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  News   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Heads of Accounts and Treasurers of all 17 local government areas in Abia State to its Uyo office as part of an ongoing investigation into local government financial activities following the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy. The Federal Government is scrutinizing financial records and expenditures of local governments across the country in line with the judgment, which emphasized financial independence for the third tier of government. As part of the probe, Abia local government officials have been directed to present comprehensive documentation detailing daily financial transactions, including salary schedules, overhead payments, and records of capital projects executed within the period under review. Additionally, they are required to submit records of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collected within their respective local government areas. Sources indicate that EFCC officials ...

  News   In a move set to enhance digital and financial inclusion across Africa, MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into strategic agreements to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria. The partnership, announced in a joint statement on Wednesday, is designed to improve network efficiency, expand coverage, and provide enhanced mobile services to millions, particularly in underserved rural areas. The deal aligns with local regulatory and statutory requirements, ensuring compliance while driving cost efficiencies and connectivity improvements. By leveraging shared infrastructure, both telecom giants aim to accelerate access to digital and financial services for communities that have yet to fully experience the benefits of a connected life. MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, underscored the significance of the agreement, emphasizing the growing demand for digital services across the continent. “As MTN, we are driven by the visio...

  News   Abuja, Nigeria – After months of anticipation and frustration, the Federal Government has finally commenced payment of the revised ₦77,000 monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. Reports confirm that several corps members received credit alerts on Wednesday, signaling the implementation of the long-awaited increase. This development comes after repeated assurances from the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who had pledged that all outstanding payments would be settled by the end of March. The delay in disbursing the increment, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu, had been attributed to budgetary constraints and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite the president’s directive, formal allocation of funds was required before the payments could be processed. Speaking during a recent interview on Channels TV, Minister Olawande reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring corps members receive their entitlements. He explained t...

  News   The wave of resignations trailing the defection of Hon. Lucky Udoka Nweke Johnson from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) has continued, with yet another close associate and key aide stepping down from his position in protest. Chief (Sir) Cajethan Arinze Ude, the Deputy Director General of the Lucky Johnson Cares Foundation, has officially resigned, citing loyalty to the PDP. His resignation follows similar moves by Hon. Johnson’s Chief of Staff, Director of Media and Publicity, and Deputy Women Leader , all of whom relinquished their positions in response to the lawmaker’s defection. In his resignation letter dated March 26, 2025, Chief Ude stated that the political path chosen by Hon. Johnson no longer aligns with his personal convictions as a committed PDP member from Uturu in Isiukwuato LGA. He reaffirmed his allegiance to the PDP, assuring that members of the foundation in his ward remain steadfast in their dedication to the party’s g...

  Opinion   Gov Otti’s Surprise Visit to ABSU: A Wake-Up Call or Another Publicity Stunt? By Obinna Oriaku | #NwokeukwuMascot Governor Alex Otti recently paid an unannounced visit to Abia State University (ABSU). For the first time, he witnessed firsthand the dire state of infrastructural decay within the institution. While this visit is commendable, one cannot help but ask: why did it take him two years in office to step foot in the state’s premier tertiary institution? The  infrastructural decay in Abia state University (ABSU) is not far from the situation in most State and Federal universities in Nigeria.  Funding of Universities is one of those demands of ASSU over the years . While not making excuses for the current sistuation of the University, the centralized financial management of the schools introduced by this administration have stripped the last breath of University (financial) autonomy from these institutions including ABSUTH. This policy could be part ...

  News   The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to reclaim the Isiukwuato State Constituency seat at the Abia State House of Assembly following the defection of Hon. Lucky Udoka Johnson from the PDP to the Labour Party (LP). In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Eric Ikwuagwu, the party condemned Johnson’s decision to retain the legislative seat despite leaving the party under whose platform he was elected. The PDP cited Section 109 (1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended), which stipulates that a lawmaker who defects from the party that sponsored their election must vacate their seat unless there is a division or merger within the original party. The PDP dismissed any claim of division within its structure, declaring Johnson’s action unconstitutional and politically unethical. The party warned that it would take all necessary legal and institutional steps to ensure that Isiukwuato State Constituency remains under ...