Category: News

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called on Nigerians to transform the country’s cultural wealth into economic power that would create millions of jobs and drive sustainable growth.

Declaring open a three-day Culture and Creative Economy Summit at the Landmark Nike Resort, Enugu, on Tuesday, the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the creative economy must be seen as central to Nigeria’s future.

“Enugu State is proud to stand with the Federal Government in this vision. We are ready to provide platforms, infrastructure, and partnerships that will unlock the real potential of Nigeria’s creative sector, from Nollywood to Afrobeat, from heritage to tourism, and to digital innovation. The message is clear that the creative economy is not just entertainment; it is Nigeria’s blue economy,” Mbah said.

He reminded participants that his administration had set a target of growing Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2030, stressing that every sector must contribute to achieving the vision.

He urged the private sector, cultural custodians, and young people to “create the legacy of a Nigeria where our culture is celebrated, our creativity rewarded, and our economy transformed.”

Governor Mbah further announced that Enugu would host the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in November 2025, assuring that the state had already invested in the infrastructure needed for a successful outing.

“It will be an ecosystem of economic activities. Enugu is open for business,” he stressed.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Lyndsay Duthie of the University of Creative Arts, United Kingdom, said that creating wealth through culture requires collaboration, innovation, and technology.

“Culture and creativity equal economic power,” she said, adding that Nigeria has one of the strongest opportunities to build a competitive creative economy if government policies, infrastructure, and incentives are aligned.

She stressed that beyond population advantage, Nigeria must develop skills, invest in education, and provide incentives that would help talents thrive. According to her, funding, infrastructure, and world-class creativity should form the strategic pillars of the country’s creative growth.

The Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, described the creative economy as a viable path to national prosperity, noting that the summit brought together commissioners, permanent secretaries, and directors of culture to brainstorm on unlocking opportunities in the sector.

“As a country, we can achieve a $100 billion creative economy by 2030 and $250 billion by 2035 if we invest deliberately in the process,” Asika said.

He also commended Enugu as a suitable host for NAFEST 2025, adding that “Enugu is a great place to host NAFEST. The infrastructure is there and culture has always been here.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, expressed delight that Enugu was hosting the summit, describing it as a historic moment for Nigeria’s creative industry.

She said the theme, “Monetising Culture and Creative Industries at the Sub-National Level,” was timely, adding that culture and creativity across the country are more than entertainment because they represent wealth, jobs, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked.

“Here in Enugu, we are already taking bold steps – developing our eco-tourism sites, investing in film and music, preparing to host NAFEST 2025, and building platforms where culture meets commerce,” she said, while urging participants to join hands in building a stronger and united creative economy for Nigeria.

The summit drew the attendance of Commissioners in charge of Culture and Creative Economy, directors of federal and state ministries, departments and agencies from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as federal agencies responsible for arts and culture, among others.

The Labour Party Governorship Candidate in Anambra State, Dr. George Moghalu, has personally visited the Onitsha Main Market to commiserate with traders and families affected by the unfortunate incident.

In a statement made available by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Johnson Okoye, Moghalu described the killings as “barbaric, unacceptable, and a direct attack on the dignity of Ndi Anambra.”

Addressing the visibly shaken traders, Dr. Moghalu assured that a Labour Party-led government under his watch would never tolerate such reckless use of force against innocent citizens. He stressed that “government exists to protect lives, not to waste them.”

Deeply moved by the plight of those who sustained injuries, Dr. Moghalu pledged to offset the medical bills of all victims currently hospitalised as a result of the shooting.

“At a time like this, compassion, support, and solidarity are what the victims and their families need most. My heart goes out to them, and I will ensure that their medical expenses are fully taken care of,” he affirmed.

The governorship hopeful further vowed that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, insisting that all those responsible must be arrested and made to give account of their deeds.

Appealing for calm, he urged traders not to take laws into their own hands but to allow due process to prevail, assuring them that justice must be served without compromise.

Recall that Moghalu announced the suspension of all his campaign activities for one week following Tuesday’s tragic shooting incident at the Onitsha Main Market, Emeka Offor Plaza axis by operatives of the Anambra State agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade.

Explaining his decision to suspend campaign activities, Dr. Moghalu noted that it was both a mark of respect for the victims and a demonstration of solidarity with Ndi Anambra in this moment of grief.

He called on Ndi Anambra to remain calm, resilient, and united, reminding them that “November 8 is our opportunity to enthrone a government that prioritises human lives, restores peace, and guarantees the safety of every citizen.”

The national grid on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, has collapsed.

The megawatt (MW) generated dropped from 2,917.83 (MW) to 1.5 (MW) between 11 am and 12 pm on Wednesday.

Shortly after the collapse, the Nigeria National Grid, through an X handle that provides updates on electricity distribution, announced that “System restoration is in progress.”

However, distribution companies (DisCos) were yet to provide any updates about the grid collapse as at the the time of filing this report.

More details later…

The Anambra State Government has stated its knowledge of what it referred to as “disturbance that occurred in Onitsha Main Market earlier today [Yesterday].”

In a statement signed by Dr. Law Mefor, the Commisssioner for Information, he informed that the Police had since restored calm and order to the area, revealing that investigations had commenced.

The statement claimed only one person had been confirmed dead.

Part of the statement reads:

“We appreciate the swift intervention of the Police, who have restored calm and order to the area.

“An investigation into the incident has commenced, and the government will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“Regrettably, one of the victims, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. The other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.

“Meanwhile, Mr. Governor has directed that the suspects be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution and for the medical needs of those who sustained injuries to be taken care of.

“Meanwhile normalcy has since been restored in the area by the Police, while patrols and monitoring continue by law enforcement agents to ensure sustained peace”.

The Labour Party governorship candidate in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra state, Dr. George Moghalu has condemned the killing of four persons at the Onitsha Main Market, Emeka Offor Plaza axis, allegedly by operatives of the government-backed OCHA Brigade.

Moghalu who also announced the suspension of his campaign activities for one week, made this known in a press statement personally signed by him and obtained by PACESETTER.

He noted that the killings in the state had become a source of concern, arguing that “under a Labour Party government, such barbarity will never be tolerated”.

See the full statement below:

ONITSHA KILLINGS: NDI ANAMBRA MUST END THE REIGN OF BLOODSHED ON NOVEMBER 8

I received with deep shock and profound sadness the heartbreaking news of the killing of four innocent citizens, including a pregnant woman, at the Onitsha Main Market, Emeka Offor Plaza axis, allegedly by operatives of the government-backed OCHA Brigade.

From Udogachi to Aka Ọdọ, and now Ocha Bridge, Anambra has been witnessing a disturbing pattern of killings and violence. This is no longer governance; this is tragedy. For the past three years, our state has been drowning in negative headlines—killings, bloodshed, kidnapping, and fear everywhere. Our people no longer feel safe going to the market, walking the streets, or even sitting in their own homes. We are now living on a battlefield, where citizens are gunned down not by criminals in the bush, but by those wearing government uniforms. This is not the Anambra of our dreams. How long shall we continue like this? How long shall the lives of our people be wasted by a government that has no compassion, empathy, or conscience? A government that cannot protect its citizens has no moral right to ask for their votes.

I condemn, in the strongest terms, this reckless use of force in collecting levies. Let it be known that under a Labour Party government, such barbarity will never be tolerated. No government agency will bear arms, aside from vigilantes. Security will not mean oppression. Government will not arm thugs in uniforms against its own people. We will value life, protect dignity, and restore peace.

November 8 is the moment of truth. This election is our opportunity to say, “Enough is enough.” Ndi Anambra must make a bold statement with their votes. This government may come again with money to buy votes, but remember—every vote sold becomes tomorrow’s hardship, tears, and blood. We must not allow this cycle to continue.

As a mark of respect and solidarity with the grieving families and Ndi Anambra, I am suspending my community and market campaign tours for one week. This is not a time for politics; it is a time to mourn, reflect, and recommit ourselves to ending this bloodshed.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I share in their grief and pray for God’s comfort in this very painful time.

Dr. George Moghalu
Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Anambra State

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has suspended its nationwide strike.

The union and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to the unionization of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionize.

The truce between the union and Dangote Group was sequel to a reconciliatory talks Brokered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment held at the Miñister’s Conference Hall in Abuja.

A communique jointly signed by the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Benson Upah and General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Nuhu Toro on behalf of NUPENG and organised labour and Sayyu Dantata who represented Dangote Refinery stated that: “After exhaustive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached by both parties:

“That since workers’ unionization is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionization of employees of Dangote Refinery and unionization of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionize.

“That the process of unionization shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th – 22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer not set up any other union”.

The MoU further stated that arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote refinery and Petrochemical will be victimized.

The agreement stated that parties will revert to the Minister of Labour a week after the conclusion of the engagement.

Based on the MOU, “NUPENG agreed to suspend the industrial action with immediate effect”. ThisDay

…Enugu indigenes alone got at least 90 per cent of the smart school projects – Chief Charles Mba

Contractors handling multiple Smart Green School Projects for Enugu state have expressed satisfaction with the system put in place by the government, saying that they were delivering the projects in line with government’s standards and schedule.

The contractors, in separate interviews on Sunday and Monday, according to Sun, commended the huge investment by the government to migrate Enugu State children from outdated structures and learning to modern infrastructure and experiential learning to equip them with requisite knowledge and skills to compete in the emerging global economy.

Managing Director of Testimony Enterprises, Surv. Ugo Chime, said his company was awarded ten of the 260 Smart Green School projects.

“We handled 10 units of the Smart Green Schools. The government is collecting keys for those fully completed units starting from this week,” he said.

Also, the MD/CEO of Intasog Limited, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, said, “Intasog was awarded 12 sites, which we have done well and we are happy and grateful for the opportunity,” he stated.

In the same vein, MD/CEO of Alubond Nigeria Limited, Chinedu Nwobodo, said, “Alubond was awarded 10 schools. And the good thing is that you do not even need to know anybody to get multiple contracts, so long as you have a proven capacity.”

Chief Charles Mba is the MD/CEO of CDV Properties and Development Limited, which is also doing multiple projects.

“We are delivering 10 Smart Green Schools in line with government standards. I know for certain that Enugu indigenes alone got at least 90 per cent of the school projects, depending on the capacity of each company.

“But this should not be reduced to where a contractor comes from as some are trying to do. Enugu indigenes with credible companies, including ours, do projects in other states. Commitment and capacity to deliver are what matters,” he said.

MD/CEO of Ever Progressive Integrated Resources Venture, Benneth Nwatu, said that the state government was playing its part to ensure that the school projects succeeded.

“Our company has completed multiple projects here. For example, we handled the Smart Green School at Ugwuomu Nike, the one at Queens School, and another one at Inyi in Oji River.

“One thing about the governor is that he is somebody who is happy when somebody shows capacity. When we completed the project at Queens School within six months, the government graciously awarded us more jobs. The ones we are handling at Ekulu Girls and Iva Valley are also almost completed,” he stated.

He equally commended the governor for the upward review of the contract sum by the state when inflation bit hard to ensure that none of the projects failed.