ENUGU GOVT GIVES DECEMBER DEADLINE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF COAL MINING OPERATIONS In a bid to restore its prominence as the leading coal mining state in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, the Enugu State government weekend met with mineral title holders in the state, issuing them December deadline for commencement of operations. In a communique issued at the end of …

SENATE PRESIDENT, AKPABIO, PRAISES THE IGBO FOR INDUSTRY, SELF-RELIANCE Senate President Godswill Akpabio has lauded the Igbo people for their industrious spirit and their remarkable ability to develop and invest in the communities they inhabit, no matter their location. Akpabio made these remarks during a night of tribute held in honour of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. He highlighted the …

SINS OF SIMON EKPA, THE SO-CALLED BIAFRA PRIME MINISTER IN EXILE The arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), by Finnish authorities last Thursday has reignited questions about his controversial role in the Biafra agitation movement. Born on March 21, 1985, in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State, Ekpa has emerged as a polarising figure …

YAHAYA BELLO: BETRAYED BY TRUST, REDEEMED BY CHOICE – ABDUL MOHAMMED LAWAL Leadership is often seen as a fragile bridge of trust; built with vision, maintained with integrity, and, most times, tested by the actions of others. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is an example of the strength needed to overcome such tests. His leadership in Kogi State broke barriers, …

HUNGER IN THE LAND: THIEVES INVADE CHURCH, STEAL HARVEST COWS LESS than seven days to the ninth “Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service” of the Celestial Church of Christ, Testimony Parish, Elerumoke, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, suspected thieves desecrated the temple of God and made away with two large cows meant for the celebration of …

THERE’S CONSPIRACY AGAINST ME – DANIEL BWALA The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has raised the alarm over what he called “overwhelming conspiracy” against him from some television guests and anchors in the country. He, however, did not give specific identification of those conspiring against him. Bwala was last week appointed as one of the …

PDP GOVERNORS GIVE DAMAGUM, NWC THREE MONTHS TO CALL NEC MEETING Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from their meeting with a “strong advice” for the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to call for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party latest by February. Since August, the NWC has …

NIGERIANS CALL FOR REUBEN ABATI’S SACK OVER BIGOTRY REMARKS AGAINST THE IGBOArise TV anchor Reuben Abati has come under severe criticism from Nigerians over his recent comments about the Igbo ethnic group in the country.Speaking during The Good Morning Show on Friday, the former Special Adviser on media to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan stated that they Igbos, unlike other ethnic groups …

140 YEARS AFTER THE BERLIN WEST AFRICA CONFERENCE BY CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU & CHEPKORIR SAMBU Described by one scholar on its centenary as “perhaps the greatest historical movement of modern times”, the Berlin Conference West Africa Conference began shortly after noon on 15 November 1884. Interrupted only by a short break at the end of the year and the beginning …

POLICE INVADE NATIVE DOCTOR’S SHRINE IN ANAMBRA, ARREST TWO SUSPECTS FOR KIDNAPPING No fewer than two suspects have been arrested in a native doctor’s shrine at Uru, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. The suspects who were arrested when joint security forces comprising of the police and Anambra Vigilantes busted the …

FROM ENUGU TO OXFORD: INSPIRING STORY OF NIGERIA’S FIRST-CLASS GRADUATE Odinaka Akpamgbo graduated with a First Class in Law from both Enugu State University and the Nigerian Law School, earning two national prizes. Now pursuing a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree at Oxford University on a full scholarship, he discusses his aspirations to make a global impact in law. …

NNPC DIRECTS MARKETERS TO STOP PETROL IMPORTS, CITIES DANGOTE REFINERY CAPACITY The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has issued a directive to oil marketers to cease the importation of petrol, asserting that the Dangote Refinery possesses sufficient capacity to meet domestic demand. BusinessDay’s findings showed this directive emerged during a high-level meeting in Abuja, attended by NNPC Group CEO …

ANGRY RESIDENTS SET TWO REVENUE AGENTS ABLAZE IN ANAMBRA FOR CAUSING MAN’S DEATH Tensions escalated in Onitsha, Anambra state, as angry residents set two Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) agents ablaze after their actions allegedly caused the death of a bystander. The incident occurred over the weekend at Old Market Road, near Venn Road by Egerton. According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy …

AS SIMON EKPA COMES TO JUDGEMENT Simon Ekpa, the self-styled leader of the Biafra secessionist movement, appears to be facing his long-overdue reckoning following his arrest by the Finnish government on allegations of terrorism. Ekpa has consistently stirred the hornet’s nest for years with his incendiary remark and actions, so much so that his name has become synonymous with terror …

Some Nigerians in Finland are in panic following the arrest and detention of separatist leader, Simon Ekpa. Ekpa is one of the leaders of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra. According to sources, Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of the suspect over fear of being attacked. A Nigerian community leader, who spoke to …