News
Anambra Now Part Of National Rail Line Project As Tinubu Promises To Revive Onitsha River Port
By Okey Maduforo Awka
In what appears to be an endorsement of Gov Charles Soludo second term ambition President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has congratulated the governor for his massive infrastructural development in Anambra state since inception into office.
Similarly President Tinubu has promised to review the National Rail Line Project to include Anambra state as well as reviving the Onitsha River Port to allow batches to transport goods into Onitsha
This is coming as Gov Charles Soludo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA has endorsed the second term bid on the President recalling that APGA has always supported the ruling party at the center
Tinubu who was crowned by Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi and Chairman Anambra Traditional Rulers Council with a Chieftaincy tittle of Dike Si Mba Anambra ” made this disclosure during a one day working visit to Anambra state stated that;
“Today I have seen the solid foundation being laid by the government of Anambra state and I have just commissioned several land mark projects particularly the Solution Fun City, New Government House, Anambra Towers and the eight lane Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard as well as the the Dubai Taiwan Silicone Valley and these are master plans for infrastructural transformation and Human Capital Development ”
” With Soludo we can all work together to transform the vision of our country and we have solution because we have Soludo ”
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“Let me commend Soludo and the government of Anambra for the proactive efforts in improving security in the state and I wish to assure the South East of the assistance of the Federal government by partnering with the area”
Continuing Tinubu said that “we know that Anambra is the gully erosion Capital of Nigeria we promise to make ecological investments in Anambra state ”
“The South East also have huge gas deposit but was bye passed by the the National Rail Master Plan and I stand here to promise you that it would be reverted the Ministry of Transport would make the inclusion ”
“Also the Anambra – Kogi road would be made possible and completed and I agree that this will make the trip to Abuja easier and faster ” he said
Speaking earlier Gov Charles Soludo announced that it has been the tradition of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA to support the government at the center as well as the political party.
He also announced the endorsement of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for a second term in office noting that APGA being the first progressive political party in Nigeria shears the same progressive ideology with another progressive party the All Progressives Congress APC.
“Our support for President Tinubu is rooted in the history on the principles of progressivism and progressive ideology and in 2011 the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA supported the party that owns the government at the center and this has continued til date and I wish to announce that it has not changed ”
“And in the spirit of Awoism and Michael Okpara we share the same vision of true federalism which you Mr President fought at a very high cost from AD to AC to ACN and now APC and we as a party announce that we shall continue in that stade to support the party at the center” he promised.
President Tinubu arrived the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square at exactly 2. 35 pm amidst thundering cheers from the tumultuous crowd came in company of Former Secretary General of the Common Wealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Governor of Abia state Alex Otti, Minister for works Engr Dave Umahi, Sen Enyinniya Abaribe and Deputy Speaker Fedora House of Representatives Hon Benjamine Kanu .
Others include the Governor of Imo state Hope Uzodimma, Gov Peter Mba of Enugu state , Gov Eborewore of Delta state and Gov Dakpo Abiodun of Ogun state
Speaking at the occasion also , Deputy Governor of Anambra state and Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Chief Emeka Sibudu said
“Carry us along Mr President more than before and let us work together more than before in the area of insecurity and our Excellency sir we are dangerously challenged ”
“We believe that with this partnership we as the people of the South East would continue to give you support as you stem the challenges before the South East ” he said.
At his good will massage Chief Emeka Anyaoku noted that governing the pluralist complex of Nigeria is a very difficult task and we in Nigeria will continue to pray that you address the pluralistic status of our country ”
“I have confidence that your administration would address the insecurity and economic challenges of our country ”
Anyaoku further expressed the endorsement of Soludo for second term insisting that Gov Charles Soludo should come back to complete the good works he is doing in Anambra state adding that .
“We the people of Anambra state is happy that you honoured the invitation of the people of Anambra to come and commission the wonderful projects of our dear governor Prof Charles Soludo ” he said.
Also speaking the CEO of Chrome Oil And Gas Sir Emeka Offor say d that ‘Since Tinubu came into office the business men are happier because we are doing better”
“You went to Enugu state and commissioned projects irrespective of the fact that the governor doesn’t belong to your party ”
“Your Excellency the way you have shown your acceptance of the projects of Gov Charles Soludo shows that you have endorsed him already for second term and I Sir Emeka Offor would make sure that our governor will return come November 8th 2025”
“By the time our governor returns for his second term in office our governor would lead the pilot for your second term in office as President of Nigeria” he said.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with several major generals and brigadier generals redeployed to key command, operational and administrative positions.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Major General IA Ajose has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
Other notable appointments include:
Major General AE Abubakar — Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General AM Alechenu — Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha — Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar — Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
Major General UM Alkali — Director, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed — Director General, Nigerian Army Finance Corporation.
Major General JE Osifo — Chairman, Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong — Director of Engineering Services, Defence Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several brigadier generals, including Brigadier General AA Bello, Brigadier General MS Adamu, Brigadier General MS Sule, Brigadier General I Sule, Brigadier General E Azenda and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who have all been assigned to new command or administrative roles.
The Chief of Army Staff directed the newly posted officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
More than 24 feared dead in suspected poisoning incident in Ondo
More than 24 people have reportedly died following a suspected poisoning incident in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other residents affected by the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the incident but said he could not provide further details until medical experts conduct a professional assessment and determine the cause of the deaths and illnesses.
As a precaution, the local government has restricted the sale and consumption of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected communities.
Residents have been advised to avoid suspicious herbal mixtures, unverified sachet products and other substances of uncertain origin pending the outcome of medical examinations and laboratory tests.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning and confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Residents of Umudimishi Village, Umuoru, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the worsening menace of gully erosion allegedly caused by illegal and unregulated sand mining activities in the community.
The villagers said about 120 buildings are currently threatened by the expanding gully, with some residents already making arrangements to relocate for fear of losing their homes to the erosion.
In the petition addressed to Governor Soludo and copied to the state Ministries of Environment and Works, the villagers alleged that the activities of sand miners posed a serious threat to human lives, property and the continued existence of the community.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Umudimishi Development Union, Nze Ibeabuchi Umeugochukwu, stated that several homes in the area were located only a few metres from the mining sites and had consequently become vulnerable to erosion.
The villagers said: “Many homesteads in Umudimishi are close to and along the line of mining by few metres and, as a result, stand eroded in the course of this ecological problem fueled by unregulated sand mining.”
They further alleged that the erosion menace was largely triggered by human activities, particularly unregulated sand mining along the Aguata-Orumba axis, where they said the soil structure was highly susceptible to erosion.
According to them, “Erosion menace is being triggered by human factor of unregulated sand mining, especially as it is in Aguata-Orumba Axis where the sand structure is prone to erosion, which is the major environmental hazard in the region.”
The community also claimed that sand mining had become the major source of environmental crises affecting Umudimishi Quarter, Umuoru Village and Uga generally.
Beyond the environmental consequences, the villagers expressed concern that the availability of quick money from sand mining was discouraging youths from learning vocational skills.
They said many youths now preferred sand mining to acquiring skills, while the worsening erosion had also discouraged residents and prospective investors from establishing businesses in the area.
The villagers therefore appealed to Governor Soludo to permanently shut down the mining sites in Umudimishi to prevent further deterioration of the already deplorable environmental situation.
They also urged the governor to direct the appropriate agency of the Anambra State Government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion sites and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to tackle the problem and reclaim lands already lost to erosion.
The petitioners said urgent intervention by the state government was necessary to protect lives, homes and the remaining land in the community from further destruction.
News
Major Generals to Receive Up to ₦25.91m Yearly as Tinubu Approves New Military Pension Structure
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, effective September 1, 2026.
The approval was communicated in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Under the new structure, the highest-ranking officers—Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals—have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure is equivalent to about ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.
Other approved pensionable salary ranges include:
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals: ₦16.99m–₦25.91m annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98m–₦23.9m.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores: ₦13.86m–₦16.39m.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains: ₦8.31m–₦9.49m.
Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders: ₦7.55m–₦8.74m.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99m–₦7.01m.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28m–₦6.42m.
Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers: ₦4.92m–₦5.59m.
The new schedule also covers non-commissioned personnel. Warrant Officers have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen fall within the range of ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government, however, clarified that the figures are pensionable salaries used to calculate retirement benefits and should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
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