Category: News

The Executive Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Pastor Beloved Dan Obinna Anike, has congratulated members of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) across Nike and Emene deaneries on the occasion of the 2026 Mothering Sunday, describing women as the backbone of society and drivers of community development.
In a goodwill message addressed to the women, Anike commended their invaluable contributions to family life, spiritual growth, and economic advancement, noting that Mothering Sunday is not only a celebration but also a recognition of the sacred role women play as nurturers and preservers of values.
“Across generations, mothers have remained the quiet force behind the stability and progress of our society,” he said. “In the social sphere, you raise families and build communities; in the spiritual realm, you serve as pillars of faith; and in the economic space, you continue to demonstrate resilience and enterprise.”
The council boss reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women empowerment, emphasizing that the strength of any society is rooted in the strength of its women. He disclosed that the local government has developed a Family Economic Empowerment Strategy designed to place women at the center of development initiatives.
According to him, the strategy includes the Women Cooperative Revolving Scheme, aimed at providing financial access and structured support for women-led businesses, as well as a long-term investment in girl-child education with a projected ₦3 billion commitment over the next decade.
Anike also highlighted recent interventions by his administration, including the distribution of 10,000 wrappers to women and 10,000 bags of rice to households during the Yuletide season, describing them as preliminary steps toward broader empowerment programmes.
He further announced plans to officially launch and flag off a dedicated empowerment fund on June 16, 2026, as part of efforts to deepen support for women across the local government.
The chairman called for sustained collaboration with organizations such as the Catholic Women Organization, stressing that partnerships with faith-based and community groups would help drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.
“Your sacrifices are seen, your prayers are heard, and your impact is immeasurable. You are the heartbeat of our homes and the foundation of our future,” he stated.
He concluded by wishing all mothers a happy Mothering Sunday, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to policies that strengthen families and promote shared prosperity.

The Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Obiora Obeagu, has commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for what he described as unprecedented strides in security, as he hosted over 500 Forest Guards from the Enugu-East Senatorial Zone.
Obeagu spoke on Wednesday at the council headquarters in Ikem while receiving the Forest Guards recently trained under the state’s revamped security architecture.
He credited the Mbah administration with bold interventions that have significantly improved safety across Enugu State, citing the dismantling of illegal sit-at-home enforcement, the establishment of a Command and Control Centre, the Distress Response Squad (DRS), and the operationalisation of the State Security Trust Fund.
The council boss also highlighted key infrastructure projects with security implications, including the 21.7-kilometre Ogbete-Agu Mgbuji road, alongside the procurement of patrol vehicles and deployment of digital surveillance systems.
Obeagu particularly praised the restructuring of the Forest Guards system, describing it as a strategic move to secure forests and rural communities.
He noted that the appointment of Akinbayo Olasoji as Commander of the Forest Guards demonstrates the governor’s commitment to excellence and national inclusiveness.
The chairman urged the personnel to justify the government’s investment in their training through discipline and dedication.
“I urge you to shun absenteeism and dereliction of duty, which not only shortchanges the system but endangers the lives and property of our people—our fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters,” he said.
He further reminded them of their responsibility as part of government’s core mandate to protect lives and property, stressing that their conduct would directly impact public confidence in the security system.
Obeagu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the state government, the Forest Guards, and other security agencies to strengthen safety across the council area.
The Forest Guards, drawn from the Enugu-East zone, commended the chairman for his support, mentorship, and hospitality, pledging their commitment to duty and the overall security objectives of the state.

Enugu—The Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, has led the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Enugu East Women Cooperative Empowerment & Endowment Fund (W-CEEF) and Umuchinemere Pro-Credit Microfinance Bank.

Speaking at the ceremony, Anike described the initiative as a bold and forward-looking intervention aimed at expanding economic opportunities for women across the council area.

He said the programme, which targets over ₦5 billion in funding within the next decade, is designed to empower women-led enterprises, strengthen cooperative structures, and drive inclusive economic growth.

According to the chairman, the initiative is already positioned for immediate impact, with more than 200 women cooperatives across Enugu East profiled and ready to benefit from the scheme.

“This is not just about signing a document—it is about signing a future,” Anike stated, noting that the vision of the programme is to ensure that every woman, regardless of background or location, has access to finance and economic dignity.

He emphasised that the partnership with Umuchinemere Pro-Credit Microfinance Bank is strategic, as the institution brings the financial expertise, operational systems, and accountability required to ensure transparency and sustainability.
Anike further stressed the importance of collaboration, noting that while government provides policy direction, meaningful impact depends on strong institutional partnerships.

Beyond access to finance, the W-CEEF programme will include a dedicated grant window to support women’s education and specialized skills acquisition in key sectors such as healthcare, digital technology, agro-processing, and enterprise development.

The chairman also highlighted the programme’s inclusive approach, stating that it will be extended to women in urban, rural, peri-urban, and hard-to-reach communities across Enugu East.

In addition, he noted that the initiative incorporates support for the girl-child through education, mentorship, and leadership development pathways.
Stakeholders at the event expressed confidence that the partnership would create a sustainable framework for women’s empowerment and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Enugu East.

The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to ensure effective implementation and long-term impact of the programme.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Awka, the ancient capital of Anambra State, is currently experiencing heightened tension following the defiance of Ozo Austin Ndigwe to a government directive ordering him to stop parading himself as Eze Uzu III of Awka Kingdom.

Ndigwe, accompanied by a convoy of police officers on dispatch riders and some titled men of Awka, drove through several streets in the town before attending a memorial service for the parents of Chukwukadibia Obiakor.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Ndigwe was seen moving in a convoy while supporters hailed and praised him as “Ezeuzu III” of Awka Kingdom.

A statement shared on his Facebook page read:

“His Imperial Majesty, Obi Dr. Chukwuezugo Austin Ndigwe, MON, JP, Ezeuzu III of Awka Ancient Kingdom, felicitated with Lt. Gen. Chukwukadibia Obiakor at the memorial service of their parents, held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Umudioka Village, Awka.

At the same time, Obi Ezeuzu Awka paid a condolence visit to one of his cabinet chiefs, Akadiana n’Amikwo Awka, over the death of his wife, and also visited his former cabinet chief member (Akwudolueze) of Otochali Achalla-Orji Village, Nkwelle Awka.

Long live Ezeuzu Awka III.

Long live Awka Naso Enwe.

Long live Anambra State.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed,

Ezeuzu-in-Council.”

However, the Anambra State Government had earlier declared that Obi Gibson Nwosu is the authentic traditional ruler of Awka town and directed Ndigwe to cease parading himself as monarch.

The directive was conveyed in a White Paper presented to the Awka Town Union by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke, acting on behalf of the state authorities.

The document clarified the succession framework of the Awka Kingdom, stating that after the reigns of Ezeuzu I from the Ifite section and Ezeuzu II from the Ezi section, subsequent rulers are to emerge in order of seniority from designated quarters, including Nkwelle, Amachalla na Ato, Agulu, and Ifite Awka.

According to the government, Ndigwe is not the traditional ruler of Awka, and his claim to the Ezeuzu stool is unlawful.

The White Paper is widely seen as a decisive move to end years of dispute over the revered stool, providing legal and administrative clarity to the traditional leadership structure in Awka.

Governor Charles Soludo had on several occasions warned Ndigwe to desist from parading himself as monarch, without success.

This led to the constitution of the Justice Paul Obidigwe Panel to investigate the matter, which ultimately affirmed Nwosu as the authentic traditional ruler.

The government’s White Paper now stands as the final authority on the issue, serving as a definitive directive to Ndigwe to cease further claims to the throne.

By Chinedu Sabastine
Pensioners and staff of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Enugu State have called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene over the alleged resale of 90 plots of land belonging to them at Uhuagu, Obeagu-Uno in Enugu South.
The aggrieved workers, who staged a peaceful protest at the site, accused one Pius Ugwu and his son, Ebuka, of reselling the land to suspected grabbers despite an existing court injunction.
They explained that the land was purchased in 2017 through an estate agent, Lion of Judah, who reportedly acquired it from Ugwu, stressing that all payments and documentation were duly completed.
Spokesman of the group, Venerable Emeka Agana, alleged that the disputed land has been forcefully taken over, with fences and structures demolished in defiance of a subsisting court order.
“We paid all fees, including development levies to the community. We have valid documents. The sellers are not denying the transaction, yet they have continued to resell the land,” he said.
Agana lamented that many of the victims are pensioners and widows who invested their life savings or obtained loans to acquire the plots.
He urged the state government to urgently intervene and help them recover their property.
The protesters also warned prospective buyers to steer clear of the land, noting that the matter remains pending in court.

Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL) has raised serious concern over the growing incidence of meter bypass and other forms of energy theft across Ebonyi State, disclosing that over 300 confirmed cases—backed by detailed inspection reports as well as pictorial and video evidence—were uncovered during monitoring and enforcement operations carried out in the first quarter of 2026.
The development was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by the Head, Communications, EEDL, Mrs. Patience Ezeagu.
According to the statement, the cases were identified following intensified inspection exercises conducted by the company’s technical and commercial teams across Ebonyi State as part of ongoing efforts to protect electricity infrastructure and improve service delivery.
She strongly condemned meter bypass and energy theft, describing the practice as illegal, dangerous, and detrimental to sustainable electricity supply.
“Meter bypass and energy theft are criminal acts that sabotage the power sector, damage critical infrastructure, and deprive honest customers of quality power supply. Electricity facilities are shared community assets, and when individuals tamper with meters or steal energy, entire communities suffer outages and equipment failures,” Ezeagu said.
She noted that energy theft contributes significantly to transformer overload, frequent power interruptions, increased operational costs, and safety hazards, including fire outbreaks and electrocution.
Ezeagu also condemned reported incidents where some customers allegedly attacked or obstructed EEDL field personnel during inspection activities.
She emphasized that EEDL remains committed to supporting economic growth and development in Ebonyi State through improved energy distribution and network enhancement.
“EEDL has come to partner with the people and government of Ebonyi State to drive development through reliable electricity supply. However, no electricity business can survive or sustain improvement efforts if energy theft continues unabated. Responsible energy use is essential for progress,” she added.
The company disclosed that customers found culpable have been issued penalty charges in line with existing electricity regulations, while further enforcement measures—including disconnection and possible prosecution—may be applied where necessary.
EEDL also announced that monitoring and surveillance operations have been intensified across the state and advised customers currently involved in meter bypass or unauthorized connections to desist and immediately regularize their electricity supply to avoid sanctions.
The company appealed to residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at combating energy theft by reporting suspicious electricity activities within their communities.
EEDL reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient electricity services while protecting the interests of law-abiding customers across Ebonyi State.