With hearts full of hope and warmth, Ndi Anambra (the people of Anambra State) welcome a new dawn as Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo (CFR), and Deputy Governor, OnyekaChukwu Ibezim, take the oath of office for their second term on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. theirBright colours line the streets and smiles beam across faces as the Governor and his deputy close the chapter of their first term and step into the second.

The joy and gratitude were clearly evident on Sunday, 15 March, when Ndi Anambra gathered for an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Anambra International Convention Centre. The service was held to thank God for how the state has emerged as a shining example of progress within just 35 years of its existence.

The event was attended by the Governor and his wife, Nonye Soludo, as well as the Deputy Governor and his wife. Also present were distinguished personalities including former governor Chris Ngige, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Sly Ezeokenwa, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries. Leading clergymen and faith leaders were also in attendance.

The worship service followed an earlier prayer gathering held on Friday with the Anambra Muslim community in Awka.

During the events, Ndi Anambra thanked God for the remarkable achievements recorded during the first term of the Solution Government and prayed for even greater success in the next four years.

Speaking at the service, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Francis Wale Oke, observed that Anambra State had advanced remarkably since his first visit in 1981. He also praised the state’s endowment with resourceful men and women who have earned national and global acclaim.

“There is no doubt about it—Anambra State is moving from glory to glory. But that is because you trust in God and consciously commit your affairs into His hands,” Bishop Oke said.

The Founder and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International and Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University described Governor Soludo as a man of outstanding records and a determined achiever. He recalled knowing him since the era of President Olusegun Obasanjo at Aso Rock, Abuja, but noted that Soludo’s consistent habit of “putting God first” sets him apart.

“When you continually praise the Lord, God takes over your battles,” the PFN President added.

The leader of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, also commended Anambra’s commitment to seeking divine guidance in its affairs and praised Governor Soludo’s leadership.

Addressing the Governor through a representative, the Primate of Church of Nigeria said: “It is worthy of note that throughout your first tenure you anchored your leadership on service to God and to humanity.

“Like King Solomon, you asked God for wisdom. You shall reap the benefits of wisdom and service to God through humanity.

“It shall surely be well with you. It shall surely be well with Anambra. It shall surely be well with Ndi Anambra.”

Explaining the purpose of the interdenominational service, Governor Soludo said his administration considered it appropriate to thank God for guiding them thus far and to commit the future into His hands.

“We have come to say, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’

“When I embarked on this mission, I said: ‘God, if it is Your will, use me to transform my state.’

“I have come again to place the next four years into His hands, that He alone may take control.”

The Governor also praised his wife and family for standing firmly behind him throughout his journey and reassured them that he would not disappoint them.

To Ndi Anambra, he pledged that despite the notable achievements of the past four years, the next four years would be even more remarkable.

“On the next four years… O nwebero ife unu fulu—you have not seen anything yet. Come with me on this journey. Let us move forward together,” Soludo beckoned.

He also hinted that value and productivity—not faith or place of origin—will remain the guiding principles of his administration.

* Nnabuife FNGE, FSNA, is the Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO)

FEAR and pessimism remain the most potent forms of self-sabotage. Franklin D. Roosevelt captured this truth succinctly:

“The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” Given the climate of anxiety and grievance pervading Igboland, one must ask how the ambitious South-East Vision 2050 can succeed. Across the region, lamentations about Igbo-hate and marginalisation dominate public discourse. Rather than leveraging adversity as the Jews and African Americans did in the latter half of the twentieth century, many seem trapped in cycles of self-pity. Therein lies the deeper challenge.
The South-East Development Summit, held from 3–6 February in Enugu, marked a defining milestone with the launch of the Vision 2050 blueprint by the newly established South-East Development Commission (SEDC). Bringing together the five governors, stakeholders, and policy experts, the summit offered a platform for bold proposals aimed at accelerating socio-economic transformation.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State urged the region to prioritise investment and regional collaboration as pillars of sustainable growth. He challenged leaders and the intelligentsia to move beyond rhetoric and design a regional “Marshall Plan” coordinated by the SEDC — a framework for large-scale, integrated development. Central to this vision is infrastructure connectivity: inter-state railways, highways, industrial corridors, and a unified economic bloc rather than five fragmented states. Equally critical is the mobilisation of local and diaspora capital to drive industrial expansion, with strong private-sector participation.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State reinforced the call for integration, endorsing Vision 2050 as a long-term blueprint for coordinated growth. He emphasised synergy in planning, infrastructure, and investment attraction as prerequisites for sustainable prosperity. Governor Alex Otti of Abia State similarly described the blueprint as a decisive step toward long-term economic transformation and shared regional advancement.
Yet while the summit deserves commendation, one omission stands out: insufficient attention to socio-cultural reorientation. Economic blueprints cannot flourish where limiting mindsets prevail. Resistance to change, status quo bias, overreliance on external validation, and psychological self-limitation continue to constrain ambition. Development is as much a cultural undertaking as an economic one. Leadership reforms must be matched by a receptive and progressive followership.
Historical memory further complicates the landscape. The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) and the Biafran experience remain deeply embedded in the people's collective consciousness. It is a memory marked by loss, starvation, and difficult reintegration. More than five decades later, traits on marginalisation, infrastructure deficits, lack of political inclusion, unemployment and insecurity persist.
However, grievance alone cannot power transformation. As Nelson Mandela warned, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Memory must instruct, not imprison. Historical injustice should inform strategy, not define a people's identity.
Several strategic recalibrations are necessary.
First, the Igbo political project must be reframed around civic federalism. Calls for restructuring, devolution of power, state policing and fiscal federalism should be advanced as national imperatives, not ethnic demands. When Otto von Bismarck observed that politics is “the art of the possible,” he means that hope and smart strategy should be the hallmark. Constitutional pathways and forging broad coalitions, not rhetorical absolutism, yield durable reform.
Second, historical memory must be institutionalised rather than weaponised. The Nigeria Civil War should be properly documented, archived, and academically studied, as other societies with such collective traumas have done in the aftermath of the Holocaust, World War II, Rwanda Genocide etc. Structured remembrance acknowledges injustice without perpetuating paralysis. Justice emerges through patient documentation, lawful advocacy, and institutional reform — not escapism.
Third, the South-East’s post-war resurgence of Ndi Igbo demonstrates their power of enterprise and discipline. Within one generation, commercial hubs such as Onitsha and Aba were rebuilt, while Nnewi’s industrial clusters flourished through Igbo apprenticeship system and indigenous initiative. Beyond the zone, Igbo feats in the Diaspora show the same miraculous bounce back. This resilience mirrors David Ben-Gurion’s insight into the mindset that saw the Jews through: “In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.” The region’s economic revival was not born of grievance but of grit.
Fourth, influence within Nigeria’s plural federation demands coalition-building. Issues of structural frustrations are shared across the South-South, Middle Belt, and parts of the North. Such lacks are therefore not exclusive to Ndi Igbo and not touted as such. Issue-based alliances around fiscal federalism and institutional reform are more effective than solitary agitation. As Hannah Arendt noted, “power corresponds to the human ability not just to act but to act in concert.” Collective action multiplies influence.
Fifth, internal discourse must prioritise long-term wellbeing over reactive extremism. Movements such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) reflect genuine frustrations but risk entrenching a perpetual persecution narrative that narrows diplomatic space. Sustainable political leverage arises from structured civic engagement — policy platforms, youth leadership councils, economic think tanks, and constitutional advocacy. Mobilisation without governance rarely yields enduring outcomes.
Ultimately, the Igbo narrative must evolve from marginalisation to indispensability. The South-East remains one of Nigeria’s most literate and entrepreneurial regions, with thriving professionals across the federation and the Diaspora. The Igbo apprenticeship system (igba boi) has produced tens of thousands of self-made industrialists and money bags. These are not markers of helplessness but of capacity. Yet the hue and cry persist. No people rise beyond the limits of their own conviction. As William James argued, “pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.”
A balanced future for the zone should smartly situate pain within a broader story of hopeful reconstruction, innovation, and national contribution. Rather than centring discourse on exclusion, emphasis must shift toward co-authoring Nigeria’s modernisation — a position Governor Soludo consistently advances. When memory is disciplined by strategy and powered by innovation, historic suffering can yield historic leadership.
As William Shakespeare reminds us, “our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win.” The real battle, therefore, is not marginalisation but mindset reformation. And that is a battle the South-East can win.

• Nnabuife, Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, ANCISRO, writes from Awka 

EVEN the most accomplished propagandists might once have doubted that Nigeria would reach a point where its history could be taught to children with one of its foundational peoples deliberately marginalised or erased. Yet that is the unsettling reality now confronting the country’s basic education system.

Until recently, the idea of excluding the Igbo from the study of Nigerian history would have seemed absurd. Today, it is being openly debated. Reports of the non-inclusion — or severe marginalisation — of Igbo narratives in a junior secondary school History textbook have provoked public outrage. Beyond the immediate controversy lies a deeper concern: if such distortion can occur in History, what prevents similar erasures across other subjects?
At the centre of the storm is a textbook titled 'Living History,' reportedly authored by J. M. Itsekure, O. O. Olajide, and T. E. Taiwo. The book has circulated widely as a proposed junior secondary school History text and has been condemned on social media for allegedly excluding Igbo history while providing coverage for other Nigerian ethnic groups.
The Federal Ministry of Education has denied approving the book, stating that it was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the statutory body responsible for evaluating and approving school textbooks. According to the Ministry, 'Living History' is not on the official list of approved History texts. Nevertheless, the controversy has already exposed a troubling truth: Igbo history is increasingly being pushed to the margins of official narratives taught to Nigerian children.
The publisher, Accessible Publishers Ltd, has rejected claims of outright exclusion, insisting that the book contains Igbo-related content. These claims, however, remain unverified. Even so, the debate itself underscores a more enduring problem: the gradual relegation of Igbo history to footnotes, token mentions, or complete silence within accounts of Nigeria’s past.
This trend is especially jarring to those familiar with Nigeria’s historical record. The Igbo are not a peripheral group in the making of Nigeria. They are a principal people whose influence on the country’s political, economic, educational, and social development is fundamental.
Whether or not 'Living History' ultimately proves culpable, one fact remains clear: there is an emerging pattern of historical distortion in what Nigerian children are taught. As Francis Bacon observed, “Some battles cannot be won by politics or banter; they yield only to rigorous thought.”
How did Nigeria arrive at a point where omitting the Igbo from a History textbook became conceivable? Who benefits from such omissions, and for what purpose? How did one of the country’s three major ethnic groups descend, in official narratives, from centrality to near-invisibility? What version of Nigeria is being presented to its children, and to what end?
One wishes to dwell on enlightenment on this matter because Joseph Joubert, in Pensées (1842), reminds us that “Noise can dominate a moment, but reason shapes generations.” It is therefore necessary to restate, calmly and factually, the contributions of Ndi Igbo to the transformation of modern Nigeria —contributions that some historians, commentators, and institutions have sought to diminish. As Joubert further noted, “Debate seeks victory; intellectual engagement seeks truth.”
One of Nigeria’s most distinguished historians, Prof. Tekena Nitonye Tamuno — an Ijaw scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan — warned against precisely this trend. He observed that public discourse in Nigeria had increasingly normalised the denigration of the Igbo. Even when credited for their  due achievements, Ndi Igbo were often portrayed as domineering or disruptive, a characterisation unsupported by historical evidence.
A dispassionate review of Nigeria’s development tells a different story. Many pillars of modern Nigeria—economic dynamism, mass education, indigenous higher institutions, commercial integration, and civic consciousness—were significantly shaped by Igbo initiative and enterprise. Far from deserving reproach, Professor Tamuno argued, the Igbo deserve recognition for their transformative role in Nigeria’s modernity. He was unequivocal in his assessment: “The Igbo are the makers of modern Nigeria.”
One of his most compelling illustrations was the economic performance of Eastern Nigeria between 1954 and 1964. During this decade, scholarly accounts show that the Eastern Region recorded extraordinary growth. The Harvard Review described it as the fastest-growing regional economy in the world at the time, outperforming China, Singapore, and the emerging Asian Tiger economies (Tamuno, 1970; Forrest, 1981). This achievement was all the more remarkable given that Eastern Nigeria had the weakest revenue base among the regions.
Growth was not resource-driven but productivity-led — anchored in trade, education, and community mobilisation — what development economists now describe as human-capital-led growth (Todaro & Smith, 2015). Education lay at the centre of this transformation. The Eastern Regional Government invested approximately 45 per cent of its total revenue in education, an allocation exceptional by global standards.
Through Town Development Unions, Igbo communities pooled resources to build schools, supported by matching grants from the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation. Institutions such as National High School, Okigwe; Ngwa High School; and Mbaise Secondary School remain operational today, providing tangible evidence of the durability of this model. As Afigbo (1981) observed, education in the East was not an elitist privilege but a collective social project rooted in communal responsibility.
Healthcare and infrastructure followed the same logic. Every administrative division in Eastern Nigeria had a Joint Hospital under the Eastern Medical Services, ensuring broad access to medical care. The region also developed what contemporaries described as the most extensive modern road network in West Africa, facilitating trade and integration (Forrest, 1981). Unlike regions that prioritised prestige projects, the Eastern model emphasised social reach, durability, and mass welfare.
Igbo contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual architecture were equally profound. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), founded under Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, was Nigeria’s first truly indigenous university. Unlike colonial-era institutions designed to serve imperial administration, UNN was conceived as a development-oriented university, pioneering faculties in law, engineering, business, journalism, music, and the performing arts.
The early prominence of UNN graduates in Nigeria’s public service was not evidence of ethnic conspiracy, as critics alleged, but the predictable outcome of deliberate educational investment. As Crowder (1966) noted, accusations of “Igbo domination” reflected political anxiety rather than academic imbalance.
Azikiwe’s influence extended beyond Eastern Nigeria. His advocacy was instrumental to the establishment of University College Ibadan following the Eliot Commission, while the University of Lagos emerged from the ideological input of his political party, the NCNC-led federal coalition government, with an Igbo, Aja Wachukwu, serving as Minister of Education. Yet such contributions — including the pioneering role of Professor Eni Njoku as UNILAG’s first Vice-Chancellor — are often minimised or omitted from institutional histories.
Commerce offers another telling example. In fact, this development brings to the wisdom in Gov. Chukwuma Soludo's keenness for rescuing the Onitsha Main Market from the hands of the ignorant. The Onitsha Modern Market, built by the Eastern Government in the 1950s, was the first modern trade emporium in West Africa. Long before “globalisation” entered development discourse, Onitsha functioned as a continental commercial hub, attracting traders from across Africa. Its economic multiplier effects far exceeded those of prestige structures such as stadia or skyscrapers built in other regions which narratives of Nigerian history tend to trumpet. As Rodrik (2007) argues, integrated markets are far more consequential for long-term growth than symbolic monuments. Through the market emporium initiative, the entire Eastern region and neighbourhood has remained a buzz of commerce for over seven decades.
Equally transformative was the Igbo commitment to information, enlightenment, and the creative arts. Beyond the famous Onitsha Market Literature — which influenced the landmark African Writers Series and Nigeria’s Nollywood phenomenon — Eastern Nigeria established the first modern public library system in West Africa. Prof. Tamuno recalled that children across the region possessed library cards and regularly borrowed books well into the post–civil war decades, an extraordinary democratisation of knowledge.
'The Eastern Outlook,' Nigeria’s first government-owned newspaper, further boosted literacy and public awareness. These initiatives reflected what Chinua Achebe described as the Igbo cultural emphasis on inquiry, debate, and self-improvement.
Despite this record, post–civil war narratives have systematically diminished Igbo contributions while amplifying those of other regions. Professor Tamuno attributed this selective memory to control over media institutions and academic storytelling, warning that such distortions ultimately misinform both the marginalised and the beneficiaries of falsehood. Achebe’s metaphor remains apt: until the lion tells its own story, the hunter will always dominate the narrative.
To recognise Igbo contributions is not to deny those of other Nigerian peoples. It is to insist on historical balance and intellectual honesty. Facts show that Igbo should be hailed not bashed or skipped. Recognition is not a zero-sum exercise; it strengthens national cohesion by replacing resentment with understanding. Nigeria’s future cannot be built on myths sustained by silence or fear. It must rest on a truthful reckoning with the past.
As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns, the danger of a single story is profound. On the evidence, the Igbo story is not one of domination or sabotage, but of industry, innovation, and nation-building — a legacy deserving acknowledgement, not erasure. If anyone still pretends to be ignorant of how the Igbo nation transformed modern Nigeria let him cast a glance at the development templates of Gov. Soludo in Anambra State and recall how the great Zik of Africa and his era rejuvenated the then nascent nation with radical ideas.
You can't quench a wildfire with spittle. No matter how many spits. John Stuart Mill captured the essence of this struggle in On Liberty (1859): “The loudest voice may prevail today, but the clearest mind prevails tomorrow.” Those promoting the distortion of Nigeria’s history may command noise for now, but truth, ultimately, is more enduring.

* Nnabuife , Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office, ANCISRO, writes from Awka

The 1998 AFPF Fellows at our pre-departure gathering in Washinton DC 

By Angela Agoawike

It was a group photograph of the staff of the Post Gazette posted on Facebook by the PG’s illustrious former foreign editor, Greg Victor, that made me aware of the impending closure. Thereafter, I googled: ‘is the Pittsburgh Post Gazette closing?’ read it and got to understand better, the reason for the closure.

 According to the publishers - the Block Communications-,  the newspaper has, for the past two decades, experienced financial loss of over 350 million dollars. Also cited as contributing to the impending closure was a court ruling that, according to The Guardian of London (Post Gazette will not allow me read the story without a subscription), reinstated  the “terms of a 2014 - 2017 labour agreement between the company and the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, which embarked on a 3 years strike” after Block Communications was said to have “unilaterally, implemented changes to working conditions, including health care”. The publisher had said that the court ruling “imposes on the Post-Gazette, outdated and inflexible operational practices unsuited for today’s local journalism”.

 Without taking sides, I would say that it is a tough position to be in for either party. As a worker, you want the best for yourself. That is your primary source of income, plus you have a family to care for - children to clothe and educate, plus bills to pay. So, you have a legitimate need for improved working conditions. A labourer deserves his/her wages.

 Then, as an employer, you are running a business and that business is expected to  generate income with which to pay those that work to grow the business. As a business owner, you also have so many responsibilities including statutory obligations to meet. The business serves the employer and the employee and none should take undue advantage of the other.

 However, if you are running a business that for decades has run at, not just a loss, but one running into more than 300 million, I dare say that you have to find ways to cut your cost, and at some point, make a decision about that business. They come with impact and repercussions.

 You see, when I applied for, and was chosen as one of two winners from Nigeria of the prestigious Press Fellowship that allowed me to experience the Post Gazette, I was the Woman’s Page editor at the Post Express Newspaper in Apapa, Lagos. The Fellowship gave the Fellows an opportunity to live and work in the United States for 6 months. Post-AFPF Fellowship, I was the features editor, and later became the Editor of the Sunday edition of the Post Express Newspaper - The Post Express on Sunday. I also had the opportunity to equally edit the Daily Times on Saturday and National Interest on Saturday.  So, I have a fairly good idea of what it takes to either work for, or be a manager in the legacy media.

 It was not the only Fellowship I had  received in the course of my career, and going for the AFPF programme was also, not my first trip to the United States, as I had been there twice previously to cover the UN Preparatory Committee Meetings on the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This, however, was special: I was actually going to practise my profession in the United States.

 We had come from different parts of the world - Doyin Adedeji, my co-winner from Nigeria, Ramyata Limbu (Nepal), Harvier (Uruguay), Vaguinaldo Marinheiro and Cristina Masuda (Brazil), Florencia Arbisher (Argentina), Shareen Singh and Phylicia Opelt (South Africa), Hanan Hamad (Egypt), Rory Rostand (Trinidad and Tobago. I reconnected with Rory in Port of Spain while working at the Gas Exporting Exporting Countries Forum, of which T&T is a member country), Adnan Adil (Pakistan), Moise Mannan Haque, (India), Agneizka Kosowicz,  (Poland)  and Eric Shimoli (Kenya), gathered at the Lincoln Suits in Downtown DC, for an orientation programme that took us to  the University of Maryland, and a sit-in at one of the White House’s Press briefings, before we were dispatched across the country for a five-month-hands-on newsroom experience in some of the best newspaper organisations in the country.

 The Post-Gazette was one of the  great institutions in the city of Pittsburgh, with John Craig as the editor. Staff were expected to turn in copies that would stand the test of time. It was in this establishment located on Number 33 Blvd of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh that I found myself. I felt that I was there to let those unaware, become aware that somewhere in the world, on the incredible continent of Africa, there was a country with intelligent and multi-culturally beautiful people called Nigeria.

 Outside of geographical and social construct, my sojourn at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette opened me up to a different reporting style. One of the most memorable stories I did was a report on AIDS in the Black community. On the day that I shared this front page bye-line with one of PG’s great reporters Ed Levin, I also wrote an obituary piece. I was to understand later that obituary pieces and front page bye-lines were the editor’s favourites, and I scored both on my debut.

 The death of  Chief M. K. O. Abiola was announced shortly after I arrived the PG in July of that year.  Expectedly, it fell on me to write a piece on his death and the impact that would have on Nigeria, I was prepared, having covered that election for then Sunday Times, alongside my editor, Ejiro Gray Onobrakpeya, in his official white and red painted Peugeot 504. The election was annulled by then self-styled President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.  I had also covered much of the push back/resistance - murders, demonstrations, secret meetings by human rights communities - that accompanied the annulment.  Reflecting and writing on Abiola’s death from afar was a sobering reminder of the risks many, including my colleagues (senior and contemporaries) who dared challenge authoritarian power faced, and also, the cost of unfinished democratic struggles in my country, even decades after.

 While working at the Post Gazette, I was privileged to cover a reception held for the visiting former vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, who was vying to fly  his party - the People’s Democratic Party’s flag in the 1999 Presidential election, by Professor of robotics engineering, Barth Nnaji, who had made Pittsburgh home. Engaging with stories like his reinforced the importance of spotlighting Nigerian excellence around the world. I was also privileged to interact with the next generation of journalists, through my talks with students at the University of Pittsburgh, sharing my experiences and insights as a journalist from a country some of them may never have heard of.

 The fellowship, which was at the height of the Clinton-Lewinsky White House ‘Affair’, also coincided with America’s 1998 election. Tom Ridge was the Governor of Pennsylvania and he visited the PG. I remember one of the staff asking him: “Governor, would you like a cup of coffee?” Governor Ridge said yes, and coffee was brought to him in a plastic cup, the type everyone was using. And yet again, one of the candidates vying for a local position was forced to pull out of the race because the media, including the PG, took him to task on the impropriety of using an helicopter to spy on his opponent in his home. I also remember an instance that the freedom of information law was invoked to get the record of a traffic offense.

 Sally Karlson, a colleague at the PG had agreed to rent the attic of her home to me even before I arrived.  Her beautiful house on Squirrel Hill, stood at an intersection of the road that was bordered by a Cemetery. I remember my first night there, with nostalgic smile. Sally and her family were departing for a planned summer holiday, trustfully leaving me, a total stranger alone in their house. To “protect” myself form any ‘eventuality’, I kept a kitchen knife beside me as I slept that first night. Poor knife, I wonder what it would have done for  me had there been any intruder. Sally also introduced me to some of her friends, and at one point, organised a cooking session that brought many of her female friends together for us to each prepare a meal that was local to us. I believe I cooked jollof rice, what else!

 The way I was embraced by Sally’s family, especially her lovely mum Edna, who despite her advanced age, took me to visit flower gardens and other public places was awesome.  I remember asking Sally why of all the people in the newsroom, including blacks, she volunteered her space. Her response was one I never forgot. She told me that she grew up in an environment where the only blacks she came in contact with were those who came to work and leave, and she wanted to have the experience of interacting with other blacks. For that, she also, consciously enrolled her daughter Zoe, in a school with black pupils. Indeed, we are not responsible for what happened before we were born, but we can help change the trajectory of our now, and be the architect of our future.

 With Sally’s home as my base, I explored Pittsburgh, and other residential neighborhoods such as Duquesne, Allentown, Shadyside, Mount Washington etc.  I read as many books as I could at the Barnes and Noble bookstore on Squirrel Hill. I also bought loads of them that I brought  back to Nigeria  at the end of my Fellowship. Pittsburgh, with its multi-cultural identity, the multicultural make-up of my own country, — reinforced my appreciation for journalism that is practised locally, but impacts globally.

 The Fellowship afforded me the opportunity to also re-visit New York during our mid-term reunion, and travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with Shareen and Hanan for  the summer Camp of the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS). While conversing among ourselves about how we’d love to go see the geysers in nearby Montana, there was a gentleman man sitting by us. You can imagine our surprise and happiness when one of the participants - a Washington Post Editor approached us to say that the husband told her we would like to visit Montana, we said yes and she told us that her husband would take us.  I also travelled to Houston, and visited Florencier in San Antonio, both in the State of Texas.

 As I reflect on those six months in 1998, triggered by the looming shut down of the PG, I remain profoundly grateful to the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship for the opportunity, and to the colleagues at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who opened their arms and embraced me in their newsroom - Dorothy (Dot) Conway, with whose family I spent Thanksgiving, David my mentor, Greg Victor, among others, whose names I cannot easily remember. Most importantly, I remember the lady at the ‘canteen’ who always remembered my order - ice cream and pop corn or coke and pop corn.

 And as it prepares to shut its doors permanently, after 240 years, I remember a Post Gazette that helped to sharpen my reporting skills, expand my worldview, and strengthen my commitment to people-centred journalism.

 Now I run my own media organisation - a radio station called Omalicha 91.1FM (listen to us via www.omalichamedia.com). I always think of the  community-focused reporting that I gained from the PG, and my efforts to introduce that to radio broadcasting, bearing in mind the proximity of radio to the community.  

Generally, the media plays a tripple function - keeping government accountable, performing social responsibilty role and is also a business. In order to effectively perform the first two roles, it needs to thrive as a business. To marry these competing needs, something needs to be done differently, the playbook needs to change.

 The Block Communications said that they regretted the impact their “decision to shut down will have on Pittsburgh and the surrounding region”. As a proud alumni of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, I share in that regret. I feel for the people who will lose a trusted ally, in the PG, and the great journalists who will be thrown out of employment come May 2026. 

 Our reasons for visiting places — even during Yuletide homecomings — are varied and often overlapping. 

Sometimes it is curiosity about geographical marvels that blends with the desire to reconnect with memory or the simple craving for inspiring locations. It could be to satisfy a yearning that remains constant within us. At the heart of it, almost all humans share an impulse: to encounter something fresh, novel and, at times, historic.

In Anambra State this Yuletide, residents and visitors alike are being offered precisely such historical experiences, alongside a rich array of cultural staples that speak to both pleasure and understanding the real meaning of life through 'Onwa Dezemba' festivities.

 In 'Onwa Dezemba,' the state’s carefully curated end-of-year and New Year cultural menu, the period, Boxing Day through Sunday, 28 December, is dedicated to masquerading across major urban centres such as Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwuluobia. Designated as days of Igba Mmanwu — masquerade performances — these dates provide a public stage for some of the artistic traditions that have long distinguished Anambra State on the global cultural map.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognises Anambra for its rich masquerade heritage. Foremost among these is the Ijele, a monumental performance masquerade that symbolically links the living, the dead and the unborn. Inscribed as a world cultural heritage, Ijele is complemented by other internationally acclaimed performance forms rooted in the state, including Atilogwu and Egedege. The Igba Mmanwu dates thus invite audiences to step into Anambra’s streets to witness living spectacles, while also becoming participants in the world history they represent. As a UNESCO-endorsed “World Living Heritage of Collective Memory and Cultural Tourism”, an Ijele performance transforms the spectator to part of that collective memory.

To appreciate the place of masquerades among the Igbo — and particularly among Ndi Anambra — a brief exploration of what Ijele represents as both art and value system is instructive.

Across many societies, culture endures not solely in monuments, but in living practices that embody a people’s worldview, ethics and social organisation. Among Ndi Igbo of South-Eastern Nigeria, the Ijele masquerade stands as one of the most profound expressions of such living heritage. Far more than performance, Ijele operates as a symbolic system through which community memory, social order and ancestral authority are distilled into a single artistic form. UNESCO recognises it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of outstanding global significance and as a potential pillar for sustainable cultural tourism and heritage policy.

Aesthetically, Ijele uniquely embodies collective identity through its scale, structure and symbolism. Philosophically, it is known as Nnukwu Mmanwu — the great masquerade. Towering several metres high, it dominates the performance space, reflecting its status as the moral and cultural apex of masquerade traditions. Its multi-tiered construction mirrors Igbo cosmology, symbolising the interconnected realms of the ancestors, the living community and future generations.

Adorning Ijele’s expansive costume are miniature figures representing artisans, traders, leaders, animals and other elements of everyday life. These figures are not decorative flourishes; they are statements of inclusivity, affirming that society is whole only when every role is recognised. In this sense, Ijele functions as a moving archive of communal life and shared values.

Notably, Ijele is not an aggressive masquerade, yet it embodies unquestioned authority. Its slow, deliberate movements and measured rhythms symbolise restraint, wisdom and order. This reflects a core Igbo political philosophy in which legitimacy derives from consensus, moral standing and communal respect, rather than coercion.

Ijele, therefore, is simultaneously a cultural institution, a philosophical statement and a living archive of Igbo civilisation. By offering tourists and holidaymakers the opportunity to engage with such icons, Anambra State presents a compelling model of how tradition, creativity and community governance intersect within the convivial spirit of the season.

 Yet Ijele is only one strand in Anambra’s vast masquerade repertoire. Long before modern cultural policy and UNESCO listings, Igbo masquerades had already confounded colonial observers who described them as "uniting sculpture, costume, music and dance into a single, highly organised art form.”

Some Anambra communities own over a hundred masquerade forms. The excitement is that they all have unique dance patterns and peculiar drumbeats. They are performed by very proud age grades members, families or clans and other social groups. In same manner, there are families known for distinct art in masquerading such as mask-carving or costumes creation or facilitating the ease-of-perfomance of given masquerades. In Umuoji, Idemili South Local Government Area, for instance, the annual Uzo Oyi festival in March features more than sixty masquerades, appearing as wild beasts, giant birds, lions, tigers and elephants, among others. Many communities across the state maintain their own distinctive masked traditions, often accompanied by memorable dance forms performed by energetic young men.

Across Anambra, masquerades such as Agaba, Okwomma, Ulaga, Igaliga, Ajibuusu, Achakwu, Ikpachi, Wonder, Ekete, Okworocha and Atu are widely known, alongside deeply mystical forms like the fearsome Ajo Ofia and the long-necked Oza Ebune masquerades, which appear mainly in village squares across Ihiala, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo and Nnewi South Local Government Areas.

Indeed, through the 'Igba Mmanwu' session of the 'Onwa Dezemba' fiesta Anambra State's Solution Government of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo delves into a seldom projected property of Igbo identity and values — masquerades. The early 20th century Anglican missionary and ethnographer, G. T. Basden who lived among the Igbo for decades and wrote extensively about their culture. In 'Among the Ibos of Nigeria' (1921), acknowledged the richness of Igbo music, dance and ritual art, even while writing from a missionary worldview. His words: “The Ibo people possess a natural sense of rhythm and music which finds expression in their dances, chants and festivals. Their ceremonies are marked by a remarkable combination of colour, movement and sound."

Setting aside a few evenings to savour these masquerade performances is therefore, a highly recommended Yuletide indulgence. 'Onwa Dezemba' is all the richer for having Igba Mmanwu at the heart of its cultural programme.

• Nnabuife, author and Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO) writes from Awka

EEDC Denies Allegation Of Massive Power Outage In Imo

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has denied purported plans to carry out a massive power outage in Imo State, saying it is committed to serving its customers and continues to make significant investments aimed at improving supply reliability and overall service quality across the state.

The Imo State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, alleged that EEDC was planning a massive electricity outage in Imo to sabotage the state government’s electricity project. He said the company wants to unleash major power outages in Imo State in a bid to frustrate and sabotage the Light Up Imo project, which would soon provide uninterrupted light to all parts of the state.

But the EEDC head of Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said on Sunday that the allegations were baseless, unfounded, and completely devoid of truth.

APC South-east Calls for Expedited Action on State Creation in Southeast

The All Progressives Congress National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeomah Arodiogbu, on Sunday called on the National Assembly to expedite work on the bill seeking the creation of a new state in the South-East, insisting that the move is long overdue for equity and fairness.

His appeal comes four months after the bill for the creation of Anim State, sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso of Imo West, passed second reading in the Senate.

The proposed legislation, which seeks to carve the state out of parts of Anambra and Imo, is currently before the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review. In a statement issued in Abuja, Arodiogbu urged lawmakers to remain resolute and ensure the bill completes all constitutional stages.

Bandits Are Mercenaries Brought in by Politicians - Orji Uzor Kalu

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Uzor Kalu says that bandits are mercenaries brought into Nigeria by politicians.

Uzor Kalu made this statement in an interview on a televised program.

His comments came against the backdrop of the renewed security challenges across the country.

When pressed on whether President Bola Tinubu was aware of this grave information, Senator Kalu expressed confidence in the President's knowledge, assuring that the Federal Government is equal to the task.

Thirty-five Abducted Church Members Released

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has announced the release of 38 persons who were recently abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, on Sunday.

The governor credited President Bola Tinubu, for his hands-on involvement in the rescue operation. 

AbdulRazaq further thanked federal security agencies and local forces involved in the operation.

Vice President Shettima Heads to Luanda for AU-EU Summit

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Johannesburg for Luanda to represent President Bola Tinubu at the AU-EU Summit scheduled to hold in Angola.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.

Nkwocha said Shettima, who left South Africa on Sunday, would join other Heads of State and Government from the African Union and the European Union for the 7th meeting of the two bodies.

According to him, the meeting is scheduled to take place from Monday to Wednesday in Luanda, the capital of Angola.

President Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Officers Attached to ‘VIPs’

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties.

The directive was issued during a security meeting the president held on Sunday in Abuja with service chiefs and the director-general of the Department of State Services.

According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs requiring protection will now be assigned armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police.

The withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs comes amid long-standing concerns over the overstretching of Nigeria’s police force. Several reports have highlighted that more than 100,000 police officers are assigned to politicians, businessmen, and other VIPs.

BUSINESS

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has dismissed allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar claiming that the appointment of Xpress Payments as a payment channel for federal revenue collection was politically motivated. It insisted that the remark was “misleading” and risks distorting public understanding of Nigeria’s tax administration system.

Atiku had, in a statement, accused the Federal Government of handing a “monopoly” to Xpress Payments for tax collections. 

But responding on Sunday, the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, Aderonke Atoyebi, said the former Vice President’s assertions were incorrect and capable of politicising what she described as a purely administrative and technical issue.

FOREIGN

The European Union has pledged about 15.5 billion euros to support a clean-energy future across the African continent, alongside additional commitments aimed at expanding renewable energy generation and improving household access to electricity.

The commitment is led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of a year-long campaign to mobilise investment in Africa’s renewable-energy transition.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the European Commission.

According to the statement, the European Union led the pledging effort with more than 15.1 billion euro.

SPORTS

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday, with new signing Eberechi Eze scoring a brilliant hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium.

Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in the summer, was the star of the derby. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the first half after controlling a pass and finishing into the far corner. Minutes later, Eze made it 2–0 with a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Just 35 seconds into the second half, Eze struck again, placing another low shot into the bottom corner to give Arsenal full control. Tottenham pulled one back when Richarlison spotted goalkeeper David Raya off his line and scored from long range. 

Arsenal later restored their three-goal lead as Eze completed his hat-trick with another composed finish, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in this derby in nearly 50 years.

• Put together by Chukwuemeka Paschal-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Imo PDP Rejects Dissolution of State Executive at Ibadan Convention

The Imo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the dissolution of its state leadership at the recently concluded National Convention of the party, which took place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In a press statement issued by its spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, the party described the convention that led to the suspension of its executive as illegal, noting that it was conducted in disregard of a subsisting judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered by Justice James Omotosho on 31 October 2025, which ordered the withholding of the convention until the party complied with its constitution.

The Imo PDP urged its members and supporters to completely disregard the report, which it described as a wishful thought existing in the imaginations of its purveyors.

The state chapter of the party asserted that what occurred on 15 and 16 November was a mere gathering of a Committee of Friends for a tea party, which, it observed, attempted an exercise that later ended in futility.

UNIZIK Appoints Vice Chancellor

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has appointed Prof. Bond Anyaechie as its substantive Vice Chancellor, marking the end of a year-long leadership impasse that followed the controversial removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Olugbenga Kukoyi, during a press briefing in Abuja.

Odoh’s earlier appointment had been reversed by President Bola Tinubu amid allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process and questions surrounding his academic credentials. 

The move triggered widespread criticism from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the university’s chapter of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, which condemned the appointment as irregular and prejudicial, especially as the matter was already in court.

Kukoyi described the fresh selection process as both thorough and transparent, noting that the council followed due process at every stage.

DSS Operatives Arms Supply Networked Linked to Plateau State Attacks

Operatives of the Department of State Services have disrupted an alleged arms supply network linked to attacks in Plateau State and neighbouring areas, arresting a suspected arms dealer.

The suspect was arrested on November 12, 2025, following intelligence that led operatives to his workshop in the Mista Ali area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A statement from the service on Sunday said the suspect allegedly manufactured and distributed weapons and ammunition to armed groups operating in Plateau and other northern states.

The operation comes days after the service recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, a Kuje Prison escapee accused of involvement in the Owo and Deeper Life Church attacks.

NAFDAC Charges RVSG on Implementation of Policy on Pharmacovigilance

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has urged the Rivers State Government to ensure that all health facilities in the state fully implement the National Policy on Pharmacovigilance.

She made the call in Port Harcourt during a stakeholders’ meeting themed “Grassroots Community Sensitisation on Pharmacovigilance.”

The National Policy on Pharmacovigilance is a government guideline that ensures all medicines are closely monitored for safety and that any harmful reactions are promptly reported and addressed.

Speaking through the Director of the Pharmacovigilance Directorate, Dr Uchenna Elemuwa, the NAFDAC DG explained that the policy, created in 2012, outlines the responsibilities of health ministries, healthcare workers, and patients in ensuring the safety of medicines.

Sokoto State Launches Response to Cholera Outbreak

The Sokoto State Government says it has launched a rapid response to the cholera outbreak reported across 12 local government of the state.

The incident, which was first recorded earlier this week, prompted an emergency mobilisation of health personnel and supplies to the affected communities.

A top official at the State Ministry of Health, Biliyaminu Sifawa, who confirmed the development on behalf of the Executive Secretary of State Primary health Development Centre, said health workers were deployed to Primary Health Centres within 24 hours of notification.

Sifawa added that the state also intensified community sensitisation on hygiene, safe water handling and the dangers of open defecation, measures described as critical to halting further transmission.

FOREIGN

US Lawmaker Faults President Tinubu on Alleged Religious Persecution

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s claims that Nigeria does not encourage religious persecution, insisting that the reality on the ground contradicts the President’s public statements.

In a post on X on Sunday, shared by Moore, he cited Tinubu’s earlier assertion that his administration opposes religious persecution, responding, “@officialABAT claims his government opposes religious persecution. But 12 states have Sharia law, and a Christian faces the death penalty for defending his farm from a Muslim Fulani militant who stabbed him repeatedly.

Moore also shared a video of a Fox News Sunday interview with anchor Shannon Bream, who read out Tinubu’s November statement on religious freedom in Nigeria.

Moore’s remarks come after US President Donald Trump, on October 31, designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, warning that the Nigerian government must stop the killings or the United States would deploy troops to wipe out the jihadists.

The Federal Government has repeatedly denied claims of a systematic Christian genocide, describing such allegations as false, misleading, and a distortion of Nigeria’s security challenges.

……………

SPORTS

The National football team, Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup dream suffered a major blow on Sunday as DR Congo advanced to the intercontinental playoff following a dramatic penalty shootout at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

The match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, sending the high-stakes encounter to penalties. Nigeria initially went ahead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute, but DR Congo equalised in the 32nd minute through M. Elia. Extra time saw both teams create chances, with Tolu Arokodare missing a header for Nigeria and Nwabali making a crucial save from a DR Congo free kick, but neither side could break the deadlock.

 ..... packaged by Paschal Chukwuemeka

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Group Set to Clean up Azaraegbelu

A team of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) advocates has intensified efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and balance as part of the global drive for sustainable living.

During a visit to Omalicha Radio, the group led by Jonathan Chijioke Onukwuje, emphasized the importance of SDG 6, which focuses on environmental protection and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The visit was part of preparations for a sensitization and clean-up exercise scheduled to take place in the Azaraegbelu community.

According to the advocates, the initiative aims not only to rid the area of waste but also to educate residents on the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

The team announced plans to tackle the growing refuse dumps that line the roads and market area of Azaraegbelu, while also introducing residents to best practices in waste management and environmental care.

Mpam Ancient Kingdom to Install Monarch

The Mpam Ancient Kingdom in Ekwerazu, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, is set to witness a defining cultural moment as it prepares for the Coronation of His Royal Highness, Eze Leonard Chukwudi Ogbata (Onuguotu II).

The  event, scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the historic Eke Mpam Market Square, is expected to draw dignitaries and indigenes from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The coronation is being hailed by community leaders as a "cultural rebirth" and significant turning point in the kingdom’s history. In a joint statement, the Coronation Central Planning Committee, chaired by Nze Uchechi Obasi, and the Subcommittee on Media and Publicity, led by Chief Iyke Anyanwu (Ikukundu), underscored the event's importance beyond the ceremonial title.

According to the statement, the people of Mpam are already excited and standing firmly behind their Eze and the Mpam Progressive Union, pledging total support and loyalty ahead of the historic event. From the villages to the diaspora, Mpam sons, daughters, in-laws, friends, and well-wishers are rallying in unity for what is set to be one of the most significant cultural gatherings in Mbaise.

Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Nationwide Strike

Healthcare services across the country are set to experience major disruptions today as about 11,000 members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commence an indefinite nationwide strike.

The industrial action, which began at 12:00 am today, will affect 91 healthcare facilities across the country.

This development was confirmed by the NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim on Friday.

The strike is expected to cripple operations in Federal Medical Centres, teaching hospitals, specialist institutions, and private health facilities.

Judges Orders Non-recognition of PDP Convention Outcome

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the convention.

The judge predicated the decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.

The judge held that evidence provided by the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.

In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its National Chairman without the National Secretary violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.

Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway: Arab Contractors Get Marching Orders

 The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed Arab Contractors handling the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway to complete the remaining 4.5-kilometres Abia section before the end of November.

Umahi gave the directive on Friday in Aba after inspecting the progress of work on the project. He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the section, warning that the contract would be revoked, if the deadline was not met.

He assured the contractor of prompt payment, describing the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as a reliable partner that does not renege on its financial obligations.

Umahi praised Governor Alex Otti of Abia for his unwavering commitment to the development of the state and for supporting the president’s infrastructure agenda.

President Trump Designates Nigeria Country of Interest

President Donald Trump of the United States on Friday designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, in response to allegations of widespread persecution and genocide against Christians.

Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that Christianity faces a serious threat in Nigeria. The US leader also added Nigeria to a State Department watch list.

According to the US president, he was placing Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and most populous nation, on a “Countries of Particular Concern” list of nations the US deems to have engaged in religious freedom violations.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has rejected remarks by United States President Donald Trump. In a statement issued on Saturday morning by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the claims do not reflect the situation on the ground.

The government noted that while it appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate.

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 October 31, 2025

Governor Uzodimma Canvases For Good Governance To Combat Insecurity In Africa 

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said that democracy and good governance are the permanent panacea to the security challenges besieging African nations.

He argued that democracy begets good governance, which in turn begets quality health care, good education, and employment opportunities for the citizens. He insists that when good governance thrives, the conditions that encourage insecurity will diminish.

Uzodimma, who spoke on the topic Non-State Actors And Entrepreneurship Development In Africa: Challenges Responses and Way Forward noted that African leaders must embrace democracy and good governance to defeat insecurity.

Speaking as a keynote lecturer to the participants of Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18, at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Uzodimma urged African leaders to adopt the model of good governance practices evident in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in Nigeria which he said has significantly brought down the disruptive activities of non-state actors in the country.

He explained that the model involves the government not leaving any void for non-state actors to exploit and unleash havoc on the nations.

Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB Leader Seeks Dismissal of Charges

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release. In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”

The IPOB leader, who is representing himself, filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.

Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.

NSCDC Deploys 10, 000 Operatives for Anambra Governorship Polls

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed over 10,000 operatives to ensure adequate security during the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8.

The Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment, which includes tactical forces from the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

The move, according to the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, is part of efforts to support the Nigeria Police Force, which is the lead agency for election security.

Babawale said that the deployment was aimed at maintaining peace and guaranteeing a credible electoral process.

He added that the Commandant General had addressed State Commandants and Heads of Tactical Squads, warning politicians and their supporters against any actions or statements capable of inciting violence before, during, or after the election.

 Lawmakers Call for Digital Civic `registration System

The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a fully digital civil registration system for births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events in Nigeria, describing accurate population data as indispensable to effective national planning and governance.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, made the call in Abuja, while declaring open a public hearing on a Bill to Repeal and Re-enact the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act.

According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to modernise Nigeria’s outdated civil registration system by introducing a secure electronic framework for collecting, managing, and sharing vital statistics.

Abbas said a digital registration platform would eliminate duplication and fraud, improve access to vital records nationwide, and enhance identity management across public institutions.

He added that the reforms were consistent with international best practices and United Nations recommendations on civil registration and vital statistics.

 Senate Begins Consideration of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Autism Bill

The Senate on Thursday began consideration of a Bill seeking to establish a National Centre for Autism in six zonal centres across the country for research, diagnosis, and care. ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. It manifests differently in individuals, making early diagnosis and tailored intervention essential for meaningful inclusion and personal development.”

The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), aims to institutionalise early detection and intervention for children and adults with autism while promoting awareness, professional training, and nationwide inclusion. 

Leading debate on the general principles of the Bill titled “An Act to Establish the National Centre for Autism and Six Zonal Centres for Autism Diagnosis, Research, Education, and Care; and for Related Matters,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative was long overdue and critical to Nigeria’s social and public health development. She identified the zones as Kaduna, Bauchi, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja.

Citing data from the World Health Organisation, the lawmaker noted that one in every 100 children globally is diagnosed with autism, adding that due to poor awareness and limited diagnostic capacity, Nigeria’s true prevalence rate is likely far higher.

 FG Unveils Digitised National Waste Management Programme

The Federal Government, on Thursday, unveiled an innovative digital platform designed to formalize the country’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users in a transparent and traceable system.

The platform was launched at a sensitization workshop and the unveiling of the National Waste Marketplace Programme, themed “Digitising and formalising the circular economy through technology,” in Abuja.

The initiative, organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in collaboration with Recycle Stack Limited, brought together stakeholders from across the waste management and recycling sectors to discuss strategies for advancing a circular economy in Nigeria.

By leveraging technology, the platform aims to create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while promoting environmental compliance, material recovery, and sustainable production and consumption patterns.

 BUSINESS NEWS

FG Approves Measure to Offset Pension Liabilities

The Federal Government has approved ₦758 billion in bonds to offset long-standing pension liabilities, including pension increases owed since 2007.

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this on Thursday in Yola at a two-day sensitisation workshop on the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees and Pensioners in the North-East.

Oloworaran, represented by the Commissioner for Administration in PenCom, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, described the approval as a bold step by President Bola Tinubu to bring relief to vulnerable pensioners and restore confidence in the pension system.

She said the workshop formed part of ongoing reforms to enhance awareness and deepen understanding of the CPS among retirees and other stakeholders.

 SPORTS NEWS

The Nigeria National League, NNL, has approved the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki for the 2025-26 season.

The venue is the home ground of NNL side, Abakaliki FC.

The NNL Stadium inspection representative, Mr Foster Chima expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the venue.

Chima described the facilities at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium as one of the best in the country.

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October 28

IMSG Debunks Claim of Award of Contract by Speaker Olemgbe

Imo State Government has decisively debunked a viral document circulating on social media which claimed that the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, had awarded 500 million naira in contracts for constituency projects in the Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area.

In a formal clarification issued today, October 27, 2025, the Ministry of Special Projects explained that the controversial document was a mere project proposal and not an approved contract or a record of funds disbursed.

The statement, signed by Mrs. A. O. John-Njoku on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Special Projects, firmly noted that the document was being circulated by individuals’ intent on misleading the public and discrediting the Speaker.

According to the Ministry, the paper was one among several constituency project proposals submitted by state lawmakers for administrative consideration. The government emphasized that the document has not been approved, funded, or executed by any government agency.

Rescued Children  Handed Over  to Parents by Police

The Abia State Police Command has announced that some of the children who were earlier rescued in October 2025 have been reunited with their parents.

A statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia Command, said that the children were handed over to their parents after the parents provided all necessary documents to identify the rescued children as their own.

She said that Mr. Akinrinola Aliya Ayomide, who is from Lagos State, was reunited with his daughter, Akinrinola Aliyat Ayomide, one of those rescued in October 2025.

The Police Command spokesperson also disclosed that Mr. Oladapo Olanipekun, also from Lagos, identified and was reunited with little Master Olanipekun Akoede Daniel, one of the rescued children, as his child.

She advised that anyone whose child is missing should visit the Gender Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) or contact the OC Gender.

Hold Your LG Chairmen Accountable

With the tripple-fold increase in monthly allocations to all tiers of government, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),  Nentawe Yilwatda, has asked Nigerians to hold their state governors and Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen accountable.

He stated that no Governor and the LGA chairmen get less than triple or four times of what they used to get as monthly allocations before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

The Chairman spoke on Monday in Abuja at a book launch titled “Vicious Red Circle”, written by Amb. Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku.

While giving indices that the current administration was getting economic policies right, the APC Chairman said it is his dream that Nigeria moves forward under his party. 

 Minister for Solid Minerals Calls for Increased Investment

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called for increased investment stakes in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

He said there have been positive reforms that promise higher returns on investments in the sector.

Alake spoke at this year’s China Mining Conference with the theme: Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share, in Tianjin.

The minister assured his host that the security situation in Nigeria has improved tremendously.

He said the sector has witnessed security reforms, including the establishment of Mining Marshals and the satellite mines monitoring project.

AGF Fagbemi Asks Court to Dismiss Akpoti Uduaghan’s Case

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has asked a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, to dismiss an objection the embattled Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filed to challenge the defamation charge pending against her.

The AGF, in a counter-affidavit he filed before the court, stressed that the charge was a product of a comprehensive and conclusive investigations he said established a prima facie case against the lawmaker. Denying the allegation that his office abused the court process, the AGF, in a counter-affidavit he filed before the court, equally faulted the defendant’s claim that her own petitions were not investigated.

The development came on a day the trial judge, Justice Chizoba Orji, slated December 1 to hear the preliminary objection Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed to quash the three-count charge the Federal Government entered against her.

In the charge marked: CR/297/25, Federal Government alleged that the defendant who was earlier handed a six-month suspension by the Senate, made false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as a guest on a live television program. According to Federal Government, the defendant, by her claim, committed an offence under 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under section 392 of the same law.

FOREIGN 

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term following an election in which two of his biggest challengers were barred from running, provisional results show.

Ouattara won 89.8% of the vote, the electoral commission said on Monday, and businessman Jeal-Louis Billon came a distant second with only 3.09%.

The landslide victory is not a huge surprise, as after being banned from the presidential race, former President Laurent Gbagbo and Credit Suisse ex-CEO Tidjane Thiam had urged their supporters to boycott the vote.

Voter turnout reached just 50.1%, according to the electoral commission. Gbagbo's ex-wife Simone Gbagbo, who was allowed to contest the election, got 2.42% of the vote. Monday's results are provisional and the final outcome will be announced by the Constitutional Council after it rules on any election petitions.

BUSINESS

The Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) recorded a strengthening of the Naira against the US Dollar on October 28, 2025, while the parallel market rate maintained a relatively stable position. Currency traders and businesses are closely monitoring the market dynamics following recent CBN interventions and policy adjustments.

As of the latest reporting time today, the official exchange rate in the NFEM stands at approximately 1,457.06 Naira per US Dollar.

This figure represents a slight appreciation for the Naira compared to figures recorded in the preceding hours, hovering around the 1,457 naira to 1,458-naira mark. Market activity at the official window is key for importers, exporters, and those with regulatory demand for foreign exchange.

 SPORTS

Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has been shortlisted for the 2025 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, an annual global award voted for by professional footballers.

Alozie features among eight defenders nominated for the elite lineup, joining Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson (England), Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona (Spain) and Ellie Carpenter (Australia).

The 28-year-old impressed during Nigeria’s run to their 10th African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title, earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament for her outstanding performances. More than 25,000 professional players vote each year to select the World 11, which recognises the standout performers across a calendar year. 

The final team consists of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, with the 11th spot going to the outfield player with the next highest vote count. The FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be revealed on Monday, November 3, at 13:00 (UK time)

To Submit An Eyewitness Report, You Can Reach Our News Desk At Omalicha Radio 91.1 Fm Via Call Or Text On 0806 802 1774, omalichanews911@gmail.com. You Can Also Listen To Us Anywhere In The World Via Livestreaming On Www.Omalichamedia.Com And Click The Listen Button.

Lawmakers urges constituents to take advantage of voter registration exercise

The former lawmaker that represented Ahiazu Mbaise State constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly, Ichie Ken Agbim has called on the people of his area to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voters’ registration to ensure they prepare themselves for the next election year.

Agbim who spoke to journalists in Owerri said, the only civil weapon citizens have to change and bring on board the kind of leadership they desire is the ballot papers.

The former minority leader at Imo House of Assembly, pointed out that he is impressed that his constituents have become political savvy and will no longer allow themselves be swayed by the filthy lucre of politics.

Agbim called on the people of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte federal constituency to key into the ongoing continuous voters’ registration and enhance their voting strength. 

Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Exoneratess Sowere

The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has exonerated human rights activist Omoyele Sowore from any involvement in the arrest and detention of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

The family also denied claims that any medical panel from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, visited Kanu for a medical test as directed by Justice James Omotosho.

This was contained in a statement by Kanunta Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the family, condemning the arrests and demanding the immediate release of Prince Emmanuel, Ejimakor and other protesters who were detained during what he described as a peaceful demonstration. Kanunta expressed shock that some individuals were accusing Sowore of complicity in the arrests, describing such allegations as mischievously incorrect.

He accused certain political elites from the South-East of sponsoring false narratives against Sowore out of shame that a non-Igbo had the courage to do what they could not.

Former Abia Speaker commends D-Speaker, House of Representatives

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, has commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for his outstanding contributions to Abia State and the Southeast region.

In a press statement, Ohajuruka described Kalu as a “shining light” in both the global and regional parliaments, lauding his legislative prowess and unwavering commitment to development.

He highlighted Kalu’s notable achievements, including facilitating the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), the University of Medical Sciences, Abia State, the Federal College of Education, and the Police Detective College, as well as attracting several infrastructure development projects to Abia State. Ohajuruka also praised Kalu’s legislative sagacity, citing landmark bills such as the Reserved Seat Bill for Women and the State Police Bill, which have received widespread national and international recognition.

The former speaker, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the SEDC, urged the public to appreciate Kalu for his service, frankness, and honesty. He stressed that Kalu’s recent comments on the financial earnings of Abia State were not meant to criticize the government but to encourage greater accountability and development.

ASUU suspends warning strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike, giving the Federal Government a one-month window to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and address other unresolved issues affecting the nation’s university system.

President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he explained that the suspension followed fruitful engagements with the Federal Government and key interventions from the National Assembly.

Piwuna recalled that ASUU had declared the warning strike on October 13, 2025, after what he described as the government’s failure to respond to several appeals to address the lingering renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and other welfare-related concerns of university lecturers.

The ASUU president revealed that following the commencement of the strike, the Federal Government re-engaged the union through a team led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, which met with ASUU representatives on October 16 and 18, to discuss the government’s response to the draft renegotiated agreement. According to him, although the meetings did not fully resolve all issues, the union recognised that significant progress had been made compared to the pre-strike period.

To Submit An Eyewitness Report, You Can Reach Our News Desk At Omalicha Radio 91.1 Fm Via Call Or Text On 0806 802 1774, omalichanews911@gmail.com. You Can Also Listen To Us Anywhere In The World Via Livestreaming On Www.Omalichamedia.Com And Click The Listen Button.

October 24, 2025

182 New Police Constables Assume Duties In Imo

182 newly trained and deployed police constables have assumed duties at the Imo State Command, Owerri. They passed out recently from the Police Training School, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Council of the state, after successfully completing their basic training.

Receiving the officers yesterday at the command’s premises, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, represented by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, charged them to uphold ethical conduct, discipline, and community-oriented policing.

He congratulated them for their perseverance during the drilling period, urging them to be law-abiding and exhibit professionalism as they discharge their duties henceforth, including accepting postings to any station the command deploys them to.

The IGP directed them to embrace grassroots Community-Oriented Policing, which emphasises grassroots security and stronger collaboration between the Police and members of the public.

Embrace Bold Regional Development Strategy, Sam Amadi tells Southeast Leaders

In preparation for its second investment summit, the Southeast Business and Investment Summit (SEBIS) on Friday, October 17, 2025, held its inaugural roadshow and town hall meeting in Abuja to garner support for the upcoming event in Enugu, the Coal City. The summit is scheduled to hold from November 26–28, 2025.

In a thought-provoking intervention at the event Dr. Sam Amadi, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and current Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, called on the South-East region to embrace a bold regional strategy to fully unlock its vast economic potentials. He argued that the region already possesses the fundamental human resources needed for a resurgence.

 Dr. Amadi stressed that the five states in the South-East should aim to create a single economic market, as according to him, the region is a natural economic market because there are virtually no internal barriers when travelling between these states. He called on the state governors to converge their regulatory regimes, even without diluting their individual state sovereignty. This convergence, he argued, would make all their regulations uniform.

Referencing the regime of the late Premier of the Eastern region Dr Michael Okpara, Amadi said Eastern Nigeria provided a model of development for Africa.

The roadshow attracted many dignitaries of the southeast extraction, including former governor of Anambra State Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, two former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Anyim Pius Anyim, leaders of Ohaneze in the FCT, leaders of professional and trading Associations, journalists and among others.

 New INEC Chairman Promises Credible Elections

The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan has promised to deliver credible, free and fair elections going forward. The Chairman addressed the staff of the Commission for the very first time immediately after being sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

The Chairman said one of the tasks before him was to restore electoral confidence in the electorate, so they realise that their votes count.

He said his first point of call would be the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, calling on staff of the Commission to ensure that credibility is delivered. Amupitan also said that the staff welfare will be one of his major priorities.

The new Chair, noted that the journey ahead is a challenging one, adding that his coming as the Chairman of INEC is divine.

 Computer-Based WASSCE - WAEC conducts trial test

The West African Examinations Council has conducted a trial test on essay writing ahead of the Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates in 2026.

The exercise, led by the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, took place on Thursday at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre, Ogba, Lagos.

Senior secondary school students participated in the trial, designed to familiarise them with the upcoming computer-based format combining both objective and essay components.

Dangut explained that the initiative aims to prepare candidates for full digital examination participation while gradually bridging technological gaps among schools across the country.

 FG recruits 20,000 doctors, others

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has said that the Federal Government has recruited more than 20,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists into federal health institutions across the country in the last two years.

Pate said the mass recruitment, approved by President Bola Tinubu, was part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation’s health system and improve access to quality healthcare services.

He stated this during a dialogue with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, where he highlighted the administration’s achievements in the health sector.

Pate explained that the new recruits were deployed across teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and other tertiary facilities to fill critical manpower gaps and improve patient care

 FOREIGN SCENE

US President, Donald Trump, has pardoned the convicted Binance co-founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the White House said on Thursday, accusing Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, of launching an unnecessary war against the industry.

Binance was created in 2017 and swiftly became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, turning Zhao into a billionaire.

Following an investigation into the firm’s operations, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money-laundering laws in late 2023 and served a four-month prison sentence for it in 2024.

Zhao’s pardon wipes his criminal record, and could help pave the way for Binance to return to the United States, around two years after it agreed to suspend its US operations in a deal to resolve the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation.

BUSINESS

Town union leaders in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra Town Unions Council (ASTUC) has reacted to allegations that its leadership was imposing levies on them to fund the re-election campaign of the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

A letter circulating on the internet, which was titled; Support for Mr. Governor (Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR), and signed by Comrade Ken Okoli, President General youth wing of ASTUC and his secretary, Comrade Orstager P. Chinweuba had mandated all youth leaders to pay 30,000 naira, same as women leaders, while President General communities will pay 75,000 naira.

The letter stated that there will be consequences for non-payment and that the money was a compulsory payment meant to donate to the campaign of the governor. But the media coordinator of ASTUC and President General of Uke Community, Chief Peter Onyejegbu insisted that the letter was a fabrication geared at discrediting the union for their support for Soludo.

He however did not dispute that the members of the organisation were making donations towards Soludo’s campaigns, but insisted that no one was being coerced to pay, nor was there any intention to punish those who failed to pay.

SPORTS

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed Ivorian referee Kouassi Frederic Francois Biro to officiate the Champions League second preliminary round, second leg match between Rivers United FC and Black Bulls of Mozambique.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.

Biro will be assisted by fellow Ivorian officials Prosper Adiouman and Eba Médard Wenceslas Ettien as assistant referees, while Patrick Tanguy Jean Philippe Vlei will serve as the fourth official.

To Submit An Eyewitness Report, You Can Reach Our News Desk At Omalicha Radio 91.1 Fm Via Call Or Text On 0806 802 1774, omalichanews911@gmail.com. You Can Also Listen To Us Anywhere In The World Via Livestreaming On Www.Omalichamedia.Com And Click The Listen Button.

 IMSG Begins Bus Terminal Construction

 The Imo State Government has begun constructing a brand-new bus terminal on Onitsha Road, opposite Holy Ghost in Owerri to facilitate easy travel across the state. This terminal is one of three modern facilities planned for Owerri to significantly improve travel within the state and to other destinations.

Governor Hope Uzodimma initiated these modern facilities, which are currently being constructed by the company Planet Projects Ltd. Prince Eze Ugochukwu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, confirmed this development in a statement released on Sunday.

He further revealed that the constructing company, Planet Projects Ltd., has a record of building large terminals in Lagos, such as the Oshodi Interchange, incorporating advanced amenities like simplified ticketing and comfortable waiting areas.

 Southeast PDP Lawmakers Threat Convention Boycott

A fresh crisis is brewing in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as federal lawmakers from the Southeast have threatened to boycott the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan over alleged moves to rezone the position of National Woman Leader from the Southeast to the South South.

The lawmakers, led by the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the plan to alter the existing zoning arrangement, saying it is an attempt to humiliate and alienate the Southeast within the party.

They warned that the PDP risks further internal disunity and mass defections if the purported plan is not reversed before the screening exercise scheduled for next week.

Ugochinyere, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers in Abuja, said the position was originally zoned to the Southeast, with Imo State expected to produce the next National Woman Leader. He explained that the current Southeast Zonal Woman Leader, Ifeyinwa Arodiogbu, was unanimously backed by PDP stakeholders in the region to clinch the position before Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, now in the All-Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly influenced the zoning to his state.

He said Mbah’s defection to the ruling party has rendered the earlier arrangement invalid, giving Imo State a legitimate claim to the position. Ugochinyere disclosed that the lawmakers would issue a disclaimer against the convention in two weeks and would not participate if Imo State and the Southeast are humiliated.

 Resident Doctors to Begin Indefinite Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.

The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday.

This was contained in a statement released by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday.

The statement noted that the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.

 National Assembly Committee Approves One New State for Southeast

The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

Nigeria to Host IPI Africa Bloc Conference

Nigeria will host the inaugural meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute, following the country’s acceptance to lead the new regional grouping.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed the development during a meeting at the weekend in Vienna, Austria, with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Marton Gergely; the IPI Executive Director, Scott Griffen; and Nigeria’s representative on the IPI Executive Board, Raheem Adedoyin. This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Sunday.

The IPI Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of national committees to better address region-specific interests within the global IPI community. Idris, who spoke at the meeting, said Nigeria was honoured to host the maiden edition of the African bloc’s meeting.

 FOREIGN NEWS

Despite the counter statements from the presidency on the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, a member of the US Congress, Rep Riley M. Moore has insisted that about 7,000 Christians have been killed across the country this year.

In a recent interview with Fox News, the lawmaker described the alleged genocide as a tragedy saying it has been going on for decades without anyone talking about it.

Reall that Rep Moore and Senator Ted Cruz recently called for the designation of Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns, CPC over the alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria. But presidential media aide, Daniel Bwala, had on different occasions dismissed the claim, insisting that the security crisis in the country does not target a particular religion.

However, in his recent interview with Fox News, Rep Moore insisted that about 35 Nigerian Christians are murdered per day.

SPORTS

Real Madrid have won the first El Clásico of the season, beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Los Blancos came into the game with revenge on their minds, having lost all their fixtures against their arch-rivals last season.

Kylian Mbappé gave Madrid the lead with a fierce drive from a distance.

But Fermín López continued his red-hot form in front of goal to make it 1-1.

The winning goal came just before the break, as Jude Bellingham ghosted in at the back post to tap into an empty net.

 To Submit An Eyewitness Report, You Can Reach Our News Desk At Omalicha Radio 91.1 Fm Via Call Or Text On 0806 802 1774. You Can Also Listen To Us Anywhere In The World Via Livestreaming On Www.Omalichamedia.Com And Click The Listen Button.

As the month of July drew to a close, a large section of Nigeria’s media managers gathered in  Abuja for a media sustainability conference on future-proofing Nigeria’s journalism.

 The conference, which held over two days was jointly put together by the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), MacArthur Foundation, and the Dr Theophilus Abba-led Daily Trust Foundation.

 Alongside the media managers in attendance were hundreds of journalists, media teachers and media NGOs from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa that gathered under one roof, for vibrant and lively discussions of issues such as media sustainability and national accountability, support for independent media and lesson’s learnt, sustainable and thriving: the agile media organisation, habits of sustainable media organisations, maximising revenue in media operations, realities of doing journalism and running sustainable media business in Nigeria and tools and strategies for future-proofing media businesses, which were delivered as solo presentations and moderated discussions.

 Under these themes, participants discussed how to build strong, profitable media businesses, as according to Harlan Mandel, managing director of the MDIF, good ideas and solid strategy will not save a newsroom without strong leadership, which could make or break  the organisation’s journey of sustainability.

 Dr. Kole Shettima, director of Nigeria’s office of the MacArthur Foundation, in his keynote address sought to proffer some thoughts on the question of the role of media in strengthening accountability.

 Other key note speeches were given by Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premium Times and CEO of Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Bilal Randeree, Chief Program Officer of MDIF, Prof. Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Kabiru Yusuf, and Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, Media Trust Group. Catherine Gicheru, NAMIP Advisory Chair led other members of the Board comprising Ruona Meyer, Motunrayo Alaka and Prof Suleiman Yar’adua in a discussion on the Lessons from NAMIP Advisory Committee.

In addition to the keynotes were more than ten presentations in the forms of of panel discussions, fireside chat and workshops by  the NAMIP team.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Minister for Information and National Orientation Muhammad Idris, representatives of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE and International Press Institute, IPI.

The Conference preceded the close-out event of the MDIF programme in Nigeria - the Nigerian Media Innovation Programme, NAMIP, which ran for 3 years.  

Twenty-seven independent media organisations across the country formed the nucleus of the programme, which main objective was “working to increase capacity, generate sustainable and diverse revenue streams, and build audiences of independent media in Nigeria, particularly those reaching underserved communities”.

 For the cohort members, NAMIP provided real opportunities for mentoring, through workshops and training on sales, marketing and leadership institutions.

daily-trust-omalicha-radio

Daily Trust Nigeria and Omalicha Radio Station are two vibrant media entities dedicated to providing trustworthy and insightful content tailored to a diverse audience across Nigeria’s cultural spectrum. In light of shifting patterns in digital media consumption and a growing demand for localized content, these organizations have actively implemented strategies to broaden their reach and boost engagement with their targeted audiences. 

Daily Trust has made a focused effort to promote inclusivity, especially targeting the Hausa-speaking communities in Northern Nigeria through its YouTube Channel, Aminiya. Daily Trust seeks to offer news and information that connects with the values and interests of these communities, ensuring they remain informed and actively participate in national discussions. 

On the other hand, Omalicha Radio Station, founded in 2023, operates in both English and Igbo. This distinctive strategy enables Omalicha Radio to confront existing stereotypes and misunderstandings while providing its audience with in-depth examinations of current events and policies that influence their lives. The station aims to share valuable information that fosters social and economic advancement, contributing to a more educated citizenry. 

Both media organizations understand the significance of employing local languages to improve accessibility for their audiences. By doing this, they not only expand their listener base but also create additional revenue opportunities in a competitive media environment. This dedication to local language programming empowers communities, promoting participation and dialogue on crucial matters affecting their everyday lives. 

Pain Points & Window of Opportunities  

Despite the established presence of both Daily Trust and Omalicha Radio within Nigeria’s diverse media landscape, they encountered several critical challenges that impeded their growth and engagement efforts: 

Limited Local Language Content: While Daily Trust faced a significant barrier in their ability to connect with Northern and Hausa-speaking communities, Omalicha Radio faced similar challenges in the South-Eastern belt communities. The scarcity of content produced in local languages severely restricted their ability to engage these audiences, which are integral to Nigeria’s cultural fabric. As a result, many potential listeners and readers may feel alienated, unable to fully relate to or consume content that is not presented in their native tongue. 

Challenges in Monetizing Digital Content: The struggle to effectively monetize their digital offerings was exacerbated by a limited audience reach. With more consumers turning to online media, a lack of robust engagement metrics translated into difficulties attracting advertisers and sponsors. This financial challenge was compounded by the fact that digital advertisements often require a sizable and engaged audience to be viable. 

Increasing Demand for Modern Content Formats: There was an observable shift in consumer preferences towards video content, interactive storytelling, and community-driven programming. Meeting this demand necessitated enhanced production capabilities and a strategic focus on distribution channels. Both organizations needed to adapt quickly to these trends to remain relevant and appealing to their audiences, which required significant investment in technology and talent. 

Regional Programming Opportunities: There is significant untapped potential for regional programming at Daily Trust and Omalicha Radio that could enhance audience engagement and drive advertising revenue. By creating content that resonates with local cultures and interests, they could attract local businesses. However, without a strong localization strategy, they risk missing out on a key audience segment and associated revenue streams, making adaptation essential for their long-term success in the changing media landscape. 

What Strategies Were Implemented 

Faced with the dual challenges of audience fragmentation and financial sustainability, Daily Trust and Omalicha Radio leaned into innovation, crafting hyper-local content and diversifying revenue streams to transform their media operations. 

For Daily Trust, the key lies in amplifying the Aminiya brand with a bold strategy of content localization. By offering rich, high-quality video content in both English and Hausa, they connected deeply with Northern Nigerian audiences. YouTube became the launchpad, supported by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to widen reach. With over 35 videos produced on themes like Health & Wellness, Travel, and News Explainers, the newsroom didn’t just produce content, they grew capacity by onboarding new video producers to meet demand. These efforts paid off. Aminiya’s YouTube channel surged to 76,000 subscribers in a single year, amassing 9 million impressions and over 50,000 views per video, transforming the platform into a revenue engine through ad monetization and sponsorship deals. Structured monetization plans rolled out between February and July 2024 further positioned the channel for sustained growth. 

Meanwhile, Omalicha Radio carved out a vibrant niche in southeastern Nigeria by weaving Igbo-language storytelling into compelling, community-centred programming. Shows like Oru Aka (highlighting vocational skills), Usekwu Omalicha (a food and health series), and Abo Ngozi (a live, interactive religious program) didn’t just entertain, they informed, empowered, and attracted advertisers. These efforts resulted in a 100% increase in revenue, with Oru Aka alone pulling in over NGN 2 million in sponsorships in 2024. Programs like Abo Ngozi averaged 50+ calls per session, and Omalicha’s broadcast footprint expanded rapidly, garnering live listener engagement from across seven states and achieving 1.3 million monthly listeners. 

By centering local languages and issues, both media houses unlocked a potent combination of high audience loyalty and real financial returns. The result is a compelling case for local content not just as a cultural asset, but as a scalable business strategy. 

Key Lessons on Language Localisation 

The success of Daily Trust and Omalicha Radio’s language strategies offers valuable insights:

1. The Power of Content Localization: Integrating Hausa and Igbo-language content significantly boosted engagement, proving that local language inclusion is crucial for audience expansion and engagement. 
2. Understanding Audience Preferences: Viewers and listeners responded positively to cultural narratives, travel content, religious engagement, and personal storytelling, guiding future content strategies. 
3. Strategic Investment is Key to Growth: Hiring a dedicated production team and optimizing content distribution platforms played a vital role in sustaining engagement. 
4. Revenue Diversification Enhances Stability: By combining ad revenue, sponsorships, and direct monetization strategies, the organizations secured multiple income streams. 

What the Future Holds 

As programming evolves with audience feedback and trends, the insights gained will inform broader digital initiatives and regional expansion. This focus on local languages not only enriches content for Nigerian audiences but also aims for sustainable media operations. It stands as a model for organizations seeking to thrive in the digital age.

 - Lifted from/linked to the website of the Media Development Investment Fund

 So said John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media group at the opening of the 2025 biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, of which he was the Chairman.

 Through his address, the Channels boss encapsulated the essence of Enugu,  as a regional capital, a State and a State capital. Enugu, indeed, carries with it, the nostalgia of what was possible, what used to be, what was lost and seemed unrecoverable, but gradually rising, just like the phoenix.

 Enugu State, according to its Governor Dr Peter Mba, is a state re-imagining itself. At the heart of what is shaping up be the resurgence of Enugu, the State, is that strength to heal back to its recognised status as centre of learning with the Smart Green School project, and as a  place where one can reside, learn and do business in peace, thanks to the vision of one man and his team, who are working round the clock to turn the fortunes of the State around for the better.

 So, what is the smart green school all about?

According to the governor, our smart schools mark a transformative link in education.

 The Smart Green School project was initiated to address the lacuna in the Enugu State education programme. According to Dr. Chinyere Onyeishi, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Education Innovation, and Director, Experiential Learning, ‘over the years, there had been lots of challenges facing education in the state. This includes the high rate of out-of-school children, inadequate infrastructure, lack of teachers, soft skills, curriculum update, capacity building and technology innovation. Then of course, there is hunger that keeps some children out of school.

 But here’s the thing: irrespective of the words  used to describe the Enugu Smart Green School project, Omalicha FM’s visit on June 28 to the Owo Campus in the Nkanu Local Government Area of the State, as part of the project tour by the Guild of Editors team that was in Enugu for its annual convention, left one with the overarching feeling, that the smart schools initiative has been designed to change the face of education in Enugu state. Reason is that it embraces an integrated format that is both technical and technology driven.

 Embedded in the smart schools project is the construction of modern buildings, driven by technology and equipped with digital skills for today’s ‘digital natives’, described by Dr Onyeishi, an expert in computer and robotics education, as children born from the year 2000, while of course, not leaving out the ‘digital immigrants’, people like us, who have to learn how to co-habit the digital space with the natives.

 In these schools, technology, learning and living are integrated, such that a child of age 3 years in rural Enugu state, is being deliberately introduced to an educational system that equips her with tools for life in the digital space via access to smart boards, internet and uninterrupted solar energy to power the learning.

 As part of creating a system that is self-sufficient, in preparation for life in the digital space, the smart green schools project also produces food that the children consume, with some extra sold and proceeds ploughed back into the system to ensure its sustainability. The green farm complex is an integral part of the Smart Green Schools project. At the Owo campus, for instance, the pupils rear chicken, plant food crops and vegetables such as plantain, tomato, cucumber and poultry. 

 Leading the team to the Owo Campus of Smart School project was the State’s Commissioner for Works, Engineer Gerald Otiji, who allayed the concerns expressed by  Omalicha FM as to the accessibility of this initiative to all children in the state, especially in the rural communities. He assured that that would not constitute any obstacle as the Smart Green School project is to be replicated in the 260 political wards in the state, and access is free to the children of Enugu state.

 Now let’s look at security and the Central Command & Control Centre

It is one thing to embark on expansive infrastructural development. It is yet another to ensure the security of such projects and those that use them.

Security, it is said, is everybody’s business, but that is also one subject that details are hardly thrown out in the public domain.

 Not withstanding, in Enugu, the signs of a secure city, represented by marked surveillance cars fitted with communication gadgets, dote strategic locations in the metropolis and entry points, thanks to the State’s Central Command and Control System, with its enabled-Artificial Intelligence cameras that watch over the state, while the residents either sleep or go about their businesses.  This is because according to the Governor,

 “Security if foundational. That’s why we’ve built a command and control centre powered by cutting edge innovation enabling 24/7 surveillance across our communities. It’s goal is simple: prevent crime where possible, and respond swiftly where necessary.  Since we came into office, we have reduced crime by 80%”

 Governance indeed, is not rocket science. It’s more about having a vision and exploring resources, taking actions and providing instruments towards achieving that vision.

 As Governor Mba said while inaugurating the States Security Trust Fund in February 2025, the “outlaws that once held our people hostage have either been neutralized or fled. We have substantially reduced crime rate. Statistics attesting to that abound. We can further glimpse this in the fact that night life has returned in full swing. Streets that were desolate and deserted have regained their groove.”

This is a narrative Nigerians across the country are waiting to hear from the chief Security Officers of wherever they are residing. If Enugu State can do it and eliminate the retrogressive non-state actor-induced and enforced Monday sit-at-home order that once kept people indoors on Mondays, then it can be done elsewhere in the southeast where people are still forced to stay home due to the fear of the unknown. 

 An interesting feature of Enugu, as a resurgent city (and State), lies in the ability of the State’s Chief executive and his team of passionate men and women to revive old projects that once made Enugu a city of dream:

 With the level of construction going on in the State, the revival of the Asphalt Plant in the state becomes most relevant, just like the NigerGas Company in Emene .

 At NigerGas, one of the managers described the resurgence of the plant this way:

 “It’s only a government that has the people at heart that does this kind of thing. It’s a turnkey project and a very big at that, because with this is the beginning of industrialisation and without industries, you know the consequences. So, all we are saying is that it’s done already...we don’t have much time for it again. The capacity is 100 cubic metres, and that means we can get 72 cylinders”

 That is not saying that there are no new projects, there are and these can be seen in the frenzied construction geared towards bringing to life, the New Enugu Smart City, and the Enugu Air, the state-owned Airline which has since the visit and now, roared off to the skies on its way to different parts of country via the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, an important gateway for the projected traffic of 3 billion visitors expected to join in building a future economy which the State CEO put at  $30bn.

 At an interactive session with the Governor, Omalicha 91.1FM sought to know from Gov Mba how his vision for the state, anticipated youth rural-urban migration and infrastructural needs in the communities. To this, the government said that rather than rural-urban migration, Enugu is experiencing the reverse and more people are moving back to the rural communities. “Part of what we are experiencing in Enugu,” the governor said, “is actually the other way round, where we have a lot of people from the urban migrating to the rural areas, and that is largely because the style of leadership we have here is all-inclusive. We are not leaving any part of the state out. So, our programmes, for example in education is where the 260 electoral wards have a project of over a billion Naira going on at the same time...”

Bold vision. Bold steps by the Administration, but will it indeed turn this storied city and state around? 

In the words of John Momoh,  “for many young people across this region, the shadows of the Biafra war still linger. Not just in stories passed down, but in real feelings - feelings of exclusion and pain.” 

As regional capital and state, Enugu has seen it all, but there comes the period to rebuild, renew, be resilient and hopeful just like the phoenix. Look no further for as the slogan all over the state proclaims  -“tomorrow is here”.

Reported by Angela Agoawike

 The outcome of the research was released at a time Nigerian lawmakers were considering a bill to make voting compulsory for every voting-age adult in the country. Though the bill, jointly sponsored by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Daniel Asama Ago, had passed through the second reading, it was, however  withdrawn due to the public backlash it generated as it was said to have the capability of taking away individual freedom to vote, even as the promoters had argued that  it would make the citizens to become more invested in voting.

 That is where and why the research becomes very important as according to some of those who spoke at the public presentation which took place in Abuja, there are many reasons Nigerians are disengaging from voting in the country. 

 Top on the list is the perception by many that votes seemingly do not count in the electoral process. In adopting this view, they point to past elections where results that were contrary to what was witnessed at the polling units were declared, and so doing, invalidated the efforts - time, finance- they invested in the process.

 While voter apathy addresses relationship between the generality of Nigerians who have reached the legal age of voting/and registered to vote, and the actual number that vote during elections, voter apathy is more prevalent among women, as it was revealed that men are more inclined to vote and are indeed, active recruiters of women during the elections.

 The team of researchers was led by Prof Freedom Onuoha of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and it included Drs Chukwuma Okoli, Saheed Babajide, Anthony Okoye, and Olanrewaju Oladejo.

 A two-woman team was also set up to specifically look into the issue of Gender and Voter. Made up of Adaora Osondu-Oti, a professor of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Institute of Gender Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, who researched gender voter apathy in southern Nigeria, and Dr Fatima Adamu, a sociologist with expertise in gender, poverty and equity issues in Northern Nigeria, who looked at gender voter apathy in southern Nigeria, the team synthesized the data collected in the field research by the Professor Onuoha-led all-men team, and as well, collected new data to enable them come up with data-supported evidence of why women, especially, are disengaging from voting during elections.

 Lack of interest in the process is a reason that explains why women are apathetic to voting, and this is irrespective of whether they are in the north or south of the country, and this begins at the point of the registration process. While there is less apathy in the south, specifically the south east and south west, the apathy is more defined among the elites, housewives and farmers.

 These are compounded by the challenges of election violence, intimidation, societal pressure and biases the women have to contend with. In the area of gender bias, this comes in forms of religious, political parties and traditional. Notwithstanding, the researchers identified religious leaders as playing more important role in mobilising women for election. While the use of religious leaders to mobilise women to vote has been on the increase since 2023, the research revealed that this was spearheaded in 1979 by Sheikh Gumi.  

 Generally however, the research threw up the following as factors behind voting apathy in the country and they are location of the polling units/booths, preoccupation of women with domestic chores, lack of trust on the electoral body, low female representation in the political process, patriarchal dominance (identified in the south), technology, and lack of adequate assistive voting devices for people living with disabilities.

To address the challenge, the issue of insecurity which keeps people, especially women away from polling stations has to be addressed; gender-sensitive strategies for voting has to be promoted, and credible women have to be promoted for elective purposes to, according to some respondents, motivate them to want to go out and vote.

Present at the public presentation were the Resident Representative of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Nigeria, Lennart Oestergaard, programme manager Juliana Anosike, representatives from INEC, National Assembly, Plan International, Yiaga Africa, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), Journalism & Development Seminars Initiative, (JADES), and the Academia among others. 

- Media CEO Workshop

Last week on May 8 and 9, I was privileged to participate at the Media CEO Workshop organised by the Kingsley Uranta-led Channels Academy, in collaboration with the United States Mission in Nigeria and the JSM Foundation. It had the theme: Media Innovation and Sustainable Business Models.

The workshop could not have come at a better time, than now when media organisations across the Nigeria are confronting challenges, and working towards diversifying their operations, if they must survive present economic realities. 

It brought together media leaders from the country’s south - Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo etc. The Northern Media CEO Workshop had been held earlier in Abuja.

The issues discussed were apt for the present times. They included Leading Through Change, Growing and Retaining Audiences, Attracting and Retaining Talent, Fostering Collaboration, Funding and Investment Opportunities, Exploring New Revenue Streams and a Peep Into the Future of Media.

Listening to the CEOs of media companies discuss their challenges and how they have managed to keep going, one may not be blamed for calling media managers in Nigeria, miracle workers. 

Representing my organisation - Omalicha 91.1FM, I happily (though impromptu), joined the panel that discussed - Exploring New Revenue Streams, alongside Greg Odutayo of Royal Roots televisio and Radio, and Eze Anaba, editorof the Vanguard and President, Nigeria Guild of Editors.

The workshop was facilitated by Stacia Deshishku, former executive vice president of ABC News for Business Development and Operations. Stacia is also, a CNN Alumnus, and managed news gathering around ‘some of the biggest international and domestic stories’ for the network. 

Thank you Julie Mackay, Public Affairs Officer at the US Mission in Nigeria, and team, and Kingsley and his Channel Academy team for the wonderful opportunity. I have no doubt that great results will emerge from this two days gathering.... And oh! Deji Adekunle of the Media Development Investment Fund, was also there to talk to us about assessing grants.  

By Angela Agoawike

Restoring Water Supply: Community-led Water Prification and Distribution Projects in Azaraegbelu

- A Solution Journalism Report by AMARACHI ADIMUKO and STANLEY AKALONU

Nigeria is presently facing water stress as a result of climate change, limited water source, and old amenities. The combination of these factors has led the country to experience a 20% reduction in available water per capita per day.

Communities can take charge of providing safe and reliable water for their members, especially where government or large-scale infrastructure may fall short. This often involves local initiatives that use simple, cost-effective methods to purify and distribute water. This approach promotes sustainability, resilience, and empowerment, as it enables communities to address water needs through localized solutions.

Access to clean and safe water remains a fundamental necessity for communities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. In response to water scarcity and the need for sustainable solutions, a solar-powered borehole project was initiated to provide a reliable water supply to the people of Azaraegbelu; a village in Azara-Ubo Emekekuku, Owerri North L.G.A., Imo State.

The solar-powered borehole project was launched in 2022 as a donation by Hon. Engr. Ikenna Elezianya; through one of the illustrious sons of Azaraegbelu, Hon. Donald Anyanwu who was also the supervisor of the project. The project aims to address the long-standing water challenges faced by the community, ensuring access to potable water while promoting renewable energy solutions.

The President General of Azaraegbelu community, Mr. Chukwuemeka Solomon Oluharaotu, in an interview during the course of the report, highlighted the events that led to the initiation of the project and it's impacts on the community.

(Insert voice) 

Architect Chibuzor Opara, the central Youth president of Azaraegbelu Noted the changes in the community in terms of water supply and consumption, narrating a personal experience. He also mentioned that the water is neat and safe for consumption.

INSERT YOUTH PRESIDENT

A community member of Azaraegbelu, Mr. Anselem Nnamdi Uregbuo, commended the initiator of the project and concurred that the borehole is neat and safe for drinking, he also noted that this kind of project was equally carried out in other neighboring communities in Azara-Ubo Emekekuku.

(Insert voice) 

Another member of the community, Mrs. Ngozi Obinna Isiguzo, expressed her satisfaction with the project noting it’s impact on the community.

(Insert voice) 

The President General of Azaraegbelu community Mr. Chukwuemeka Solomon Oluharaotu, noted that they’ve not experienced any challenges with the project so far, he also mentioned that the project is self maintained, as it pumps by itself and also that it can’t be vandalized because his people are disciplined.

(Insert voice) 

Although, this particular project is not a community led project but the people also carried out a similar project in response to a problem that would have arose due to the Federal road dualization; as it has made it difficult and dangerous for community dwellers whose houses are on the other side of the road to cross over and fetch water. The President General narrating his personal experience noted that the community, through his administration decided to revitalize a borehole donated to them over two decades ago by one of their daughters and even converted it to a solar powered borehole.

(Insert voice) 

The Azaraegbelu community’s approach demonstrates valuable insight into sustainable problem-solving at the grassroots level. By choosing solar energy to power the borehole, they found a way to avoid ongoing costs and operational challenges associated with fuel and electric pumps. The collective contribution model also reveals the power of community solidarity and the resourcefulness of community-led projects in meeting essential needs when public services fall short.

While the solar powered borehole provides a reliable solution, there are limitations to consider. The project relies on consistent sunlight to power the solar pump, which may present challenges during the rainy season or prolonged cloudy days but in response to this challenge, the leadership of Azaraegbelu community did not entirely convert the old borehole to solar powered borehole, they did it in such a way that the water can also be pumped using electricity or generator during the rainy season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) In January 2025, the African Region reported 17,644 new cholera cases across 11 countries, marking a 13% decrease from December 2024. The majority of cases were reported from South Sudan (10 833), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3853), Angola (1081), Nigeria (786), and Ghana (675).

 Therefore, the immediate impact of this initiative is evident as all community members now have access to clean, safe drinking water, reducing health hazards associated with the previous contaminated river water. Health improvements, such as fewer waterborne illnesses, along with greater satisfaction among residents who no longer need to fetch or buy clean water, serve as measurable indicators of success for the community’s efforts.

This report is brought to you by Omalicha Radio 91.1FM owerri, Supported by Nigeria HEALTHWATCH.

By RITA CHIKWE

One of the problems Nigeria is currently facing is soil erosion - both sheet and gully erosion due to natural and human causes. Erosion has a devastating effect on many people's lives and destroys essential infrastructure for economic development and poverty alleviation. According to " The Nigeria erosion water shed management project ( NEWMAP), Gully erosion contributes to environmental problems and damage, estimated at over 100 million dollars annually mostly in south Eastern Nigeria. However, the situation goes beyond what the communities, local government, states and federal government can address as it needs the intervention of development partners. Severe environmental degradation appears to be threatening the long-term development prospects of countries all over the world, particularly  developing countries such as Nigeria.

 According to Hishman (1993) the issue of protection of the environment became a topical debate in rio de Janeiro, brazil in June 1992. The World Bank estimates that more than a million people in sub- Saharan Africa still live in acute poverty and suffer gross inadequate access to resources required to give them opportunity for economic development. Development if it is to be sustainable should be environmentally safe, socially and economically equitable. Here in Imo State, a community Amachara Avuvu in Ikeduru LGA has lamented over the dilapidated site of their road which has been ravaged by flood and erosion. Amachara people are farmers and are  popularly known for their palm wine production. According to history, they migrated from Inyishi to Azaregbelu in search of greener pastures due to bad road caused by flood and erosion, their  farming activities was grossly affected as there is no motorable road that leads outside the community to owerri town where the Farmers can sell their farm products.  Sources from the community disclosed that during the tenure of his excellency Sam Mbakwe, Amachara has a connecting road linking from Azaregbelu to Avuvu, Amakohia, Amuzu Ahiazu mbaise down to Owerri -Umuahia road.

(Insert voice)

The erosion in Amachara Avuvu is located at an area called Azunwuolu. The Azunwuolu has become a valley. It is the major road that connects the village to other villages in avuvu. Azunwuolu was named after a woman who lives behind the erosion site. The erosion site was named after her as a reference point to the location where the erosion happened. It is located at Amaato Avuvu and it is the way out from the village. 

Insert:

Amachara is the home of Army Generals like General Simon Njoku and Frank okpara, Colonel George ogu, and a business man Ernest ihejirika and other wealthy sons and daughters. It was noted that the community has reached out to the government through these noble men, yet there is no intervention by the government in their community.

 The community has attempted several times to fix the road. The chairman of the community, Mr Emma Anyanwu disclosed that they have spent up to 670,000 naira which they generated from the community members. The community, through their meagre income generates money monthly and yearly to work on the road.

 (Insert voice)

 The youth leader of Amachara Avuvu, Mr Ndubueze Chigozie added that the youths of the community has made attempts to make the road motorable but all to no avail. They have called on the government of imo State and their prominent sons and daughters to intervene. They lamented that their community has been abandoned and neglected and they are only remembered when there is an election campaign.

 (Insert voice)

  It was gathered from the villagers that during the tenure of former governor of Imo State Rochas okorocha there was an attempt to reconstruct the road by the government, however it was abandoned and the contractors were last seen in the year 2022.

 (Insert voice)

 Meanwhile, a road construction in Avuvu which was carried out by NDDC which was expected to start from Amakohia and extend to Azaraegbelu was abandoned early last year. the community members who expressed their displeasure over the development added that they would have been happier if the construction continued, and extended to Azaregbelu as it will benefit the people of Amakohia and Amachara Avuvu.

While making enquiries on the factors that contributed to the bad state of the road at Avuvu Amachara. the youth leader disclosed that lack of good drainage system which helps in easily flow of water is one of the major factors. Another factor mentioned is urbanization. As the population of the people increases, number of houses increases as well. most of the houses were not built properly as they blocked water ways, preventing free flow of water when it rains. Farmers who farmed by the roadside also contribute to it in a large extent as the extend their planting to the road.

 (Insert voice)

The erosion has affected the business life of the people, especially people who trade in Owerri town. Due to the state of the road, businessmen and women can no longer sell off their products in town and it affects their businesses and steady income. The bad state of the road has increased the transportation fare in the community as commuters do not agree to ply the road, students and teachers are not left out as it prevents them from going to school.

(Insert voice)

The flood and erosion has affected crops planted at the Azunwuolu area and the community in their wisdom have decided to plant crops like plantain banana and raffia trees. The place has become a swampy area and there are wild animals living there making the place inhabitable and dangerous for the community members.

 (Insert voice)

 However the community members have expressed joy and happiness on seeing the members of omalicha FM in their community.

 (Insert voice)

They have called on the government,  sons and daughters of the community to come to their aid and they have also pleaded that good drainage system be built in their area which links to the village stream to reduce flooding and erosion. They added that the state government can also generate income from the community through sand excavation if the road is fixed.

Furthermore, if the government can work on rural roads that leads to villages and communities, it would offer better transportation facilities by creating linkages and increase the opportunities to access goods and services located in nearby villages or major towns and markets. It will boost agricultural activities and productivity and ensure diversification of agricultural activity, improve mobility and save time, make way for more livelihood opportunities, give access to education and socio-economic benefits.

 It goes without saying that rural roads are a key component of rural development.

Meanwhile, Omalicha 91.1fm, owerri, have contacted the Commissioner for works, Mr Ralph Nwosu to get his response on the state of roads in southeast region but due to his tight schedule he was not able to come on the show, but as soon as we are able to hear from him, we will let you know his response in our subsequent edition.

 This documentary was narrated by Rita Chikwe , produced by Stanley Akalaon. Executive Producer, Angela Agoawike, Station Manager, Peter Chima Egwuatu, Honorable Ikenna Ogoke, Station Engr Uwakwe Augustine Chinonso

Our thanks  to the  the community members, Mr Omenneji Ben Uka, Mr Emma Anyanwu, village chairman Amachara Avuvu, Elder Basil Monday Ogbede, the Youth leader, Mr Ndubueze Chigozie, Oke Nazareth Kabaka, Osuagwu Macdonald Ozioma and other members of the community.

Imo Residents Decry Rising Insecurity, Urge Government Action

Residents of Imo State have expressed concerns over rising insecurity in the region, calling on the government and security agencies to take urgent action to protect the people. Speaking to Omalicha FM, many residents lamented the increasing cases of killings, kidnappings, and other forms of violent crimes that have left them living in fear.

In recent months, news reports have been dominated by incidents of abductions and assassinations, forcing many to alter their daily routines. Owerri, once known for its vibrant nightlife, has become a shadow of its former self as people now avoid staying out late for safety reasons.

One resident, Chika Okafor, told Omalicha FM, that “life in Imo State is no longer the same. We cannot move around freely without fear of being attacked. The government must act before things get worse.”

Another resident, Amaka Nwosu, expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of decisive action from the authorities. “Every day, we hear of another person being kidnapped or killed. We need more security presence and proactive measures to tackle this crisis,” she said.

The residents are calling on the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify efforts in combating crime and restoring peace in the state. They urge authorities to deploy more security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, and implement lasting solutions to the insecurity.

Although the government has repeatedly assured citizens of its commitment to addressing the security challenges, many residents remain skeptical, insisting that urgent and visible action is needed to restore confidence and safeguard lives and property.

 Federal High Court Indefinitely Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after he refused to be tried before Justice Binta Nyako.

Justice Nyako made the decision on Monday after Kanu insisted that his case be transferred to a court in the South-East. Kanu had on September 24, 2024, requested that Justice Nyako recuses herself, citing a lack of confidence in her handling of the case.

Following his request, Justice Nyako stepped down and referred the case file to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment. However, Justice Tsoho later returned the case to Nyako, arguing that, given the prolonged history of the matter since 2015, she was best suited to continue handling it.

Kanu’s trial had been stalled since Nyako’s initial recusal, but the Federal Government issued a hearing notice summoning him to appear on February 10, 2025. Upon his appearance, Kanu strongly objected to facing trial under Nyako, insisting she no longer had jurisdiction over the case.

Nnamdi Kanu Questions Court

Justice Nyako clarified that her recusal was not accepted by the Chief Judge, leading to the case file being returned to her. With Kanu maintaining his stance, the court adjourned proceedings indefinitely.

 IGP Warns Police Officers Against Carrying Rifles in Civilian Clothing, Rights Violations

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a strict warning to officers against carrying rifles while dressed in civilian attire and engaging in human rights violations.

In a statement released on Monday by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun gave the directive during a virtual meeting with senior police managers at the Force Headquarters.

The IGP highlighted a surge in complaints about human rights abuses received through official channels, prompting the need for immediate corrective action.

He cautioned that any further violations would attract severe consequences and urged officers to uphold professionalism, avoid misconduct, and adhere to proper dressing standards.

 NLC Condemns Governors for Abandoning States Amid Economic Hardship

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized state governors who neglect their responsibilities and spending more time in Abuja while citizens endure hardship.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made the remarks during a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State. The meeting was organized to allow workers to voice their concerns and present demands, which the NLC leadership pledged to convey to the state governor.

Ajaero noted that during visits to five different zones, governors were consistently absent, having traveled to Abuja. He expressed frustration over the impact of rising living costs on workers and warned that any government move to increase telecom tariffs would worsen their struggles.

Despite challenges in engaging state leaders, Ajaero assured workers that the NLC would continue to push for their demands, emphasizing that only one out of the five governors visited was available to address workers’ concerns.

Bishop Decries Impact of Economic Downturn on Church Attendance

The Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, has expressed concern over the impact of Nigeria’s economic downturn on church attendance and offerings.

Speaking in Ibadan, over the weekend, Aladekugbe highlighted how the removal of fuel subsidies has deepened financial struggles, making it difficult for many families to attend church or contribute financially.

He noted that a cleric even called on President Bola Tinubu to address the crisis. The bishop emphasized that in the past, Nigerians protested unfavorable economic policies, and similar demonstrations continue today.

Urging religious leaders to support struggling citizens, Aladekugbe stressed the need for intensified sermons and teachings to sustain faith during these difficult times. He also warned against fear and despair, advocating for a stronger reliance on faith to seek divine intervention.

New Visa Restrictions on Nigerians by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has imposed new visa restrictions on Nigeria and 13 other countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for only 30 days. The other countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The policy affects tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members but does not apply to applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas.

Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas as the primary reason for the change, noting that some travelers used long-term visas to stay in the country illegally or participate in Hajj without proper authorization.

The Saudi government enforces a strict Hajj quota system for each country, and unauthorized pilgrims have been blamed for contributing to overcrowding during the annual pilgrimage.

World Cup Qualifiers: Fears Over Lookman

Super Eagles handlers have expressed their joy over the return to fitness of star winger Ademola Lookman.

The Atalanta forward has resumed training with his Italian club after recovering from a knee injury sustained in January.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle and his staff are hopeful that Lookman, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, will be available for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

If you have an eyewitness report, reach out to our news desk at on +234 0806 802 1774; info@omalichamedia.com

 - a solution journalism report by STANLEY AKALONU

Insecurity has been a major challenge in Nigeria and south east zone is not left out.  In Imo stae, southeast Nigeria, this has adversely affected the lives and property of the people.

It is however, not a lost cause as putting in place security measures help enhance safety, prevent escalation of incidents, protect property, and generally, contribute to the overall feeling of well-being by individuals.

 Property and assets, which. having adequate security in place helps to prvent include buildings, publich equipment, and intellectual property, amonth others. Through surveillance, access control, and alarm systems, security professionals help expose theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Protecting assets contributes to the overall well-being and prosperity of businesses and communities.

 Having uniformed security personnel, can put a sense of trust and confidence in individuals. Knowing that security is in place helps to bring in trust in public institutions, organizations, and venues. It creates an environment where people feel comfortable and confident in their surroundings, encouraging social interactions and community engagement.

Omalicha radio investigated a slew of security issues that has struck some communities in Imo state and how it is being tackled.

 However, these communities have found a way to deal with the security which is an after impact of the damages it has caused.

We will be focusing on the people of emeabiam community in imo state and how insecurity has affected them and the measures they have taken to fight it.

One of the young girls in the community narrated how insecurity affects their movements even during the day and market women inclusive.  "security has affected the area I live and the market places around in unimmaginable ways.  Imagine the shopkeepers, because of fear, they cannot open their stores or keep their stores open till 7pm. Imagine walking on the road and it's just 8pm, but you are being harassed by cult boys, you can even be raped. You could be raped, especially for young women like me.,,"

Speaking to Mr. Charles Ndukwe one of the leaders of Emeabiam community of imo state who were invaded by people suspected to be armed herdsmen said they had tried to seek help from both the security agencies and their neighboring community but none came...

They further appealled to the state government to help them because according to them, they only see those in government people during elections and after the election, you won’t see them again which is making them suffer when it comes to security issues.

However, these communities have found a way to deal with this security which is an after impact of the crisis.

 Our findings show that one of the neighboring communities by name Nekede had similar security issues over the years but they were able to come together to help tackle the issues in unity including the cost implication. They are still benefiting from that cooperation it and living in peace. The youth leader Mr Festus had this to say, "the issue of security in our place was worrisome before now. But we now looked inward...people living abroad helped us, we registered our security outfit... to secure our community, mobilised them with matchets and guns which we registered with the community....Also, we have people living with us who are not from our community. We take their data to know, and monitor those coming in during the night..."

However, the people of Emeabiam seeing what their neighboring village did, have decided to adopt similar step, as their youth leader told us how he is trying to partner with the local vigilante from other communities and their people outside the country to also support them financially to solve the security issues affecting them while waiting for the government to help them.

Also speaking to us, they said they have taken it to heart to listen to security agencies and personnel’s as It’s important they monitor their environments closely.

They said they have learnt that not observing security rules can lead to more harmful incidence to both young and old in the community.

There have been several approach by security agencies in the state to fight insecurity in the local communities which includes sensitization of the people in crime related areas.

The PPRO of Imo state command ASP Henry Okoye gave us an insight on the strategies and approach the force is using to tackle insecurity in the state and the roles of the people, which include sharing information (voice) 

Enhanced collaboration with neighboring communities and partner with them dismantle criminal networks involved in kidnapping and other illicit activities. adequate training and equipping of security operatives, is important for enhancing operational effectiveness and responsiveness of security around us.

As individuals we should be watchful and observe our environment during the day and at night. Listen to news on radio, tv or known social media platforms to get information on security tips. Don’t keep late nights, come back home early and if you are to return home late, make sure you place an emergency call ahead for your safety. We should be careful of the kind of friends we keep and bring into our communities and envionment. With all of these measures put into place, we are making our environment a better and safer place to stay and live in.

 This report is brought to you by Omalicha 91.1FM with support from Nigeria Health Watch

Communal Participation In Solar Light Installation Addressing Infrastructure Gaps In South East Nigeria.

• a solution journalism report by AMARACHI ADIMUKO

Provision of basic infrastructures like building of schools, hospitals, construction of roads, provision of pipe borne water and electricity are the primary functions of the government. However, in Nigeria, these functions don’t get the required attention from the government and the South East is not an exemption.

Due to the infrastructure gaps in the South East, access to basic amenities have become an unreachable dream for some communities, thereby prompting citizens to ‘take the bull by the horn’ by carrying out community development projects directed towards bridging these gaps with or without government support. Community development simply means a practice where community members come together to makn on what’s important to them.

One of the major drivers of development is energy, it’s importance cannot be overemphasized. As we use it in the form of electricity to light up our homes, to cook and even in the hospitals, for the refrigeration of drugs. Electricity drives away acts of criminality which thrives undercover of darkness by increasing visibility while enhancing the beauty of the environment, it also improves the nightlife of the people and business activities especially at night.

Just like other states in the South East, most communities in Imo State are grappling with negligence from the government on basic amenities like, primary health centers, schools, roads and electricity. In response to this social problem in the area of lack of electricity, on 23^rd December 2023; the people of Umuihi a community in Ihitte Uboma L.G.A., of Imo State; inaugurated a solar light installation project which they tagged “Project Light up Umuihi” as a solution to lack of electricity in their community.

Umuihi is a community in Ihitte Uboma LGA located in the Okigwe North Senatorial zone of Imo State, the community has produced some prominent sons and daughters like the late wife of former governor Sam Mbakwe, Nwaeruru and the former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the late senator Benjamin Uwajumogu.

In this report, we’re exploring the viability of the project, sustainability, it’s benefits to the community and challenges facing the project.

Speaking to the community Prime Minister who also happens to be the initiator of the project, Chief Romanus Ikechukwu Igwe, on the choice of the project and how long the community stayed without light, he stated that the community had electricity light but their street lights weren’t functioning due to the epileptic power supply in the country as they were connected to electricity.

The secretary of the project, Hon. Okonkwo Chukwunenye said that the community members are fully involved, starting from the installation and security, he also mentioned that the project is self sustaining…

The treasurer of the lighting project committee, Hon. Dr. Oluchi Igwe; spoke on reluctance as the major challenge encountered during the planning of the project.

The community dwellers expressed their joy and how the light has impacted in their day-to-day life…

The security officers in the community also spoke on how the light has made their works easier and their efforts towards securing the light from vandals.

The project manager, Rev. Fr. Onyedikachi Agoawike, said personal interest on the light location and logistics issues were the major problems he encountered during the installation of the light. He also stated that the lights were handed over to the security personnel and members of each village to ensure it’s sustainability, he also spoke on its impact on education and community nightlife.

While Vandalism and theft are the major problems of this kind of projects, I confirmed that even after over a year, the project is still functioning. Reason being that in most communities where this kind of project is being vandalized, they used the type of solar light that is installed in the ground, with bolts and poles, which the bolts and nuts can easily be loosed overnight and then vandalized. But in Umuihi, they fixed the solar lights on already existing electric poles, that means for it to be vandalized, the vandals needs a ladder and even if they succeed in getting one before they could climb up and down, they might’ve been caught already.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of the sons and daughters of Umuihi in the community, outside the community, and in the diaspora, which further elaborates the importance of communal participation in community development. Therefore, other communities can actually follow the steps of Umuihi community, organize themselves and carry out developmental projects in their communities, it can be street light, pipe borne water, renovation of health centers etc.

With light illuminating the community, crime and the fear that it generates which impaires the quality of life of the people has been reduced in a significant number of members of the community, moving around freely even at night as they can see what is in front of them and not scared by hidden figures. So, street lighting can reduce crime disorder and fear among community dwellers while improving business and nightlife of the community.

  - This report by Omalicha 91.1fm - the voice for developmment, is supported by Nigeria Health Watch

By Benny Naza and Rita Chikwe

 Introduction – The Importance of Basic Education

Education is the foundation of any progressive society. It empowers individuals, fosters economic growth, and ensures a brighter future for generations to come. Basic education, in particular, is crucial as it shapes young minds, equips them with essential literacy and numeracy skills, and provides the foundation for higher learning and societal development.

 However, when access to quality basic education is compromised, the consequences are dire. A failing education system leads to high illiteracy rates, increased poverty, unemployment, and a rise in crime. Without proper education, children grow into adults who struggle to contribute meaningfully to society.

 Historically, Imo State has been recognized as one of the most literate states in Nigeria. For decades, it stood as a beacon of educational excellence, producing some of the brightest minds in the country. However, recent statistics paint a different picture—one of decline, neglect, and a failing system that threatens the future of its young population.

 The Challenges Facing Basic Education in Imo State

 Decaying Infrastructure in Public Schools

 One of the most pressing issues facing public schools in Imo State is the poor state of infrastructure. Many schools still operate in buildings that date back to the colonial era or the years immediately after Nigeria’s independence. These structures have not been renovated in decades, leaving them in a state of disrepair.

 Leaking roofs, broken windows, cracked walls, and in some cases, entire blocks collapsing, have become common sights in public schools. Renovations, when they do happen, are often done poorly, without consideration for quality or safety. Students are forced to learn in unhygienic and unsafe environments, which affects their concentration and overall learning experience.

 Lack of Security in Schools

 Security is another major concern. Many public schools are not fenced, and those with fences have broken walls that have never been repaired. This has made schools vulnerable to criminal activities. Hoodlums and drug addicts have turned some of these institutions into their hideouts, leaving behind drug paraphernalia that students often encounter in their classrooms.

 Even more alarming is the invasion of school premises by herdsmen and their cattle, sometimes during school hours. These incidents disrupt learning, instill fear in students and teachers, and highlight the failure of authorities to provide a safe learning environment.

 Severe Shortage of Teaching Staff

 Imo State’s public schools are facing a severe shortage of teachers. In many schools, one teacher is forced to handle multiple subjects across different classes, a workload that is both exhausting and ineffective. In some primary schools, there are only three teachers managing six classes.

 This shortage is largely due to the lack of teacher recruitment in the past five years, despite the retirement of many teachers during this period. In 2023, the state government announced plans to hire new teachers, but two years later, no progress has been made.

Poor Quality of Teaching and Lack of Training

The quality of teachers in public schools is also a growing concern. Due to the absence of regular training and retraining programs, many teachers are still using outdated teaching methods. With the world advancing in digital education and modern teaching techniques, Imo State’s public schools remain stuck in the past, depriving students of a competitive edge.

Lack of Educational Facilities and Teaching Aids

Beyond the lack of teachers, there is also a severe shortage of educational resources. Many schools do not have science or computer laboratories, fine arts studios or sports facilities. While global education systems are integrating modern technology into learning, many public schools in Imo lack even the most basic teaching aids.

The situation is so dire that some schools struggle to provide basic classroom materials like blackboards, whiteboards, chairs, and lockers. In some cases, two or more pupils are forced to share a single desk, while others sit on windowsills just to participate in class. Libraries, which should serve as learning hubs, are either nonexistent or have no book

The Shift to Private Schools and the Future of Education in Imo State

 Due to the deteriorating state of public schools, many parents have lost faith in the system and have opted for private schools, despite their high costs. Unfortunately, some of these private institutions are substandard, operating solely for profit without maintaining quality educational standards.

The state government has repeatedly promised to make education a priority, with fresh commitments made for 2025. However, residents remain skeptical, as past promises have yielded little to no results.

The question remains: Will Imo State reclaim its position as the most literate state in Nigeria, or will it continue on this downward spiral? The fate of thousands of children depends on the actions taken today.

 Conclusion

 Education is not just about building classrooms; it is about securing the future of a generation. The challenges facing basic education in Imo State are solvable, but they require urgent and genuine commitment from the government, stakeholders, and the entire community.

The people of Imo State have a choice: to demand change and accountability or to watch as their once-proud education system crumbles beyond repair. The time to act is now.

 Event was the eight edition of the African Women in the Media (AWiM24), Conference, an annual gathering of women from all genres of media practise - print, online and broadcast with participants that included media entrepreneurs, media managers, academics, students, professionals, bloggers, and civil society advocates. 

The women had all come together at the seaside Pullman Teranga hotel and over the two days, engaged in “an in-depth reflection, shared learnings and perspectives on different aspects of media sustainability including the economic and financial models of the media, the relationship between the media and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the evolutions of media ecologies, particularly with regard to artificial intelligence and the media.” This was in line with the overall theme of the Conference – Media and Sustainability.

The AWiM conference is a legacy event. It leverages past conferences to create a chain that lays bare, the challenges of the media in Africa, the role and portrayal of women in the media, and genuine efforts that have continued to be made towards building successful, virile, and free media to drive Africa’s development and democratic processes. 

With the above in mind, AWiM24 sub-themes touched on all areas that, when effectively handled, have the potential to make Africa’s media sustainable.  Topics discussed were made to align with the overall goal of sustainability of the media and they include: Approaches to media sustainability; Empowering success: Case studies in implementing successful business models; Developing business model and product strategy; Charting a course for media sustainability; Metaverse product and successful journalism; Engaging media as partners and generation equality commitment.

Still on sustainability, during the first session of the main plenary, the MDIF team, which included Oluwadara Ajala, Nolwazi Tusini, Lebogang Maphada and Sebenzile Nkambule took the gathering through the different Approaches to Media Sustainablity. The second session of the main plenary, moderated by Yemisi Akinbobola, was a discussion  on Empowering Success: Case Studiess in Implementing Effective Business Models for Media Organisations. I was privileged to be one of the discussants alongside Dorcas Taiwo, Karen Thorne andShirely Nimala Govender. 

One of the most important issues of discussion at 2024 edition of the Yemisi Akinbobola and Bamidele Ogunleye-led AWiM is the matter of monetising media businesses. While there are people who believe the media should not be monetised, for it to effectively play its watchdog role, a consensus among conference attendees centred on the survival of the media to enable it to be independent and better positioned to play its watchdog role. So, while news, which is a vehicle of trust for the media cannot, and should not be monetised, media products can be monetised as sources of independent funding for the media. However, in monetising media products, utmost care ought to be taken to avoid conflict of interest situations that have the potential to influence the media in the opposite direction. `

AWiM24, like previous editions, provided a continent-wide opportunity for networking for those that participated in it. Such networking are viable vehicles for people from different walks - of life, and different shades of colour to identify areas of agreement and common interest, and as well, how to stay afloat in the challenging economic climate in which Africa has found itself.  It reinforced the insight gained at the Media Investment Development Forum (MDIF Forum) in Thailand in 2023 ‘that beyond regular advertising, there are other ways one can keep media organisations in business by exploring opportunities that exists – such as provision of quality content and building a base of audience that provide patronage: exploring niche market opportunities, capitalising on such opportunities, and building alliances.

 Before she went for the competition, not many people had paid her any attention, but with the win, Agbani, a graduate of computer science and Mathematics, did not only put Nigeria on the spotlight and in a positive way, but she also became famous in her own right. By that time, Silverbird, I believe, had been on the quest for the beauty title for 15 years.

Sitting across Guy Murray Bruce in that store owned by his family, I asked him one question: ‘You have been on this for fifteen years, not getting the title, yet you continued. What made you to keep going?’

 Mr Bruce’s answer has stayed with me decades after, and today, as Nigeria, and indeed, Africa rejoice over Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s triumph as second runner-up at the Ms Universe pageant, and Ms Universe Africa and Oceania, again, courtesy of  the incredible talent-spotting trait of the Silverbird Group, I wish to use it to pay tribute to the resolute resolve of Guy Murray Bruce, his brother/founder of Silverbird Group, @benmurraybruce and their staff, who have at different times, used their showbiz empire to showcase and bring honour to Nigeria, all the while, trusting God that it is doable.

Guy Murray Bruce’s response, which I have often used as words of encouragement to people despairing was ‘I believe that if you work hard and trust God, it’s only a matter of time, but He will never let you down.’ Incredible power of trust, spirituality, and hardwork, coming together for impact.

 Chidimma so wanted to be crowned a beauty queen. She was on the verge of becoming one in South Africa, a place she was born in and called home, but was bullied out of the contest due to allegations of identity fraud against her mother. She had to withdraw from the competition.

 Then, stepped in @GuyMurrayBruce with an invitation to Chidimma to participate in the Nigeria version of the Ms Universe contest. Eager to actualise her dream, and sure of what she’s got, Chidimma accepted, came back ‘home’ to Nigeria, represented Taraba State in the contest and emerged Ms Universe Nigeria, under which title she went to Mexico for the finals and from a sea of 126 very beautiful and some very talented young women, she was adjudged the second most beautiful woman in the world, and the most beautiful in Africa (including South Africa) and Oceania (14 countries that include Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Samoa and Papua New Guinea among others)

Chidimma was down but she kept working hard, the big trophy eluded Silverbird after Agbani’s win, but the Group kept working and apparently continued to trust God.

Indeed, if you work hard and trust God, He will NEVER let you down. That also speaks to my deep-rooted Catholic Christian conviction.
Congratulations @chichi_vanessaa Congratulations @mbgn_silverbird

Prof C. S. Okunna      Dr O. F. Ibrahim, SG, APPO      Prof I. L. Worika

Meeting the most basic needs of shelter, food, and health, among others, has been described as a precursor to self-actualization and development. 

This was the assertion of the guest speaker at a lecture held month to mark Omalicha’s 1^st year Anniversary of Omalicha 91.1fm in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The lecture had the theme: Empowering Communities, bridging the energy divide for sustainable development, the role of radio. 

Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, who represented the guest speaker Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organization, APPO, noted that the topic consisted of concepts that are at the center of a nation’s development. Outlining these concepts as empowerment, access to energy and sustainable development, the speaker added that these play key roles in meeting and even surpassing the basic needs of human beings.

Drawing generously from Maslow’s pyramid of needs, the guest speaker discussed the hierarchy of needs starting from some of the basic needs of humans such as food and shelter, which as stated by the late American psychologist, must be met before one can aspire towards self-actualization, the highest on the pyramid of needs.

He added that underdeveloped countries are those countries that are still struggling to meet the most basic needs of their people. “They can barely feed and clothe their population, good drinking water is lacking, infrastructure is almost non-existent, with the bulk of their population lacking adequate housing.”

On empowering communities, Worika, himself, a professor of Petroleum Law and director, School of Advanced Law Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, said that the provision of infrastructure and these basic needs empowers citizens, adding that an empowered citizenry creates empowered communities because we exist in communities.

Speaking on the importance of energy in all of these, the speaker noted that studies and experiences have shown that in the first industrial revolution, energy was key to meeting and surpassing the physiological (basic) needs of human beings. Nigeria ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, is so ranked because amongst others, the country suffers the effects of energy poverty, which is quite limiting in the quest for individual and community development.

Quoting the group, habitat for humanity which described energy as “lifesaving as it’s absence negatively impacts the health, education, social and economic lives of people and communities, while causing unemployment, the speaker went ahead to say that energy empowers communities and lack of it under develops and in turn, disempowers communities. Lack of energy he said, can lead to poverty.

The presentation underscored the urgent need for the equitable provision and distribution of energy in Nigeria and ensuring that communities in both urban and rural settings especially in the rural areas also have access to it. For instance, the speaker noted, that “primary healthcare system in Nigeria is severely impacted by lack of access to electricity and energy services, especially in the rural communities. The inability to keep essential medications, such as vaccines refrigerated and respond to emergency situations are areas that reduce the ability of health workers to offer quality care to people with health issues”.

And this, he continued, is where the media steps in to play a role that is equally as vital, as it is a critical platform for the dissemination of information about energy access, available renewable technologies and sustainable practices that could be adopted to set them on the path of development.”

Breaking the topic down during the discussion session, Dr. Ihuoma Ahaotu of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, focused on the impact access to (cheap) energy can have on a young entrepreneur or researcher; and the role radio can play in providing information on available forms of energy and how to access them to such young researchers and entrepreneurs.

Adding his voice to the discussion, especially the role radio can play in informing the people of availability and access, Prof Jerome Okonkwo of the Imo State University, Owerri, advocated for the promotion of the Igbo language and the importance of using it more in broadcasts to enlighten the people on the issue of access to, and availability of energy sources.

Earlier in her remarks, Chairperson of the event Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, a professor of Communication Development, described radio as having the capacity for development, which other media do not possess. She commended the choice of theme as according to her, access to energy is primary in our part of the world. In any developing country, MSME’s are the engine of growth for the economy, and you cannot grow the economy without access to energy. She congratulated Omalicha 91.1FM , its team and the community that has welcomed the station for the strides already made, encouraging them to work towards having even more to celebrate at the next Anniversary.

One of Nigeria’s medal prospects at the ongoing Olympic games in Paris, France, Favour Ofili , has blamed the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympics Committee for her exclusion in the 100m relay event.

In a message on her social media handle, Ofili expressed her disaapointment by noting that “I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what?”

Ofili who qualified to compete in the 100m and 200m events was supposed to fly the country’s flag alongside Tima Godbless and Rosemary Chukwuma in the 100m but, according to her, failure by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, and the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) to register her for the event has cost her the opportunity.

Equip students with self-reliant skills, Olebara urges Government

The federal government has been urged to come up with a new Educational curriculum that will reflect the educational needs of the present age.

The call was made by, retired school principal, Dr Mrs Nma Olebara while speaking with Omalicha Radio on the proposed rejig of the basic school curriculum by the federal ministry of education.

Olebara stressed the need to incorporate subjects that will properly equip students to become employable, and self reliant in meeting up with the present realities

She lamented the outdated nature of not just the present curriculum, but the facilities and infrastructure in many schools, while expressing disappointment in the government for not paying enough attention to education.

Tahir Mamman, the minister of education had announced that the new curriculum will be available from the next academic session which starts in September

Gunmen on rampage in Owerri

 A group of yet to be identified gunmen, on Monday July 29 and Tuesday July 30, wrecked havoc across the Imo State capital, Owerri and its environs, leaving in their trail, blood  and properties destroyed.

On Monday evening, four policemen and a Point of Sale(PoS) operator on the Owerri - Onitsha Road, fell to the bullets of the assailants in a drive by shooting, and on Tuesday, the gunmen struck at differents areas such as  Amawaya, Orji, Nkworji market, Ubakuru Mbieri Community, Eke Iho Market in Ikeduru, and Nwaorieubi in the Mbaitoli council headquarters.

Following the attacks, four more persons, two civilians and two policeman were killed, just as  a cement-loaded trailer belonging to the Dangote group and a state government-owned refuse disposal truck were destroyed.

The Imo police command has confirmed the incidents via a statement signed by the public relations officer, ASP Henry Okoye, who said the Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma has ordered a manhunt to fish out the perpetrators

Catholic bishops call for end to governance by palliatives

The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, comprising of Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara states, have blamed the ongoing nationwide protest on the failure of government to response to the yearnings of the people on time.

This was contained in a communique jointly signed by Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop John Oyejola, the chairman and secretary respectively, at the end of their  meeting held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba, Akure, the Ondo State capital. According to the communique, “the protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and nothing more.

The bishops also chided the government over what they termed governance by palliatives, intimidation or by hide and seek methods, asking them to instead provide permanent solutions to the challenges faced being by Nigerians.

+234 803 272 2065 or email info@omalichamedia.com

Gun shots induce tension and panic in Owerri on eve of  #EndBadGovernance Protests

Business and other activities were brought to and abrupt end in Owerri, the Imo State capital and it’s environs on Wednesday following sporadic gunshots that rocked some parts of the city.

The gunshots, heard in locations such as Okigwe road, Wetheral road, Ikenegbu road, Ama Hausa, IMSU back gate, MCC-Road, and Tetlow junction road, which is close to the State Police Command and the the government house, caused panic among residents, including traders, commuters as well as students of the Imo State University (IMSU), who scampered for safety.

The gunmen whose identity could not immediately be ascertained managed to evade the attention of the numerous security personel stationed all over the city and the state

Police operatives was said to have responded to the attacks by firing tear gas with the aim of scaring the hoodlums.

In a reaction, the spokesman of the Imo Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, said the hoodlums had adopted a guerilla style, whereby they come out from their enclaves, unleash surprise attacks and run into hiding.

Okoye however assured that the Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, has launched a head-on attack on the gunmen.

#EndBadGovernance Protest: Food and other prices soar

Ahead of today‘s nationwide protests against lingering food inflation and hunger, panic buying and petrol scarcity have pushed up the prices of goods and consumables, further increasing difficulty on an already exhausted citizenry across the State.

Survey in some major cities and markets, showed there was pressure on stores, markets and petrol stations, as households moved in large numbers to stock their homes ahead of the proposed protests.

The lingering petrol scarcity in the country compounded the problem, with many Nigerians resorting to black market to get petrol.

The scarcity, which worsened in the last five days, saw petrol prices skyrocket, with harder pressure on finances and consumption

Touts and black marketers making brisk business from selling petrol in kegs above the official prices to desperate buyers.

FG Declares Correctional Centres Red Zones

Ahead of today’s planned #EndBadGoernance protests, the federal government has declared all its 256 custodial centres across the country as ‘red zones’.    

Red zones are areas designated in terms of their security and safety status, with strict guidelines and permission given before accessing them.

Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NcoS), said this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Nababa said that any person or group of persons who have no businesses should steer clear of the prisons

Meanwhile the #endbadgovernance protesters have disagreed with the inspector general of police over the nature of the protest gatherings.

Whereas the police chief during a meeting with the organisers of the protest, advocated for the protests to be carried out in a confined location, the protesters insisted on street demonstrations.

DAPPMAM writes FG, on alledged Dangote Refinery Monopolistics Tendencies

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, have written to President Bola Tinubu over alleged monopolistic tendencies of Dangote Refinery.

DAPPMAN said before Dangote Refinery was established, Nigerian business entrepreneurs already had investments in the country’s downstream petroleum sector running into trillions of naira, with taxes remitted to the various state governments by their respective employees.

This was contained in a letter addressed to the President.

DAPPMAN noted several investments made by Dangote in the past and how he had allegedly monopolised certain sectors.

It urged the President to intervene and ensure the sustenance of deregulation and free market policies intended by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The group emphasized the need for market forces to be allowed free reign in the sector within appropriate rule of law.

Somali Journalist Arrested for Alledged Dronre

The arrest of a journalist for reporting on drug use in the Somali military is the latest incident in an apparent clampdown on critical reporting in the country. The development is having a “chilling” effect on Somalia’s media, rights campaigners said.

AliNur Salaad was detained last week and accused of “immorality, false reporting and insulting the armed forces”, after publishing a now-deleted video suggesting that soldiers were vulnerable to attacks by al-Shabaab militants because of widespread use of the traditional narcotic khat.

Angela Quintal, head of the African programme at the Committee to Protect Journalists, called on Somali authorities to drop the case “and allow journalists to report and comment freely on public affairs”

Senior Man, Kelechi Iheanacho joins La Liga from Premier League

Following the expiration of his contract with Leicester City, Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has joined the Spanish La Liga side Sevilla on a 2-year deal.

Iheanacho departed the King Power stadium where he scored 61 goals in 232 matches, in a 7 years stint with Leicester City.

He arrived in Spain on Tuesday and had his medical on Wednesday.

He was unveiled by the club on Wednesday evening through its social media handle.

He arrives on a free transfer after several seasons at Leicester City and signs for two seasons with the option for one more”, the club said.

He will team up with his compatriot Bright Ejuke, who also joined the team this summer.

Got news tips? Call OMALICHA RADIO 91.1FM on 0803 272 2065

Court denies Nnamdi Kanu‘s Applications

 Two requests by Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), before the Federal High Court in Abuja have been denied.

One of the requests, is to be granted bail, while the other is to be relocated from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he is now detained, to Kuje prison.

Ruling on the requests on Monday, May 20, Justice Binta Nyako held that issues raised in both applications had earlier been pronounced on by her court and rejected.

Justice Nyako held that she found as a fact that Kanu jumped the bail earlier granted to him and escaped from the country.

The judge noted that those, who stood surety for Kanu when the earlier bail was granted, later applied to be discharged because they could not locate Kanu and did not know his whereabouts. Their requests were granted.

She held that the only option open to Kanu was for him to approach the Court of Appeal on the issues.

Reacting to the ruling, the IPOB leader lashed out at the judiciary and the Nigerian government, insisting that no Nigerian court can try him. He described any attempt to try his case in a Nigerian court as amounting to a breach of the Nigerian constitution and international laws.

Imbibe the spirit of tolerance and compassion, Bishop Chikwe tells Christians

 The Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, His Grace, Bishop Moses Chikwe has advised christians to be careful with their utterances.

Delivering the homily during his pastoral visit to the St Mary’s Catholic church, Azaraubo, Emekuku, in the Owerri North LGA, Bishop Chikwe, drew contrasts between two incidents - the biblical tower of Babel, where language was a source of division and the day of Pentecost, where language was a source of hope and unity.

He admonished the faithful to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peace, patience and compassion in their interactions with others, whether their partners, neighbors or even strangers.

Omalicha FM’s correspondent reports that 149 Catholic faithfuls recieved the sacrament of confirmation during the Bishop’s pastorial visit to the Azaraubo Catholic parish.

Minimum wage negotiations: Government may shift position, urges labour to do same

The Organised Labour has warned the government that it will not accept N100,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.

Recall that both the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade-Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, pulled out of negotiation last week Wednesday, rejecting government‘s offer of N48,000 as the new minimum wage.

However, in a letter to the groups requesting for a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday,  Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum wage, Alhaji Bukar Goni, indicated that government may shift ground and asked the organised labour to also shift ground.

NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said that the organised labour would honour the invitation tomorrow.

Meanwhile, leaders of both the NLC, and TUC, have put their civil society allies on notice over their planned industrial action should government fail to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and conclude the minimum wage negiation by May 31.

In a joint communique issued today Tuesday May 21, leaders of the two labour unions, gave the federal government and National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, till the end of the month  (May) to reverse the hike.

Central Bank of Nigeria withdraws directive on cyber security levy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially withdrawn the directive earlier issued to banks to commence the deduction of cyber security levy from depositors.

This was disclosed in a circular signed by the apex bank’s director of payments system management, Chibuzor Efobi and Director of financial policy and regulation, Haruna .B. Mustafa, issued to different categories of banks on Sunday.

According to the statement, “the circular on deduction and collection of the cyber security levy is hereby withdrawn.”

Recall that the decision to enforce the levy by the central bank was met by strong criticisms by many who cited the current economic challenges in the country as being unconducive for such levy, which was to have been administered by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

 SPORTS

 Heartland Queens of Owerri suffer defeat

 Heartland Queens football club of Owerri on Sunday suffered its first defeat at the ongoing Nigerian Women football league super six playoffs.

At the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, Omalicha FM’s sports correspondent reports that Confluence Queens of Lokoja scored two unreplied goals including a penalty to peg the Owerri Queens at just one point from two games. Their next game comes up tomorrow.

- Benny Naza 

POLICE COMMAND OPENS INVESTIGATION AS 6 CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER GHASTLY ROAD ACCIDENT 

At least 6 persons, were confirmed dead after a trailer ran into four mini busses at the junction of Imo State University Owerri, on Saturday evening.

An eyewitness said the trailer which was laden with stones was coming from Orji to Owerri but lost it’s breaks at Ugwu-orji, colliding with several vehicles coming from opposite direction.

According to the man who said he witnessed the incident, the driver was trying to avoid hitting those passengers and mini-buses that usually occupy the junction when it veered off the opposite lane, hitting more than four small buses loaded with passengers.

Some persons at the scene of the accident helped convey some of the victims to the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Owerri.

They however lamented the absence of emergency services in the state as no government agency was on hand or arrived hours after the accident occured.

IMO GOVERNMENT DECRIES PROLIFERATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

The Imo State Government has expressed concern over what it calls the rapid proliferation of local tabloids in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Strategy, and Public Enlightenment, Declan  Emelumba, made this known during a courtesy visit by the new executive of the State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Owerri at the weekend.

While acknowledging that Imo State has the largest number of print and electronic media outlets, providing jobs for youths, Emelumba emphasized the need for measures to checkmate the influx of local tabloids to prevent quackery in the media profession

To this end, the commissioner added that the government has introduced a weekly briefing for practicing journalists to keep the public informed about government activities.

NIGERIA’S LABOUR UNION REJECTS GOVERNMENT’S MINIMUM WAGE OFF OF N46

Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade-Union Congress, has said it will not accept the N48,000 minimum wage offer proposed by the Federal Government.

The unions had last week stormed out of the minimum wage negotiation meeting after the Federal Government offered to pay N48,000, a figure far below the N615,00 the unions were demanding as the new national minimum wage.

After abandoning the session, the furious labour leaders in an emergency press conference vented their displeasure with the offer, stating that it was “an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerian workers”.

This was the second time in two weeks that the negotiation had run into a stalemate.

The last session, held on April 29, was deadlocked after organised labour insisted on N615,000 minimum wage.

The Federal Government disagreed with labour’s demand, stating that it was unreasonable.

SPORTS

Imo Flamingoos close to securing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup ticket

Imo Strikers Queens goal poacher, Harmony Chidi bagged a hat-trick as Flamingos marched on to Round Four of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifying series. Recall that the Flamingos were forced to one-on-one draw a week ago in Mali by Burkina Faso

The Flamingos dismantled their opponents 6-0, courtesy of a hat-trick by Harmony Chidi, a brace from Peace Effiong and a Ramota Kareem’s strike in a scintillating encounter.

The Flamingos are through to the fourth and final qualifying round and will face either Senegal or Liberia.

Three teams will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic. The competition will run from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

Do you have any tips or information any development issue in your area? Give us a call on 0803 272 2065, or email us on info@omalichamedia.com...,. omalicha radio – the voice for development.

Image Credit: Colgate 

Eyong said this on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 during a conference organised by United Nations (UN) Women at the UN Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory.

According to Omalicha 91.1 FM's reporter, Eucharia Erege, who covered the event live, the UN envoy also highlighted the importance of women participation in politics.

On the challenges that women who run for political office face, Dr. Ruqqayyah Yusuf-Ali of the Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano State stated categorically that the reason why women do not participate fully in elections is because of the high cost of campaigns, lack of support from women, and the commercialisation of political news by the media. 

Yusuf-Ali also said that the barriers should be broken to enable the active participation of women in politics.

Speaking further, Titilope Fadare, an assistant Podcast Editor, at SciDev.Net in her presentation opined that some women do not have a clear idea of what they want in politics. 

Fadare also stressed that women should go into politics with a mindset of winning and not just to have fun. 

Also, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Center, Lagos, encouraged women to come out fully and seek to be voted for.

According to him, leadership is for every gender.

The theme of the conference is: UN Women Nigeria Media Forum 2024, escalating media actions for women's empowerment.

This report was put together by Eucharia Erege. 

Listen to the full audio report!

On this episode of Centre Stage, Benny Naza takes a look at agitations from several groups in different regions of Nigeria for independence.

Benny and his guest , Hon. Emeka Nwadi talked about the Nigerian economy and practices that hinder business growth.

They dive deep into the requirements to appease the land if certain atrocities take place.

You will certainly gain insights from this episode.

Omenala Igbo showcases the rich tradition and culture of the Igbos.

She also lists ways organisations can make the workplace safe for employees.

Discover tips on how your community can attract investment through tourism.

Listen to this podcast and learn where you can apply for grants and the application requirements.

Imo Governor Urged To Conduct Local Government Elections 

Following the proposed inauguration of a new Imo state executive council, comprising of 16 commissioner designates, the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma have been urged to afterwards turn his attention towards local government administration.

Presently, none of the 27 Local Government councils in the state have a political leadership either by election or appointment.

Speaking to Omalicha FM, Hon Emeka Nwadi, immediate past secretary of Mbaitoli Local Government Council, lamented the non existence of political leadership at the grassroots 

He enumerated some of the functions of the local council administration and highlighted the need for its restoration. 

Nwadi enjoined the governor to as a matter of urgency conduct local government elections, and also put in place measures to check the excesses of the local council leaders.

....

Army Promises To Restore Peace To The South-East 

The Commander, Joint Task Force, Southeast Operation Udo Ka, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, has said that his commitment to total return of peace to the southeast region remains sacrosanct.

Mr Dada, who is also the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, said this while addressing troops during a sallah lunch with the troops and security personnel of the operation at the naval base, Oguta council area of Imo, on Thursday.

The Commander pledged unflinching support for civil authorities to ensure the return and sustenance of peace in the region for sustainable economic development.

He commended all security personnel of the operation for their resilience, adding that the successes so far recorded would not have been possible without their collective efforts.

....

NCDC Reiterates Advice For Lassa Fever Prevention 

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), 150 people died from Lassa virus in 125 local government areas throughout 27 states in the federation between January and March 2024.

The agency confirmed that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre, EOC.

No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 13, the report noted.

NCDC reiterates it’s advice that primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents, putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.

....

Inflation

Chairman of the BUA Group of Companies, Rabiu Abdulsamad, has expressed confidence that prices in Nigeria will soon begin to drop.

Abdulsamad who made the assertion while visiting the President, Bola Tinubu at the government house in Abuja highlighted the significant progress that has been made in addressing the country’s longstanding foreign exchange challenges.

He blamed the high inflation rate on activities of speculators whom he said manipulated and commercialized the dollar, but expressed happiness at the gains of the naira in recent days.

Abdulsamad attributed this positive development to the government’s reform efforts and the collaboration between the public and private sectors.

He noted that a committee has been established to facilitate this partnership, which he believes is crucial for the country’s economic recovery.

....

Sports 

All is set for the commencement of the final rounds of the TOSKA FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT for communities in the Owerri Federal Constituency.

The multi million naira competition which is magnanimously sponsored by the member representing Owerri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Tochukwu Okere (TOSKA) have already had the group and round of 16 stages completed.

The matches which are played at various grounds throughout Owerri Federal Constituency will see Umuoma Nekede, Eziobodo, Ikenegbu, Umuokpo, Egbu, Umuonyeche Umuodu, Ohii and Emekuku slugging it out in the quarter finals slated for Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April.

Semi finals will be played on Wednesday April 17 with the 3rd place match slated for Saturday April 20.

The competition will conclude with a grand finale on Sunday April 21 at Holy Ghost college where prizes will be awarded to winning teams and deserving players as well as opportunities to further their footballing careers.

If you have an eyewitness report, do reach out to our news desk at OMALICHA 91.1FM via calls or Whatsapp on 0903 067 0799.

According to Channels Television, Umeoji's appointment makes her the first female GMD of the bank.

She will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose tenure expires on May 31, 2024.

Umeoji has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos. Also, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a first-class honour in Law from Baze University, Abuja.

The new Zenith Bank GMD has a Master of Law Degree from the University of Salford, United Kingdom as well as a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.

She is an alumna of Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School, Columbia Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management and Apollos University,

Umeoji is a fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Credit Administration and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria among others.

Before her appointment, she has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016.

Please listen to the audio commentary in Igbo above!

Image Credit: Guardian

Recall that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and campaign for infrastructural development, Omalicha 91.1 FM publicised the plight and complaints of people living and doing business in communities affected by the construction work.

As part of her follow-up report, Omalicha 91.1 FM correspondent, Amarachi Adimuko spoke to some residents along the Azaraebelu axis of the Owerri-Umuahia road.

Please listen to the audio report above!

This day is set aside every year to provide a moment for collective reflection and a powerful reminder on the critical importance of safe water.

This global initiative aims to raise awareness about water-related issues and advocate for sustainable management of our essential water resources.

This year's theme is: Water for Peace. 

Image Credit: The Guardian