News

Enugu: Villagers drag PEACE Mass Transit MD to Court over Maduka Onyishi University land

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2024

Everydaynewsngr

The Amolu-Uwani Family of Ekwegbe Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State has dragged Maduka Onyishi, the owner of Maduka Univerity and Peace Mass Transit to the Enugu State High Court over the family land matter.

Copies of the writ of summons and motion on notice for Injunction currently pending at the Ogbede Division of the state High Court in suit No OG/06/2024 filed on 26th March 2024, as obtained by our correspondent listed the following as the 3rd -5th Defendants respectively, SAMUEL MADUKA ONYISHI, REGISTEERED TRUSTEES OF SAMUEL MADUKA ONYISHI FOUNDATION, MADUKA UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT BOARD among other Defendants.

Reliiefs sought by the Plaintiffs in the said writ among others prayers include :

“A DECLARATION that the Amolu-Uwani family in Amudu village, Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, comprising of 9 sub-families: Umu Attama, Umu Mbeke, Umu Edeoga, Umu Ugwuidogwu, Umu Ugwu, Umu Ezugwu, Umu Ele, Umu Agbo and Umu Gugu who are the deem holders of right of occupancy/ owners of the large expanse of land contained in the Sketch No 60/2022; Plan no HOU/EN/17/2022 measuring an area 377513.464sqm situate at Ugwu Udelle Agu Ekwegbe in Igbo Etiti LGA of Enugu State, has not shared the said Large expanse of land amongst the members of the Amolu-Uwani family and thus no member of the family can validly claim any portion of the said land nor sale, alienate nor enter an agreement for the sale or alienation of any such portion of the said land which by further description is bordered in the North direction by Obara Stream, the natural boundary between Opi Agu and Agu Ekwegbe , bordered in the East by land originally owned by the Amaezi family, now belonging to Dr. Dan. Shere, bordered in the West by the land belonging to Egbogu family, bordered in the South-West by Umuagogwu kindred’s land and bordered in the South by lands originally belonging to the Umunwogodo kindred.(the said bordering land which originally belong respectively to the Umunwogodo, Umuagogwu, Egbogu (Amairagu), and Ezemararua families are now owned by the 3rd Defendant) .

“A DECLARATION that the Plaintiffs being the principal members of the Amolu-Uwani family, their consent are required for any valid alienation or transaction of the said land or any part of the said land.

” A DECLARATION that the agreement signed by the 1st and 2nd Defendant to sell or alienate any part of the said Amolu-Uwani family land to the 3rd Defendant without the consent of the Plaintiffs who are the principal members of the family is invalid, null and void.

“AN ORDER OF COURT restraining the 3rd to 5th Defendant, either by themselves or through their agents or privies from entering any part of the said Amolu-Uwani family land without the consent of the Plaintiffs for the purpose of carrying out any fencing, excavation, building, construction, development or tampering with the said land in any manner howsoever.

On 27th March 2024 when the suit came up before the presiding Judge Hon Justice C.A Ogbabor for mention, Counsel to the Plaintiffs Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke Esq moved a motion for substituted service of the processes in the suit on the Defendants.

Motion was granted and the case was adjourned to 30th May 2024 for Motion on Notice.

Narrating the trajectory of facts leading to the suit in their Statement of Claim, the Plaintiffs stated among other things that ‘the said Amolu-Uwani family land holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the family. According to their traditions, the land which was occupied by their ancestors from time immemorial serves as “Ala Oluwa”, a sacred resting place for deceased members of the family. This belief is further reinforced by the custom that prohibits both male family heads (Onyishi Amolu-Uwani) and married female members of the family from visiting the land. Consequently, the land is being revered and protected for generations.

“In 2017, one Dr. Dan. Shere offered to purchase the land. However, his proposal was politely declined by the Plaintiffs due to the aforementioned cultural and spiritual attachment of the family to the said land.. Around the same time, the 3rd Defendant also expressed interest in acquiring the land as part of land for his Private University which he superintends under his 4th and 5th Defendant establishments but he received the same response from the Plaintiffs.

‘However, the 3rd Defendant did not want to take no for an answer from the Plaintiffs, Instead, driven by desperation, he devised various ploys to divide the family members and manipulate them into agreeing with him to sell the land to him.

“That despite the family’s resistance to a meeting with the 3rd Defendant, the 3rd Defendant persisted and eventually secured a meeting sometime between 2017 and 2019 with the Plaintiffs. There at the meeting, the Plaintiffs’ family stood their ground that they would not sell the land. In an attempt to placate the family, the 3rd Defendant wheedled them with a promise: either to buy a cow for appeasement of the family land, or to purchase another piece of land somewhere else as a replacement. Still in an attempt to persuade the family, he told them that a man can sell anything he owns, even emphasizing that he (the 3rd Defendant) could sell everything he owns except his wife and children.

However, the Plaintiffs’ family who would not give into his logic, responded to him that their attachment to the said land is akin to his devotion to his love for his wife and children. Exiting the meeting hall in a dramatic huff, the 3rd Defendant issued a final threat: “Mark my words, in less than a decade, this family will be crawling back to me, begging me to buy the land!”

“That just months after the contentious meeting, the Ekwegbe Youth intervened and prevented the 3rd Defendant from fencing off a large portion of the land. Undeterred, he attempted to acquire the land through the official channels by reporting the Plaintiffs’ family to the Ekwegbe General Assembly, claiming the family obstructed development of the Community.

“At a subsequent meeting convened by the General Assembly at the late Igwe N.B.T Ezeani’s Palace, both parties presented their cases. Finally, the General Assembly advised the 3rd Defendant to respect the Plaintiffs’ family’s clear decision and cease attempt to acquire the land.

“In spite of the advice, the 3rd Defendant continued pressing the Plaintiffs’ family for the land “that notwithstanding the above resolution, the 3rd Defendant successfully persuaded 1st Defendant to collaborate with 2nd Defendant to execute a temporary sale agreement of part of the said land to him. Both 1st and 2nd Defendants signed a document outlining the terms and acknowledging a partial payment of 5 million naira, serving as evidence of their arrangement.

“The family considers this deal dishonest. The Plaintiff pleads and shall found on a copy of the said agreement and hereby give the said Defendants to produce the original copy.

“The Plaintiffs state that from the beginning, the 3RD Defendant was informed that the land was not for sale. Furthermore, as a native of Nsukka familiar with its customs, the 3rd Defendant should be aware that, even if the land were available, the 1st and 2nd Defendants who are the young men the 3rd Defendant dealt with lacked the authority to sell the land or any part of it without the elders consent.

“Moreover, the agreed price of 400 thousand naira per plot significantly under values the land, which would be worth at least 3.5 million naira per plot if it were in the market.”

News

Nwifuru Sacks Ebonyi Works Commissioner

Published

34 minutes ago

September 19, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has removed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, from office with immediate effect.

The governor’s directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.

According to the statement, Mbam was directed to immediately hand over all government property in his possession, including his official vehicle, to the Secretary to the State Government.

He was also ordered to transfer the responsibilities of the Ministry of Works to the Permanent Secretary pending further directives from the state government.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has directed the immediate removal from office of the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam.

“He is to hand over all government property in his possession, including his official vehicle, to the Secretary to the State Government and transfer responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.”

The governor, according to the statement, assured residents that his administration remained committed to effective governance and improving public infrastructure across the state.

No reason was given for Mbam’s removal.

The development comes months after Nwifuru suspended Mbam and the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development and Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi-Abara, in February 2026 over alleged dereliction of duty.

The earlier suspension was also announced by Uzor, who directed the affected commissioners to surrender government property and official vehicles to the SSG.

Mbam’s latest removal has reportedly generated concern within the State Executive Council, particularly amid calls for improved performance by government officials.

Former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation under the administration of former Governor David Umahi, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, had recently called on Nwifuru to overhaul his State Executive Council and ensure that officials who were underperforming lived up to expectations.

The government has not indicated whether Mbam’s removal is connected to the earlier suspension or any specific issue concerning the Ministry of Works.

News

SEDC to Launch 50,000-Hectare Agro-Mechanisation Project in Enugu to Tackle Unemployment, Insecurity

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has concluded arrangement for the kick-off the zone-wide 50,000-hectare agro-mechanisation project in Enugu community meant to tackle insecurity, unemployment and food insecurity.

The SEDC zone-wide 50,000-hectare agro-mechanisation, which is meant to be established in each of the 15 senatorial zones of the five South-East states, would commence at a pilot scheme level on Sept. 22.

This is contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the Governor of Enugu State, Chief Uche Anichukwu, on Wednesday in Enugu.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Mr Mark Okoye, disclosed this during a community engagement at the pilot project site in Nomeh Unateze community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday.

Okoye said the SEDC had, following its establishment in 2024, used the first year to do extensive studies and design a blueprint that cuts across different areas of the South-East economy.

He said the agro-mechanisation projects, remained a major part of the commission’s blueprint, explaining that it would address insecurity, unemployment, and food security.

According to him, so, what we are here for is one of our flagship initiatives, which is called the South-East Agro Mechanisation Programme or the South East Agro Development Programme.

Okoye said that the SEDC was committed to develop up to 50,000 hectares of land and that would be used for mechanised farming across the region.

“We are here for a pre-assessment, pre-flag-off visit to see the area, understand the level of work that needs to be done and ensure that contractors can start mobilising so that once we hit the site we start running.

“Because a big part of what we are looking at is how to address food insecurity and unemployment, ensuring that we are producing what we put on the table.

“We are starting with pilot programmes where we are taking 200 to 300 hectares of farmland across 15 senatorial zones and developing them to standard farms.

“Where you not only have cassava, maize, some of our staple crops, but also some cash crops. In some areas, there will be the centres for learning and centres for productivity,” he said.

Okoye said that Gov. Peter Mbah would flag off the project on Tuesday, adding the SEDC team came to assess the area, meet with the community and ensurr that all the plans are in place.

“And within the second we put this investment here, at least N4 billion or N5 billion of added investment will come in,” he said.

Okoye commended President Bola Tinubu for addressing the long yearning by the South-East for a commission to mobilise resources and coordinate development in the region.

He urged the people to reciprocate the numerous gestures by supporting the Tinubu to continue the development efforts post 2027.

He further revealed that the commission would soon roll ou an investment agency to help mobilise local and Diaspora investments for the region’s speedy development.

A community leader in the community, Chief Uche Anichukwu, described the agro-mechanisation project as one of the blessings of the APC, Tinubu and Mbah administrations to Enugu State in general and Nomeh Unateze in particularly.

Anichukwu, who is also media aide to the Governor of Enugu State, said that the Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara road, with a spur to Oduma, had created ready and multiple access to market for the proposed agricultural project.

Speaking, Chairman, Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Dr Chukwudi Anyianuka, and other community stakeholders, reiterated their support for the project.

They commended Tinubu and Mbah for siting the project in their community.

“We are very happy. We cannot wait to see it actualised and we promise that we are going to provide everything that is necessary to make sure that this is established.

“The Commission has taken a methodical approach to regional development.

“Rather than the pitfall of throwing money at development challenges, it undertook a study of the region and came up with a master plan, which includes this initiative, to reinvent the South-East,” Anyianuka added.

Also present at the interactive session were the members of the traditional council of Nomeh Unateze and community heads.

News

Poor Lighting, Sanitation Frustrate Work At First Niger Bridge

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

…As Onitsha South Mayor Empowers Workers

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Maintenance and rehabilitation works at the recently closed First Niger Bridge are being hampered by poor lighting during night shifts and inadequate sanitary facilities at the site.

Recall that before the closure of the bridge, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, had disclosed that efforts would be made to carry out some of the rehabilitation works at night.

However, some of the workers at the site said poor lighting was affecting effective monitoring of activities on the bridge, while the poor sanitary condition of the area was also posing a threat to their health.

The workers made the complaints during a working visit to the bridge by the Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Orji.

Orji, who was accompanied by the Secretary of the Local Government, Barr. Paul Onuachalla, and executives of the Fegge Community Landlords/Tenants Welfare Association, led by its Chairman, Chief Nnamdi Onugha, provided cooked meals and packs of bottled water to the personnel and workers at the site.

Speaking after the visit, Orji said the gesture was aimed at supporting the workers and showing solidarity with the Federal Government’s rehabilitation efforts on the bridge.

He said, “To support the workers and give them a sense of belonging, that is why we came to appreciate them. We will continue doing so from time to time as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.”

The Mayor also disclosed that the council had provided facilities, including mobile toilets and water tanks, while arrangements were being made for water tankers to supply water to the tanks.

Orji further stressed the importance of the military presence in Onitsha South, noting that the personnel would contribute to security, rapid response and protection of the bridge, Onitsha South and parts of Ogbaru Local Government Area.

He added that the council would continue to strengthen its collaboration with security agencies to ensure maximum security across Onitsha South Local Government Area.

Earlier, after inspecting the environment with the Mayor, the Officer in Charge, who pleaded anonymity, identified poor lighting at the bridge at night as one of the major challenges confronting the personnel.

According to him, the situation makes it difficult to effectively monitor activities around the bridge, particularly during night shifts.

He also complained about the poor sanitary condition of the under-bridge environment where the personnel camp, saying they had to clean up the area themselves upon arrival.

The officer further appealed for improved accommodation and food support for the personnel.

He, however, commended the Mayor for the visit and assistance, saying the gesture made the workers feel appreciated.

“We feel loved and appreciated. We are happy seeing you around,” he said.

News

Dangote Reveals He Bought First Private Jet at 22

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he bought his first private jet at the age of 22 and a half.
Dangote made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos during the formal launch of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals on the Nigerian Exchange.
Reflecting on his business journey, the billionaire said he had enjoyed travelling by private jet over the years but was now comfortable using commercial flights.
He also urged wealthy Nigerians to channel more of their resources into productive investments rather than luxury assets.
Dangote particularly appealed to affluent Nigerians who spend huge sums on private aircraft to consider investing such wealth in industries and businesses that could contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“I try as much as I can to encourage people who are riding $900 million aircraft to please go and put that into production. We are not going to be a great nation without doing something productive,” he said.
He stressed that directing private wealth towards productive ventures would help strengthen the economy, create jobs and provide greater opportunities for national development.

News

Niger Delta Chamber Breaks Silence on Alleged Summit Trademark Dispute

Published

5 days ago

September 14, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has rejected claims that it appropriated or “stole” the idea of Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit from another organisation whose application was reportedly pending before the Federal Ministry of Trade.

NDCCITMA considers the allegation misleading and wishes to set the record straight.

The concept of Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit is a broad and widely recognised platform used globally to bring together government, the private sector, investors, businesses, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on economic growth and development. The use of the term “Economic Summit” does not, in itself, establish exclusive ownership of the concept by any individual or organisation.

More importantly, the chronology of events does not support the allegation being made against NDCCITMA.

While the said application was reportedly still pending before the Ministry of Trade as at September 2025, NDCCITMA had already gone through the appropriate processes and received approval from the Ministry of Trade in August 2025.

NDCCITMA did not rely on, copy, or appropriate the pending application of any other party in arriving at its name or identity

It is also important to distinguish between a concept and legally protected intellectual property, such as a registered trademark, proprietary material or other enforceable intellectual property right.

NDCCITMA remains committed to conducting its activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.Most importantly, in Suit No: FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026 filed on same subject matter in Portharcourt by the petitioner, the learned Judge had restrained the plaintiff from further interfering with the Summit being planned by the NDCCITMA. NDCCITMA will continue respect the rule of law

We therefore urge the public, stakeholders, the media to disregard any narrative unless such claims are supported by verifiable facts and relevant legal documentation.

NDCCITMA firmly rejects the allegation and maintains that its activities and identity were developed and pursued independently and through the appropriate regulatory channels.

The organisation remains focused on its mandate of promoting commerce, industry, trade, agriculture, investment and sustainable economic development across the Niger Delta region.

Signed:
Management
Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA)