News
Enugu: Ex Commissioner begins building of Perm Site of Ugwogo Market
Geo–Squaremeter Innovative Limited, one of Nigeria’s innovative Real Estate, Surveying and Civil Engineering Companies which has Dr. Surv. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam as their principal consultant has begun the construction of the permanent site of Orie Ugwogo market, Ugwogo, Enugu East local government area.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new market, Dr. Nnam who was a former Commissioner for lands in Enugu state said the proposed structure is a signature project of Enugu East local government council under the chairmanship of Livinus Anike in partnership with Umunonu-Umuezeani, Ugwogo Nike and Geo-Squaremeter innovative ltd.
He said the new market sits on a 20 hectares of land with six zone and will have the basic amenities needed in a place of commerce such this.
“The market will be in six zones to meet the structure of a modern market. These zones include the lorry park and warehouses; services and general goods; livestock market; building materials market; foodstuff market and timber market.
“We are going to provide good access road within the market, well reticulated water, convenience, car park and transformer for each of the zones.
Dr. Nnam further assured that working with his team of experts, they will ensure that the approved prototype by the council is followed to the later while calling on investors to invest in the shop as they’re sure of getting value for their money
He added that the project which is a public private partnership between the council, the community and the developer will be delivered in 24 months and they hope that the market will transform from the current every 4 days market to daily market as over 7,000 shops will be made available in the new market.
In his speech, the council chairman, Hon, Anike said the movement of the market to a permanent place is long overdue as their current space no longer accommodates the fast-expanding market leading to serious traffic for the people of Isiuzo going to their homes.
The council Boss said the project is very dear to him as it resonates to the ease of doing business preached by the current administration led by His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah.
He also commended the developer, Dr. Nnam for prioritizing the interest of the people in the development of the market and called on both the host and neighbouring communities to take ownership of the market, while encouraging them to always be united so that the market can bring the desired prosperity to them.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Traditional ruler of Ugwogo Nike, Igwe Barr. Emeka Ugwu said that the neighbouring villages will retain their spots as it’s in the temporary site and thanked the council chairman and the developer for their efforts in seeing that the project sees the light of the day.
Similarly, Chief Joseph Agbo Ugwumba, one of the leaders of host community, who went down memory lane, said that “the very important and popular ORIE market of Ugwogo Nike has really come a long way, even in the days of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war this market held sway and met a great need. And so, its astronomical growth was not unexpected thus necessitating the need for expansion and a suiting or befitting site.
He said their community is delighted with the project and ready to ply their role to see to the completion of the project
“I am elated to welcome you all as we break the ground for a new and permanent site of the ORIE market in Ugwogo Nike. The clan Umunonu-Umuezeani is happy to be a part of this project, without doubt we are joyfully committed to seeing to its completion and commissioning knowing fully that our significant donation of the land situate is not in vain.
“All of us stakeholders and the citizens of Ugwogo Nike look forward to the immense benefits and progress this new permanent site will bring to everyone, Ugwogo Nike and Enugu State of Nigeria.”
Also, in his remark, the chairman peace and development committee, Rt. Hon. Donatus Agbodo said that the growing population made it inevitable for the market to be moved to a more suitable permanent place, adding that they have also lost lives due to the growing demands of the market.
He also thanked the Chairman for being brave enough to do what his predecessors couldn’t do as well as fulfilling his campaign promise to their people.
“We thank you Mr. Chairman for your braveness and progressive mind you have shown in making this dream a reality. It was a promise you made during your campaign as you promise to enhance human capital development in Enugu East. We the people of Umunonu Umuezeani and Ugwogo-Nike in general have received our own share in your administration drive towards reducing poverty in Enugu East Local Government Area, this market will alleviate poverty among our people.”
Other speakers such as the president general of Ugwogo Nike, Pius Okeanu and Mrs. Theresa Edeonu hailed that new project and urged their people to be very accommodative and thanked both the council chairman and the developer for the initiative.
The outbreak is said to have spread across several ISWAP enclaves, exposing worsening sanitary conditions and the dwindling availability of medical care within the insurgents’ camps.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, citing intelligence sources familiar with the situation.
According to the sources, two other ISWAP fighters who contracted the highly infectious disease were allegedly executed by members of the group after efforts to treat them in Kimba village proved unsuccessful.
The incident is believed to reflect the increasingly difficult conditions inside the terrorist camps, where sustained military offensives have disrupted supply routes and severely limited access to medicines, healthcare and other essential resources.
Intelligence sources said the combination of poor hygiene, inadequate medical facilities and mounting operational pressure has left many of the insurgents vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
The sources further disclosed that military commanders have been advised to intensify efforts to intercept medical supplies and pharmaceutical products suspected of being destined for terrorist hideouts. Security officials believe cutting off access to healthcare supplies could further weaken ISWAP’s ability to treat injured or sick fighters and reduce the group’s operational capacity.
While the reports have not been independently verified, the development is seen as another indication of the mounting challenges facing the insurgent group as security forces continue sustained operations across the North-East.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a shared post on his verified X handle, Onanuga simply announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks.
During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The incident had triggered weeks of public anguish, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
Reactions have trailed to trail the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 following recent welfare reforms by the Federal Government.
Veterans and serving personnel have described the amount as grossly inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living, while some accused the Federal Government of failing to implement a more substantial salary review promised months ago.
The criticism comes amid renewed concerns over troop welfare, military funding, and the effectiveness of efforts to boost morale among personnel battling insecurity across the country.
A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, argued that the current salary falls far short of what is needed to meet basic living expenses.
“It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 in the current situation of the country? It cannot go far. They should do better. If soldiers are paid more, they will be more motivated and committed to their duties,” he said.
Another retired military officer, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned the accuracy of the figure disclosed by the minister and described the amount as inadequate for personnel who risk their lives in service to the nation.
“I doubt if they are even paying up to that amount now. Even if they are, it is too little. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 in today’s economy is not serious enough about the welfare of its troops,” he said.
Williams noted that soldiers face enormous challenges and deserve better remuneration and working conditions.
Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, said the salary does not reflect the sacrifices made by military personnel.
“How can that be sufficient for someone putting his life on the line for the country? Consider the cost of food, housing, transportation, and children’s education. N100,000 is far from adequate for those responsible for protecting the nation’s peace and security,” he stated.
The reactions followed comments by the Minister of Defence during an interview with News Central, where he disclosed that the minimum monthly salary of soldiers had increased from N49,000 to N100,000 under the current administration.
According to the minister, the Federal Government has made deliberate efforts to improve troop welfare despite funding challenges facing the military.
“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said.
Musa, however, acknowledged that the defence sector remains underfunded and requires greater financial support to effectively address the country’s security challenges.
The minister also advocated stricter penalties for kidnapping, including the possibility of introducing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that stronger deterrents are necessary to curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.
The debate over soldiers’ welfare comes at a time when the military continues to confront multiple security threats, with stakeholders insisting that improved remuneration, better equipment, and enhanced welfare packages are critical to boosting morale and operational effectiveness.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that travellers in the United States seeking Nigerian visas must now submit their applications directly at Nigerian diplomatic missions following the termination of its contract with a third-party visa processing company.
The new directive, which takes immediate effect, ends the role previously played by Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), which had been responsible for receiving and processing Nigerian visa applications through its centres across the United States.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said visa applicants are now required to submit their documents directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta until further notice.
The immigration service did not state the reason for ending its partnership with OIS Services.
However, Akinlabi assured applicants that adequate measures have been put in place at the embassy and consulates to ensure a smooth transition. He added that visa submission, processing and approval would continue without disruption.
He also urged prospective travellers to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.
A Professor of Economics and Governance, Prof. Chiwuike Uba, has called on South African Government to take active responsibility of protecting foreigner and desist from ‘compromising inaction’.
Uba, Chairman of the ACUF Initiative for Policy and Governance, made the call on Thursday in Enugu in a statement he titled: “South Africa Is Playing with Fire, and Its Elites Are Holding the Match”.
He said that the lack of intentional action against the individuals and groups perpetrate the xenophobic attacks, who are non-state actors, raises serious questions under international law.
The don noted that “protection of non-nationals is a clear obligation, not a discretionary act.”
According to him, persistent failure to uphold this responsibility undermines both legal commitments and diplomatic credibility.
Uba said that the implications of the development extend far beyond South Africa, adding that it would have economically, politically and diplomatically consequences both to the country and Africa in general.
He noted that economically, the country is not just another market.
“It is a continental anchor. Its financial systems, industrial base, and regional linkages make it central to African growth.
“Prolonged instability would ripple outward, constraining trade, deterring investment, and weakening regional integration,” he said.
On the Political aspect, he said that South Africa had long been seen as a model of democratic transition and constitutionalism.
“If that model begins to fracture, it sends a powerful signal across the continent.
“It emboldens those who argue that institutional democracy cannot deliver, and it weakens reformist voices elsewhere,” he said.
Uba said that diplomatically, xenophobic violence is not a domestic issue when it targets foreign nationals.
He said, “It is an international concern that tests regional solidarity and diplomatic patience.
“Each episode forces other African governments to respond, balancing domestic outrage with the need to preserve bilateral relations.”
The don noted that over time, the balance in the country would becomes harder to maintain as non-state actors would be emboldened to perpetrate other unlawful acts as they view the government as weak or inactive.
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