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 NEWS  Scene of Alleged Incident The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the disturbing incident where a police team ran a vehicle over a citizen on Thursday June 29, 2023 at Ekpoma, Edo State. He directed the erring policemen, who had been in detention in Edo State, to report to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday for further action. A statement on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi added that “Members of the public, particularly the people of Ekpoma, are implored to remain calm as the present leadership of the NPF will not condone such an act of unprofessionalism and illegality”. Click  here to see full statement on twitter. SaharaReporters earlier on Friday reported that Adejobi, who expressed his disbelief at the incident, said the force must immediately take action. He said he had spoken to the state police commissioner about it. In the disturbing video, a man in handcuffs was seen being crushed by...

 NEWS  File Image The UK government is set to recruit over 300,000 new doctors and nurses in the largest single expansion in National Health Service (NHS) history, as part of a series of plans to improve the health service. The Prime Minister unveiled the 15-year long-awaited plan to recruit record numbers of doctors alongside its £2.4bn investment, at Downing, The National News UK reported on Friday. The strategy estimates the recruitment of a potential 60,000 extra doctors, 170,000 more nurses and 71,000 health professionals by 2036/37. It also promises to create a “renewed focus on retention” in the health workforce, while also preparing for future challenges created by a growing and ageing population. It comes after warnings from health leaders in recent years that there could be 360,000 vacancy gaps in the NHS by 2037 amid growing concerns about staff shortages in the health service. The National News reports that the plan to overhaul staffing is “the most radic...

 NEWS File Image From   Stanley Uzoaru ,  Owerri The  Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has rejected a business partnership proposal by Britain with the South East insisting on the unconditional release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as the only condition to discuss any trade terms. Spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, who was reacting to the visit of the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery to Ohaneze Ndigbo recently, promising to partner with Igbo in business and development, noted that the envoy erred by discussing business terms while its citizen, Kanu is still being illegally detained by the Nigeria government. “When has the Nigerian government, who is a baby of Britain become powerful as to override the influence of Britain in the case of a British citizen, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu? Does Britain think that Ndigbo are stupid and gullible to trade our freedom and that of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with this    British Greek gift?  “Therefore, IPOB and the ...

NEWS Hon Erondu Uchenna Erondu The member representing Obingwa-West state constituency in Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA), Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr has lauded the Federal Government (FG) for responding positively to the resolution of the State Assembly to suspend the proposed electricity tarrif increment earlier billed to start by July 1, 2023. The PDP Lawmaker, Hon Erondu who disclosed this today in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, noted that the development would relieve vulnerable Nigerians that are going through difficult times due to fuel subsidy removal. The Uhie people’s representative further urged FG to show commitment towards the vulnerable groups in Nigeria by providing palliative measures to cushion the untold hardship Nigerians are facing in the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Elder Erondu had moved the first motion of the 8th Abia Assembly on matter of urgent public importance at the plenary of ABHA recently; calling on FG to suspend the newly proposed elec...

 NEWS  Dr Alex Otti Abia state government have suspended Onyii Wamah, Abia state head of service and all permanent secretaries of the state except John Pedro, the clerks of the state house of assembly. The Dr Alex Otti’s led state Government made this development public through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kazie Uko, also announced the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, the director of ministry of Education as the acting head of service. The release captioned: “ABIA SUSPENDS PERMANENT SECRETARIES, HEAD OF SERVICE, APPOINTS ACTING HOS” reads in full: “Following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government, the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service. “Consequently, the Governor has approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head ...

 NEWS  The Deceased,   Martina  Okey Itagbor. Some youths have a woman to death in Cross River State, South-South after accusing her of witchcraft. The deceased woman, identified as Madam Martina Okey Itagbor, was accused of causing the death of two young men who died in a motor accident. She was subsequently brutally murdered by youths of Old Netim in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state. A lawyer, James Ibor, who exposed the barbaric incident on his Facebook page, has been calling for justice for the deceased using #Justice4MartinaItagbor. A gory video of the incident obtained by SaharaReporters shows the half-naked woman being burnt to death in the middle of a paved road by some youths who had gathered around. On his Facebook page on Wednesday, Ibor wrote, “Madam Martina Okey Itagbor was accused of witchcraft and burnt to death by the Youths of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. “This was after a fatal motor accident claimed the lives ...

 NEWS Canadian Flag The Government of Saskatchewan Province in Canada has issued a proclamation designating August 5, 2023, as Igbo Day of Arts and Culture. The proclamation followed a request made by the Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan (ICAS) Inc. "We invite all Igbo people, our friends and well-wishers, to join us as we celebrate our cultural heritage in Canada at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street, Regina," said Dr. Chidi Igwe, President of the Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan, in a statement sent to SaharaReporters on Thursday. The proclamation was issued by the Saskatchewan Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, who writes in the Certificate of Recognition that "I, Laura Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport in the Province of Saskatchewan in exercise of the powers conferred upon me, do hereby designate the day of August 5, 2023 to be 'lgbo Day of Arts and Culture' in Saskatchewan...

 OPINIONS  Dr Alex Otti Alex Otti reneging on his campaign and inaugural speech promises has no better description than clear signs of lack of direction and proper planning. Firstly, Strategic planning is a process that helps organizations define their direction and make decisions on allocating resources to pursue their goals. It involves setting objectives, identifying strategies to achieve those objectives, and creating action plans to implement those strategies. However, below are early signs of lack of strategic planning: 1.) Lack of clear goals and objectives: Without strategic planning, there may be a lack of clarity regarding the organization’s long-term goals and objectives.This can result in a lack of focus and direction in decision-making processes. 2.) Reactive decision-making: Without a strategic plan, governance may tend to be reactive rather than proactive. Decisions may be made in response to immediate issues or crises, rather than being based on a long-term vis...

NEWS Oyegwu Anasala Afoso, the deceased. Some personnel of the Nigerian Army have allegedly killed three protesting youths in Afokpella community, in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The youths were protesting to express their grievances against extortion and underemployment by the two cement factories operating in the community, namely BUA Cement Company and Dangote Cement. According to  FIJ , the deceased, were identified as 29-year-old Oyegwu Anasala Afoso, and David Agbagie with one other person whose identity is yet-to-be ascertained. They were reportedly shot by power-drunk soldiers point-blank and prevented to be taken to hospital by family members. Apart from the three killed, several other youths sustained varying degrees of bullet injuries. A cousin of the late Oyegwu, Princess Natasha, who took to her twitter handle to lament the brutal killing, said that her cousin was shot on Monday during a protest organised by youths in the community against their ...

OPINION Dr Alex Chioma Otti By John Okiyi Kalu. As a matter of personal philosophy, I refrain from criticizing new administrations, at state or federal level, or passing judgement on its activities before their first 100 days in office especially if no major blunder is committed that threatens security and survival of the people. I may extend that to as much as 180 days before taking a stand one way or another. This is because I understand the  challenges of forming and stabilizing a new administration which normally will require time and patience from the people. Indeed, my refrain in comments made before the inauguration of the new administration in Abia State was usually to call for prayers and patience for them as I believe no two administrations are same or will meet similar challenges. Earlier today, I read a publication captioned  “My administration experienced hostile handover”wherein the head of the administration in Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, was quoted as saying, amo...

 NEWS EU handing observations documents to INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu . The European Union (EU) in its report has claimed that at least 74 fatalities were recorded in 101 violent incidents that occurred during the 2023 electioneering period in Nigeria. The EU mentioned this in its final report titled “Election Observation Mission NIGERIA 2023” and obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday. The union claimed that all the recorded violent incidents occurred during the campaigning period, adding that killings became more increased when the election drew nearer. According to the report, the violence obstructed the integral parts of the election and suppressed active participation of voters. The statement reads: “The EU EOM recorded 101 violent incidents during the campaign, including at least 74 fatalities. Assassination attempts and killings increased closer to the polls, creating a particularly insecure environment in the southern states. In several northern states, systematic attack...

 NEWS  Sarkodie | Yvonne Nelson Ghanaian rapper, Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as Sarkodie, has seemingly replied his estranged girlfriend, actress Yvonne Nelson after she accused him of impregnating her and refusing to take responsibility. Yvonne Nelson, in her recently published book, ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’, narrated how she aborted her first pregnancy for the singer. In a chapter titled ‘A Difficult Decision’, she said Sarkodie “said no to keeping the pregnancy.” However, reacting in his latest single, ‘ Try Me [Raw] ’ released on Wednesday, Sarkodie claimed he asked Yvonne Nelson to keep the pregnancy even though he wasn’t ready to be the father. “Yes, I wasn’t ready but then I told you to keep it. So don’t make it seem like I was pushing you for abortion,” he raps in the first verse of the song. He said Yvonne Nelson’s book was not so great but got patronage because of the negative things she wrote. “Not because your book is really good but we are living in a worl...

NEWS Hon Chinedu Ogah  Diverse reactions have continued to trail the distribution of tobacco by Hon. Chinedu Ogah, member representing Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency on weekend. Ogah made the distribution Saturday as part of events marking his 47th birthday anniversary. The visibly elated Ogah who compared the tobacco to a job, urged beneficiaries to guard against diversion. Hon Ogah Distributing Tobacco to Constituents. The lawmaker announced that the tobacco empowerment beneficiaries will surely value it more than those he gave federal jobs. A statement from the lawmaker's media office signed by Charles Kelechi Iteshi quoted the lawmaker as saying "What I am offering them as tobacco is widows mite but I am certain many of them would value it more than those employees that I attracted federal jobs from my constituency". It was gathered that the 47-year-old Lawmaker insisted that youths, especially the elder men must be given the substance as they are actors in the...

 Eid-El-Kabir  Chief Okey Ahiwe The Abia state PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections, Chief Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, has admonished Muslim faithfuls in Abia state and Nigeria to earnestly pray for the stability of our democracy, economy and as do everything within the ambit of legitimacy to promote peaceful coexistence as they mark this year's Eid- El- Kabir celebrations. In a statement made available to newsmen, Chief Ahiwe enjoined all Muslim brethren nationwide to explore the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which promotes the virtues of love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Chief Ahiwe charged Nigerians to use this period as a time of sober reflection, noting that Nigerians are presently passing through several challenges but believes that the country can get out of it's socio - economic quagmire if we all imbibe and practice the teaching of Allah as enshrined in the holy Quran. He maintained that, if the core values of God are dutifully implemented, ...