbreaking digitalisation drive in collaboration with the Enugu State Judiciary. Some notable achievements include innovative digital court solutions like e-Litigation System, e-Affidavit System, Virtual Court Hearing System, e-Probate and e-Lis Pendens (all currently in advanced testing), Enablement of full e-filing, e-assessment, e-payment, and e-assignment of cases.

“In addition, we conducted the recruitment and training of 39 Verbatim Court Reporters to enhance courtroom transcription accuracy,” he stated.

The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, Dr. George Moghalu has formally resigned his membership of the party.

The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) conveyed his decision in a letter dated January 26, 2026, which he personally signed and submitted to the Chairman of the Labour Party in his ward, Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State.

In the letter, Chief Moghalu expressed profound appreciation to the Labour Party at the ward, state, and national levels for providing him the platform to contest the November 2025 off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State.

The resignation, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in a courteous and appreciative tone. Chief Moghalu acknowledged the support and cooperation he received from party leaders and members throughout the campaign period.

Part of the letter reads:

“I bring you the good wishes of my family and write to formally inform you of my resignation from the Labour Party, effective January 26, 2026. Let me also thank the party, through you, for providing me the opportunity to use the Labour Party platform to contest the last governorship election of our state. Please accept, as always, the assurance of my sincere regards and kindly convey same to the members.”

Doris Ewoh, Enugu

Christian leaders across Igboland, in partnership with Ohaneze Ndigbo, have agreed to dedicate the last Saturday of January every year as a day of thanksgiving to God for His love, mercy, and grace upon the Igbo people, particularly for saving them from extermination during the Nigeria–Biafra Civil War of 1967–1970. The event will be marked as the Igbo World Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving.

This resolution was announced at a press conference held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu. The leaders emphasized the need for the Igbo people to come together in gratitude to God for survival and prosperity, despite the starvation, homelessness, and devastation caused by the war.

Speaking at the press conference, the Archbishop of the Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Engr. Sosthenes Eze, stated that the annual prayer exercise is purely spiritual and not political. According to him, its aim is to thank God for what He has done for the Igbo people since the beginning and end of the three-year Civil War.

Quoting Psalm 124, Archbishop Eze said that if not for the Lord who was on the side of the Igbo people, they would have been completely overwhelmed. He noted that despite deliberate attempts at oppression over the years, ranging from denial of rights to destruction of property, the Igbo people have survived by God’s grace.

“Instead of bitterness, we chose gratitude and worship,” he said.

The Archbishop also explained that his episcopal ministry is deeply rooted in the liberation and preservation of the Igbo race. He outlined activities for the annual thanksgiving, stating that church services will be held across Igbo communities on the last Saturday of January, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

“Town criers have been engaged in various communities, and we urge markets to observe a three-hour closure to enable people to participate fully. We are also seeking cooperation from political leaders, as a central thanksgiving service will be held in a designated church,” he added.

Also speaking, Bishop Obi Onubogu of the Rock Family Church, Enugu, said that despite the storms of the past, God has brought the Igbo nation to a place of abundance. He recounted his personal experience of the war in his twenties and stressed the need for unity and thanksgiving.

“What we are doing is celebrating what God has done for us. I was in my twenties during the war, and now I am 86. If I had died then, I wouldn’t be alive today with 15 grandchildren. Saturday is not for politics or arguments; it is a day of gratitude. We did not survive by our strength but by God’s mercy,” he said.

He further shared his survival story, including escaping snake bites, bullets, bombings, and scorpion stings, attributing his life entirely to God’s intervention. He disclosed that he worked as a personal assistant to Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, even during Ojukwu’s exile in Ivory Coast.

Also contributing, the former Bishop of Oji River Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr. Amos Madu (rtd.), described the Igbo World Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving as timely and necessary. He said it provides an opportunity for the Igbo people to acknowledge God’s omnipotence and faithfulness.

“That the Igbo nation still exists today is a miracle. What happened between 1967 and 1970 was unimaginable. We survived without food, shelter, or basic amenities—it can only be God,” he said.

He added that earlier generations failed to collectively thank God after the war and that the proposed annual thanksgiving would help correct that omission.

Similarly, the Archbishop Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Enugu Synod, Most Rev. Prof. Ezichi Anya Ituma, said the event would strengthen the Igbo people’s relationship with God and foster unity.

Sharing his own experience, he revealed that his father narrowly escaped death during the war through divine intervention.

“We expect unity and gratitude to God. All Igbos should take this prayer seriously,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Enugu ArchDiocese, Most Rev. Barr. Christopher Edeh, represented by the Very Rev. C. C. Ojike, called on Ndi Igbo everywhere to place great value on the exercise, noting that its spiritual benefits are immense.

The Enugu State Government has announced the postponement of its previously scheduled stakeholders’ townhall meeting on land sector development.

The townhall meeting, earlier slated for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, has now been rescheduled to Thursday, January 29, 2026, and will still hold at The Dome Hall, Enugu International Conference Centre, at 10:00 am. prompt.

The government announced this in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo.

According to the statement, the townhall meeting forms part of the ongoing reforms and development initiatives in the state’s land sector and is aimed at providing stakeholders with clear, accessible, and up-to-date information on land administration and development in Enugu State.

Dr. Agbo explained that the engagement aligns with the commitment of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to transparency, public participation, and the establishment of a modernised land management framework capable of safeguarding the rights and investments of landowners, developers, and investors.

He noted that the session will also provide participants the opportunity to receive firsthand directives from the Governor on land sector reforms, gain clarity on their roles and responsibilities in land administration, and identify proactive measures for protecting communities and investments.

“The meeting is designed to deepen stakeholder understanding of government policies, promote orderly land administration, and strengthen confidence in Enugu State as a preferred investment destination,” the statement said.

As earlier announced, the townhall remains open to a wide range of stakeholders, including individual landowners, families and community landholders, estate developers, residents, community layout coordinators, surveyors, land buyers and agents, property lawyers, professional bodies, traditional rulers and town unions, business operators, religious organisations, financial institutions, academic and research institutions, media organisations, civil society groups, development partners, and other concerned citizens.

The government urged all relevant stakeholders to take note of the new date and attend the engagement, describing it as a critical step toward building a transparent, investor-friendly, and sustainable land management system in the state.

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has won the 2025 Best Performing Ministerial SERVICOM Unit Award in recognition of its commitment to efficient and people-centered service delivery.

The award, presented under the SERVICOM framework, also included recognition for the best-performing nodal desk officer, underscoring the ministry’s alignment with the Federal Government’s public service agenda.

Reacting to the achievement, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, praised the SERVICOM team for what he described as outstanding dedication, professionalism, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.

He said the recognition reinforces the ministry’s belief that effective service delivery is key to strengthening public trust and accountability.

Dr. Udeh added that the ministry will continue to support initiatives that promote efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction across its services.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Philip Ndiomu, also commended the SERVICOM unit, noting that the award reflects teamwork and commitment to service excellence. He said the performance of the Ministerial SERVICOM Unit and nodal desk officers shows that motivated public servants can significantly improve service delivery. The ministry said the recognition further strengthens its drive for improved results.

The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina—convicted for stealing over two billion naira in pension funds—as “Grand Patron” of its Garki Branch.

In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the Association described the move by Branch Chairman Anthony Bamidele Ojo as a mockery of the legal profession and a setback in the fight against corruption.

The NBA noted that while Mr. Maina has the right to pursue his appeal, currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court, the Bar will not comment on or attempt to sway public opinion in his favour.

The Association directed the Garki Branch Chairman to immediately withdraw the appointment and desist from making statements in support of Maina or any litigant with cases still before the courts.

The NBA further announced that disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against Mr. Ojo, citing serious breaches of professional responsibility and ethics.