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  News    File Image  The military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the Economic Community of West African States "without delay". Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020. All three -- founding members of the bloc in 1975 -- were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to push for the early return of civilian governments with elections. The sanctions were an "irrational and unacceptable posture" at a time when the three "have decided to take their destiny in hand" -- a reference to the coups that removed civilian administrations. The three nations have hardened th...

  News    File Image    In the early hours of this morning, tragedy struck as a fatal accident occurred at MCC Junction Aba, leaving residents in a state of shock and mourning. The incident took place around 2 am on January 28, 2024, and has since sparked investigations into the cause of the accident and raised concerns over reckless driving and criminal activities. Eyewitnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a loud crashing noise at approximately 2:45 am, prompting them to rush to the scene. Mr. KC, a resident living nearby, shared his harrowing account of the incident, stating that a convoy of about five luxury vehicles was involved in the accident. Speculations suggest that the vehicles had been returning from a night club. Among the vehicles involved in the tragic accident was a brand-new Mercedes GLK. Witnesses claimed that the vehicle belonged to a suspected internet fraudster, commonly known as a “Yahoo Yahoo boy.” Shockingly, a group of criminals was ...

  Opinion    Theorizing Party Politics: Abia PDP in Perspective by Dr Chris Nwagboso, PhD. | #NwokeukwuMascot   Dr Chris Nwagboso., PhD. PDP is still very strong in Abia State. Anyone who really understands the unending intrigues in Party Politics will not underestimate the capacity of Abia PDP in 2027. As a die hard PDP Member in Abia State, I appeal to all members to remain in PDP. Let's do issue-based Politics and remain constructive as we have been. A good party man/woman does not jump from one party to the other. Such aberrant political behaviour raises critical questions on one's integrity. It's pertinent to note that mistakes were made and great lessons have been learnt. Thus, many people were ill-treated prior to 2023 election. In the same political party and political family, some members were fighting personal, selfish and parochial wars against some of us in the same party/political family with them. Such foolish behaviours adversely impacted on pol...

  Sports    ..Controversial Rule Cancels Nigeria’s Goal in Match Against Cameroon | #NwokeukwuMascot  File Image  In a surprising turn of events during the Nigeria vs. Cameroon match, an unpopular rule caused Nigeria’s goal to be cancelled. The rule in question involves the offside line, which is typically drawn in relation to the last but one player behind, usually the last defender before the goalkeeper. However, when the goalkeeper rushes off his line ahead of a defender, as was the case in this match, the goalkeeper becomes the last but one player and becomes the point where the offside line is drawn. In the specific incident, every Nigerian player behind the Cameroonian goalkeeper, Ondoa, was deemed offside. This decision was made because the goalkeeper was considered the last but one player, and the offside line was drawn accordingly. Additionally, the presence of the Nigerian players who were offside obstructed the view of the Cameroonian player positione...

  News    ...Fake EFCC operatives arrested in Abia state after robbing students | #NwokeukwuMascot   File Image   In a daring act of robbery, a gang of four individuals impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) targeted students at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU) in Umudike, Abia state. However, their criminal activities were short-lived as the Abia Police Command swiftly responded to the distress call and apprehended three of the suspects. According to ASP Maureen Chinaka, spokesperson for the Abia Police Command, the fake EFCC operatives forcefully relieved the students of their valuables, including mobile phones, and coerced them into transferring a sum of N120,000 to the assailants’ bank accounts. The incident occurred at the students’ residence, prompting immediate police action. Upon receiving the information, police operatives were deployed to the university campus, leading to the arrest of ...

  News   ..Mr Umahi, who was in Aba to inspect the project, directed the security operatives attached to his motorcade to arrest the erring traders | #NwokeukwuMascot   File Image  Works Minister David Umahi ordered the arrest of some persons trading on the completed section of the Aba axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, still undergoing rehabilitation. Mr Umahi, who was in Aba to inspect the project, directed the security operatives attached to his motorcade to arrest the erring traders. He expressed disappointment over the activities of the traders, saying that they would be charged to court according to the law of the land. The minister expressed dissatisfaction that the traders’ activities disturbed construction works, as they used the completed section of the road for trading and dumping of refuse. “The whole of Aba refuse is being dumped on this road. It is not encouraging at all,” he said. Mr Umahi advised the state government to set up a task for...

  News    File Image  Some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have been accused of kidnapping a businessman in Abuja, the country’s capital city and extorting the sum of N29,900,000 from him. An X user made this known while sharing the receipts of the money paid to the police officer. In a video seen by SaharaReporters, it was alleged that the businessman was kidnapped at one of his sites in Abuja by the police officers who were armed and continued to detain him until he transferred all the money in his bank account to them. They thereafter insisted he should call all his relatives and friends to keep sending money before he could be freed. It was alleged that the man was taken away from his site without any proper complaint against him and he was not asked to write a formal statement by the Police Officers. A narrator in the video said, “I posted about the case of N29,900,000 police extortion in Abuja, Nigeria.  Alright, I don’t know how to call it, whethe...

  Sports   Super Eagles crush Cameroon to advance into quarterfinals | #NwokeukwuMascot   File Image  Ademola Lookman scored both goals as Nigeria defeated old rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerians had an early Semi Ajayi goal disallowed following a VAR review in this last-16 clash before the constant pressing and bullying of the Cameroon defence by Victor Osimhen led to Lookman finding the net in the 36th minute. The Super Eagles then kept the Indomitable Lions at bay before Lookman made sure of the victory in the 90th minute in front of 22,085 fans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. They will now return to the same venue for a last-eight meeting next Friday with Angola, who earlier defeated Namibia 3-0. With the fearsome Osimhen leading from the front, the Super Eagles are clearly a serious threat to reigning champions Senegal as they chase a fourth continental crown. This f...

  Sports   …Xavi said even if Barcelona won the Champions League he would not change his mind and stay | #NwokeukwuMascot   Xavi Hernandez  Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will leave his post at the end of the season after his struggling team were beaten 5-3 by Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga. “On June 30 I will leave the club, it’s a decision I have taken with the president, with the staff,” Xavi told reporters. Champions Barcelona, third in the top flight, are 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid with their title defence virtually over. After elimination in the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao this week and a thrashing by Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier in January, Xavi said he made the decision for the good of the club. “I’ve thought about the club … and above all the players,” said Xavi. “I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense. “I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is v...

  News    File Image  Isiala Ngwa North, [26-01-2023] - Chief Collins Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu, the esteemed representative of Isiala Ngwa North in the Abia State Assembly, has launched the Education Support Initiative to provide financial assistance for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registrations of 100 students in his constituency. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, ensuring equal opportunities for higher education. Chief Iheonunekwu has approved the release of ₦1,000,000 (One million Naira only) to sponsor the JAMB registrations for the year 2024. By providing this financial support, Chief Iheonunekwu hopes to empower the youth of Isiala Ngwa North and enable them to access quality education. To take advantage of this opportunity, interested candidates are urged to visit the official registration portal at  https://ochakejambinitiativeform.com/ . The website contains all the necessary info...

  News    File Image  Unidentified gunmen have abducted Professor Godwin Emezue, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), in a shocking incident that took place at a filling station in Umuekwule, Amachara, Umuahia South Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the esteemed university professor and his wife had stopped at the fuel station to refill their tank when they were approached by at least three armed men. The assailants forcefully seized Prof. Emezue and forcibly placed him inside a waiting Lexus SUV. To make matters worse, they also took his wife's ATM card before swiftly fleeing the scene. Heartbroken and terrified, Prof. Emezue's wife revealed that the kidnappers sped away in the direction of the Imo-Abia border, heading towards the bustling Malaysian market area. The incident has left the community in a state of shock, raising concerns about the safety and security of residents. The academic community, in par...

  News    Gov Sim Fubara  As the political crisis rocking Rivers State takes new twist, the State House of Assembly on Friday passed into law four bills seeking to override the powers of the governor to appoint caretaker chairmen for the local government areas of state. The four bills passed by the lawmakers loyal to the former Governor Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, without the consent of Governor Sim Fubara are; "the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law; The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, The Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State Owned Property Prohibition repeal law and The Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law." The lawmakers relied on Section 100 subsection 5 to override the governor's assent, insisting that the governor is not required for the passage into law of the said bills. Speaking during the plenary on Friday, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule read four letters addressed to h...

  News   …Otti’s Judicial Panel of Enquiry demands accountability in Abia State | #NwokeukwuMascot   File Image  In a move towards transparency and accountability, the Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has directed the state Assembly Clerk, John Pedro Irokansi, to return six vehicles he received from previous administrations. The panel which has been accused of political witch-hunting was said to be established to investigate the previous administration, particularly the Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu led government. It has been revealed that Irokansi, who also served as Clerk to the Assembly during the previous administration, received these vehicles from the immediate-past government. However, the panel has deemed this action inappropriate, as the vehicles were intended for elected Abia State House of Assembly members, not civil servants like Irokansi. The panel, in its findings, highlighted that as a civil servant, Irokansi shou...

  News    File Image  In a terrifying incident, a private jet carrying several Very Important Personalities (VIPs) crash-landed in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The incident occurred at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport on Friday morning, around 11 am. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or casualties reported. The jet, with registration number N580KR, veered off the runway and ended up in the nearby bush. The cause of the crash-landing is still unknown, and investigations are underway by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. Firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were immediately dispatched to the scene to ensure the safety of the passengers. The swift response and efficient handling of the situation prevented any harm to the VIPs onboard. According to Carol Adekotujo, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the private jet had originated from Abuja and landed safely but overshot th...

  News    File Image  In a statement released by the Nigerian Army on their verified Facebook account, the Nigerian Army has cleared a camp of Biafra Liberation Army in the Okigwe Axis of Imo State. According to the release captioned "TROOPS CLEAR ESN CAMP AT OKIGWE, NEUTRALIZE KIDNAPPER IN OWERRI," the Ignitia from a photo of the recoveres exhibits boldly reads Biafra Liberation Army. However, the Nigerian Army stated that it was the camp of the Eastern Security Network of the Indigenous People of Biafra, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The statement reads in full: “The Combined troops of the 82 Division Nigerian, Navy and Air Force in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps cleared several camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it's armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) along Umulolo - Umukele - Amousu and Agbobu in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. “The troops stormed and destroyed hideouts of the...