News
Rural Development: Ugwuanyi expresses hope Mbah will surpass his achievements
The Enugu state Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has expressed optimism that the performance of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, if he emerges as his successor in 2023, will surpass his own achievements.
Governor Ugwuanyi made the remark when the various World Bank development agencies/Assisted Projects that are partnering with his administration in the socio infrastructural sector development, most especially in the rural areas, paid him a thank you visit alongside the beneficiaries and equally a solidarity visit in support of Dr Peter Mbah.
Ugwuanyi who said that he was happy with the committed efforts of the development partners, therefore pleaded with the beneficiaries to cast their votes for Peter Mbah, which will be continuation of his administration.
Mbah while commending the various projects executed by the development partners, extolled the vision and mission of Governor Ugwuanyi in partnering with the World bank, stating that it is a mark of a focused administration in view of the fact that World bank demands maximum transparency and strict compliance to counterpart funding from every of their partners.
“I am grateful to be part of this event because it is an affirmation of Governor Ugwuanyi’s vision, mission and focused administration. My presence is also an affirmation of continuity by the special grace of God, if I am elected”.
“I understand what it takes to partner with World Bank and Development agencies because transparency is one critical issue that will be required. The partnership also requires synergy of all parties to keep their own part of the bargain”.
He commended Governor Ugwuanyi for paying the state government’s counterpart funding for the projects and promised to continue with Governor Ugwuanyi’s vision and mission in this direction if he is elected as the next governor of the state.
The PDP Governorship candidate, pleaded with the Enugu state electorates to cast their votes for him and other candidates of PDP gunning for elective positions in the 2023 general elections.
Mbah stated, “We have been blessed with continuous leadership quality of PDP in Enugu state. We wish to continue on the template set by Governor Ugwuanyi. But we need to secure the mandate of the people”.
Recall the partnership between Enugu state government and the World Bank has seemingly facilitated the rate and pace of rural development, creation of job opportunities and empowerment of some of the rural dwellers in the past seven years of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration in Enugu state.
That basically informed the decision why some of the Development partners, Contractors, Beneficiaries under the aegis of Enugu State Development Partners Family, decided to pay a ‘Thank You and Solidarity Visit’ to Governor Ugwuanyi on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022.
Some of the Development partners include Rural Access and Mobility Projects [RAMP] through which Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration has constructed over 418 kilometer of rural roads across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, asphalted about 49.1 kilometer of such roads within Isi Uzo and Uzo Uwani local government areas of the state. Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration through RAMP has also built culvert and bridges across twenty three river crossings in the state.
Governor Ugwuanyi also made tremendous land mark achievements in the area of Agricultural production, processing and Marketing, through APPEALS, another development partner. Others include NEWMAP, SOCU, IFAD, CLVA, CSDA etc with funds jointly provided by the state government and the World Bank.
At the Thank You visit which was held within government house Enugu, the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor/Focal Person of the World Bank Development Partners Assisted Projects, Mr. Nnadi Uche Fidelis on behalf of all the development partners, appraised Governor Ugwuanyi’s diligence and policy on transparency which facilitated the execution of these projects across rural communities in the state.
His words, “Apart from the many landmark achievements of your Excellency in the socio economic development of Enugu state, leveraging the Development Partners Interventions, It is important to note that these achievements majorly are predicated on your Excellency’s cardinal policy of Institutionalization of Transparency, Accountability, Traceability and strict adherence to due process”.
He recalled that the State Project Implementation Units [SPIU] of the various Projects, programmes of the development Partners in the state, had operated secretly and by so doing aided and abetted financial misconducts, but the interventions of Governor Ugwuanyi through the establishment of the state focal office for development partners assisted projects/programmes reduced the cases of financial impurities to the barest minimum.
The APPEALS Project Coordinator, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze disclosed that the project has been able to engage over seven thousand women and youths in Agricultural production, processing and marketing of products. She said that they have equally trained Youths and Women securing grants of up to two million naira adding that so far 857 beneficiaries have assessed the grant.
Ihuoma revealed that APPEALS has constructed a total of 13kilometer rural roads across nine communities in Enugu state and expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for prompt payment of the state government’s counterpart funds.
Dr. George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of Enugu Primary Health Development Agency explained that the partnership with World Bank in the health sector facilitated the establishment of 260 primary health centers across the state, of which every one of them has received drugs worth over one million naira.
He stressed that the giant strides recorded by Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration in the primary health sector was rated high by the National primary health care office as one of the best in the country. He also expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for prompt release of the state counterpart funds.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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