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Nsukka Traders protest, accuse LG Chair of extortion, threat to life, Call for Gov’s intervention

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By Chinenyeh Ozor
Uneasy calm enveloped Nsukka timber market, Enugu state weekend as unknown thugs allegedly invaded the market with guns and other weapons extorting several amounts of money in the name of Nsukka local government council.
Traders in the market numbering over 200 registered members expressed bitterness, worry over alleged imposition and extortion of money from it’s members on daily basis.
They also allege threat to life for failure to pay the outrageous amounts to the local government council.
The timber dealers in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu state took to the streets, chanting sorrowful solidarity songs with placards  demanding abolishment of the eight man caretaker committee instituted by Nsukka local government council chairman Engr. Chinedu Asogwa which has disturbed the existing peace in the market.
Speaking with journalists at the timber market, the chairman timber dealers association Chief Eze Ugochukwu said that Nsukka local chairman dissolved the elected executives of the timber market and imposed an eight man committee to oversee the affairs and activities of the market.
Chief Ugochukwu expressed dismay over the unannounced dissolution of the executives of the market, explaining that the market has been in peace over the years without any issues with the local government council.
“We never reneged in payment of taxes to both state and local government council. The chairman had earlier commended us for being in peace unlike other markets in the locality, only to turn around and dissolve the executives of the timber dealers association and placed his kinsmen as caretaker committee.
“We were at the verge of holding a peaceful election of the market slated for November 2024 when he struck and dissolved executives without any clear reasons. We have been in peace unlike other markets.
“We have tried to manage the situation in the market but the caretaker committee engage in extortion, threat to life for non compliance of illegal taxes in the name of Nsukka local government council to enrich themselves, collecting between N10,000 to N50,000 on daily basis per a trader.
“The caretaker committee harras, intimate traders with gun in other to extort money from members. We don’t know where they came from, they keep boasting that they are carrying the order of the local government council chairman” he noted
“We appeal to Enugu state governor Dr Peter Mbah to intervene and call Nsukka local government council chairman to order, allow the existing peace in the market to prevail and disband the caretaker committee. Most of our members no longer sleep in their homes due to threats to life. Since february 2025 the committee was imposed on us, we have not known peace, chasing traders with gun daily in other to extort money.
“We have resolved to take legal action since the council chairman keep deaf ears to our constitutional rights to peaceful market election and remove the caretaker committee imposed on the market which was the basis of the protest.
Also speaking Mr. Ugwuada Chukwuma said that the committee forcefully seal shops demanding unknown payment of N50,000 and above, pointing that the committee seized woods, carted away planks unless one pay N60,000 which is strange since the history of the market.
“I have been on the run since yesterday as they threaten my life and even called my family to ask me to comply or face the wrath of the local government council .
“We have never disagreed with the local and state governments on taxes, the institution and imposition of caretaker committee is strange and unheard of in the market. We pay taxes to Enugu state board of internal revenue and not to committee and groups that extort money to enrich themselves.”
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Tinubu Dissolves Committee on Sale of Federal Assets

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate dissolution of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on the Alienation of Federal Government Properties, ending the operations of a body that has overseen the privatisation, sale and lease of federal assets for more than two decades.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu directed that all matters relating to the committee’s activities will henceforth be handled by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The PIC was established in 2000 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to supervise the disposal of Federal Government landed assets under the monetisation policy.
The committee was chaired by the then Minister of Housing and comprised representatives of the Ministries of Transportation, Justice, Health and Agriculture, as well as the Nigeria Police Force. Professor P.T. Ahire served as its pioneer secretary, while members were drawn from both the public and private sectors.
The statement recalled that the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of a Panel of Inquiry on March 22, 2001, to produce a White Paper guiding the implementation of the committee’s recommendations. The panel worked for 21 months before submitting its report.
Explaining the decision, Onanuga said the Federal Government concluded that the committee had outlived its usefulness, as its activities had extended beyond its original mandate and resulted in multiple litigations across the country.
“After careful consideration, the Government has noted that the activities of the PIC had extended beyond its original mandate, resulting in multiple litigations across the country, and the continued existence of the Committee is no longer justified,” he said.
President Tinubu also directed that, with effect from November 5, 2025, all outstanding matters previously handled by the committee be coordinated by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In addition, the former Secretary of the committee, B. S. Dutsin-Ma, was directed to immediately cease acting on behalf of the dissolved committee and the Federal Government on related matters.
The Presidency said the move is aimed at streamlining the management of issues relating to the alienation of Federal Government properties under the supervision of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

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NPFL, Afrinvest push for digital revolution to drive club growth

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By Chinedu Sabastine

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Afrinvest have urged Nigerian clubs to embrace digital transformation, saying strong online presence, quality data and commercial partnerships are key to financial sustainability.

Speaking at a seminar for media and marketing officers of NPFL clubs in Enugu, NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owunmi, challenged clubs to improve their digital platforms or risk missing sponsorship opportunities.

To underscore the importance of data, Owunmi offered a ₦100,000 reward to any club with a functional website containing comprehensive statistics from the just-concluded season, including player profiles, goals, match records and attendance figures.

He lamented that many clubs either lack functional websites or operate platforms with little useful content, stressing that data and digital engagement have become major revenue drivers in modern football.

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“Our Gen Z audience lives online. If clubs are absent from the digital space, they cannot reach young fans, attract sponsors or benefit from e-commerce opportunities,” he said.

According to Owunmi, potential sponsors now demand audience and performance data before committing funds, but many clubs are unable to provide credible figures due to poor data generation.

He urged clubs to reduce dependence on government funding by strengthening their media and marketing departments, citing Rangers International’s ₦200 million sleeve sponsorship deal and other commercial partnerships as examples of what effective branding can achieve.

Owunmi also disclosed that from next season, the NPFL will introduce measurable digital benchmarks for clubs, including website functionality, quality content and social media engagement.

Afrinvest Manager, Emmanuel Eleojo, said the company’s partnership with Rangers International and the NPFL is anchored on its “Finance Meets Football” initiative, which promotes corporate investment in football.

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He said Afrinvest’s support for Rangers since 2023 has boosted youth development, led to the establishment of the club’s academy and contributed to two league titles in three seasons, while producing players for the national team.

“When finance meets football, we see growth. We see progress. We see trophies won,” Eleojo said.

One of the lead paper presenters at the seminar, Mr George Isitua-Onukwu, who spoke on ‘Monetising NPFL Clubs Through Marketing, Sponsorship and Brand Investment’, harped on the need for the clubs to adopt a clear and timed approach to branding and marketing.

According to him, NPFL sponsors report hesitation because clubs cannot yet guarantee the consistent visibility and production quality brands ask for.

“Clubs without a structured calendar for renewals, activation briefs, and reporting are, by definition, always reacting,” he further stated.

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The seminar brought together media and marketing officers from the 20 NPFL clubs to strengthen capacity in digital marketing, branding, content creation and data management aimed at improving the league’s commercial appeal.

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Abia 2027: Group backs Michael Chiemezuo for Isiala Ngwa South seat

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A socio-political organization, Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD), has lauded the sterling leadership qualities of Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa.

Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa is the Nigeria Democratic Congress State House of Assembly candidate for Isiala Ngwa South Constituency of Abia State

Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD), whose membership is drawn from the seventeen (17) local government areas of Abia State in a statement on Thursday, hailed
Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa’s resilience and commitment to nation-building and development.

The statement by the forum was signed by the Chairman, Surveyor Samuel Azubuike and Secretary General, Victor Mbanaso.

While noting that Dr Michael Chiemezuo ‘s invaluable contributions towards deepening democracy in Abia state and Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, Forum of Abia Democrats(FABD) also noted that Dr. Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa has remained unwavering in her pursuit of gender equality in the country.

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The pro-democracy forum further noted that Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo’s continued support for human empowerment, community development, and as well passion for good governance.

“Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa has remained committed to public service and also dedicated to the advancement of democratic values in Abia state and larger Nigeria. And this illustrious son of Abia state has continuously demonstrated his desire to contribute to societal building and development, having chaired and coordinated professional bodies effectively and efficiently.

Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD) therefore threw their weights behind Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa’s House of assembly bid, describing his recent emergence as the NDC State House of Assembly standard-bearer for Isiala Ngwa South state Constituency as a beginning of a new chapter of progress and purposeful leadership in Isiala Ngwa South.

The forum expressed confidence in the ability and capacity of Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa in driving even development and uplifting local communities across Isiala Ngwa South Constituency through attractions of government’s provision of critical infrastructural amenities and projects when elected into the Abia State House of Assembly come 2027.

According to the ethnic-nationality body, aside from attracting meaningful socio-economic and infrastructural projects across IIsiala Ngwa South Constituency, we believe Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa equally possessed the wherewithal to pursue and make impactful laws that strengthen all statutory and relevant institutions of democratic governance in Abia State.

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“Dr Prince Michael Chiemezuo has remained a defender of justice and advocate for the rights and welfare of average Nigerians.

“The confidence and widespread acceptance he enjoy among the electorates in isiala Ngwa South state constituency will turn into electoral victory for NDC in the coming general election next year,”the forum noted.

Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD) pledged to rally bulk votes for NDC State House of Assembly Candidate, Dr. Prince Michael Chiemezuo Agrippa to ensure his total victory in the upcoming election in 2027 in isiala Ngwa South Constituency by the independent national electoral commission (INEC).

The southeast forum also used the medium to call on all eligible Nigerian citizens to participate in the ongoing nationwide voters registration exercise by INEC, so as to enable them exercise their franchise in next year’s general election in the country.

“Every eligible imo citizens should ensure it register and collect their permanent voters cards (PVC), because, it is the only weapon and power vested on citizens by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to effect a change in government, and vote in credible people to mount leadership saddle in all levels in the country,”They stated.

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Use only official passport, visa websites, NIS tells Nigerians, foreigners

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The Nigeria Immigration Service has warned Nigerians and foreigners to use only its official online platforms for passport and visa applications, stressing that it has not authorised any religious organisation, private entity or individual to collect payments on its behalf.

The Service stated this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.

According to the NIS, the only authorised platform for passport payments by Nigerians, both within the country and in the diaspora, is its official passport portal.

It added that foreigners seeking Nigerian visas should use only its official visa portal for embassy applications or the designated e-visa portal for electronic visa applications.

It said, “The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to reiterate that the only authorised platforms for passport payments for Nigerians (at home and in diaspora) is https://passport.immigration.gov.ng.

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“For foreigners wishing to apply for visa, https://visa.immigration.gov.ng (for visa at the Embassy) and https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng (for e-visa) are the official links.

“At no time has the Service partnered with or authorised any religious organisation, private entity or individual to act as intermediary or receiving account on its behalf,” the statement read.

The NIS urged applicants who require clarification or assistance with passport or visa applications to contact its verified communication channels.

It listed its official X accounts as @nigimmigration and @InquireAtNaija, while its verified Facebook and Instagram handles are @nigimmigration.

The Service also provided WhatsApp numbers 09160878000 and 09117717772 for enquiries and support.

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The statement reiterated the Service’s commitment to ensuring secure and transparent passport and visa application processes, urging the public to avoid fraudulent intermediaries.

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US to stop routine visa processing at Abuja embassy, 24 other African missions

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The United States has announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa will end from August 1, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring of its overseas consular operations.

The US Department of State said the move is aimed at centralising routine visa services in regional hubs to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.

In a statement on the US Department of State website on Wednesday, the department said the reorganisation aligns with the President Donald Trump’s administration’s priority of placing America’s interests and security first.

“The Department of State is constantly evaluating its overseas operations in order to advance America’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible. This includes a visa process that maintains rigorous standards of security screening and vetting and aligns resources and operational capacity with America’s national interests.

“The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans, and the State Department will continue to provide Americans with appropriate consular services and assistance at diplomatic posts around the world,” the statement read.

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Besides Abuja, the affected diplomatic posts are located in Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek.

The State Department, however, clarified that the change affects only routine visa processing and does not alter the operational status of the embassies and consulates involved.

It also emphasised that all diplomatic missions will continue to provide consular services and carry out their regular functions on behalf of the United States.

The department further assured travellers that the policy does not invalidate visas that have already been issued.

The United States periodically reviews its global diplomatic operations to reallocate resources and streamline consular services.

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Under the new arrangement, applicants in countries affected by the policy are expected to access routine visa services through designated regional processing hubs, while embassies and consulates continue to provide other diplomatic and consular assistance.

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