Category: News

At least three persons have been confirmed dead following a tragic motor accident at the notorious Onyeama Hills axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway on Saturday morning.
The crash involved multiple vehicles, including a black Toyota Sienna bus conveying journalists on an official assignment to Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Several occupants of the bus, including crew members from the African Independent Television (AIT) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Among the injured are NTA reporter and Chairman of the NTA Chapel, Chimaroke Ugwu, his cameraman Gerald Ugwuanyi, as well as AIT reporter and Secretary of the Private Broadcast Chapel, Kelechi Ekeledo, and his cameraman Ifeanyi Ogbodo.
Sources said the identities of those who died had yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police were at the scene conducting rescue operations.
The Onyeama Hills stretch of the highway is widely known as a high-risk zone due to its steep terrain and frequent accidents.
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu Council, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, sympathised with affected members and expressed gratitude that no journalist lost their life.
He also decried the recurring fatalities along the Ugwu Onyeama axis and called for the speedy completion of ongoing reconstruction work on the road to help prevent further tragedies.
Authorities say investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with more details expected to be released.

Ozo title holders in Awka have thrown their weight behind the outcome of the panel set up by Chukwuma Soludo, reaffirming Obi Gibson Nwosu as the Eze Uzu II of Awka Kingdom.
Speaking during a meeting in Awka, the group, led by its President, Ozo James Chukwujekwu Eze, said it supports the panel’s findings but is awaiting the release of the government’s White Paper before making a formal declaration of full solidarity.
He stressed that the Ozo society would not act in opposition to constituted authority, noting that the body remains united and committed to aligning with the state government once the White Paper is issued.
“As of now, we have not seen the White Paper. When it is published, we will abide by it. It is not in our character to fight the government,” he said.
Eze described the protracted chieftaincy dispute in Awka as unfortunate, lamenting that what began as a minor issue escalated into a prolonged crisis. He, however, assured that the Ozo society would continue to promote peace and unity in the community.
The panel of inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Paul Obidigwe, submitted its report after weeks of deliberations, during which 32 memoranda were reviewed and 28 oral testimonies taken.
The panel concluded that Gibson Nwosu was not lawfully dethroned, stating that there were no valid grounds for his removal and that he was denied fair hearing, rendering the action invalid and of no legal effect.
It also ruled that another claimant, Chief Austin Ndigwe, was not properly selected, describing his emergence as a breach of due process and statutory provisions.
Receiving the report, Governor Soludo said the government would study its recommendations and issue a White Paper. He noted that the state initially allowed the community to resolve the matter internally but intervened after being invited.
The governor emphasized that law and order must prevail, adding that no community in Anambra State would be allowed to have more than one traditional ruler, and maintained that in resolving the dispute, there is “no victor and no vanquished.”

By Chinedu Sabastine
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says its ongoing reforms are strengthening the nation’s economy, enhancing resilience against external shocks and restoring investor confidence.
Speaking at the CBN Special Day during the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, said the Bank has implemented bold and far-reaching policies aimed at stabilising the economy.
She explained that the reforms, under the leadership of CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, have improved transparency and liquidity in the foreign exchange market. She added that the introduction of a new FX manual has simplified trade and investment procedures.
According to her, the reform agenda aligns with the theme of the trade fair, “Empowering MSMEs for Global Competitiveness,” recognising Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as critical drivers of economic growth, employment and resilience.
Ali disclosed that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise, with a deadline of March 31, 2026, is already yielding positive results, noting that 32 banks had met the new capital requirements as of March 17, 2026.
She added that about 28 per cent of recapitalisation investments came from foreign investors, reflecting renewed confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
The CBN spokesperson further revealed that the Bank is transitioning to an inflation-targeting framework, describing it as a shift toward a more transparent, forward-looking and rules-based monetary policy system designed to ensure long-term price stability.
She noted that the reforms have earned the apex bank global recognition, including the Central Bank of the Year 2026 award by the Central Banking Awards Committee in London.
On economic performance, Ali said the Bank’s tight monetary policy has helped reduce headline inflation from 34.8 per cent in late 2024 to 15.06 per cent as of February 2026.
She also disclosed that capital inflows increased significantly between 2023 and 2025, while external reserves rose from less than $10 billion to $50.45 billion.
Ali outlined the Bank’s strategic priorities for 2026 to include strengthening the banking system, ensuring price stability, modernising payments, promoting financial inclusion, fostering responsible fintech innovation and enhancing institutional capacity.
She reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to transparency and urged Nigerians to rely only on official communication channels for information about its policies.
Ali also called on citizens to treat the naira with respect, warning against acts such as mutilation, counterfeiting and spraying of the currency.
Earlier, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, commended the CBN for reactivating and sustaining the use of trade fairs to disseminate information and raise awareness about its operations.
He said the initiative would enhance public understanding of the Bank’s financial and monetary policies, describing it as commendable.
Onyemelukwe also applauded the CBN’s policy measures aimed at rebuilding business confidence and ensuring stability in the financial sector.
He, however, cautioned that key policy measures—particularly those targeting inflation and exchange rate stability through aggressive monetary tightening—should not become counterproductive.
While acknowledging the recent reduction in the interest rate from 27.0 per cent to 26.5 per cent in February 2026, he expressed concern that the rate remains high. He called for a gradual reduction to single digits to support economic growth.
He further urged the CBN to intensify efforts to manage inflation and liquidity, warning that the high interest rate environment could constrain businesses by limiting access to credit.
If you want, I can also craft a stronger headline or a shorter newswire version.

Against the background of Nigeria’s deteriorating electric power crisis, a leading Nigerian energy expert, Professor Bart Nnaji, has outlined a number of measures he says the country has to take immediately to arrest the situation.

Delivering the 30th, 31st and 32nd graduation lecture of the Abia State University at Uturu today, Professor Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, outlined the steps as the restoration of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) between electricity firms and the Federal Government which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration suspended, the payment of the N6.8trillion owed the power generation firms and the over N200 billion owed distribution companies, and allowing DisCos to charge cost-reflective tariffs.

Others are building a national super grid of 765KV and decentralizing its operations so that a fault in one networked plant, for instance, would not cause a national blackout, and the development of Nigeria’s 210 trillion cubic foot of natural gas since 75% of the nation’s electricity is thermal.

Professor Nnaji, also a former Minister of Science and Technology who now leads the Geometric Power that drives the Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP), also advocated that DisCos be encouraged to have embedded generation firms, greater official attention to DisCos which he said have been neglected more than other segments of the electricity value chain, and a review of the coverage areas by each distribution firm to make them more agile.

Drawing examples from India, China, Brazil, Egypt, and the United States, Nnaji noted that practically “each industrializing nation adds to the stock of its quantum of electricity every year”, contrasting it with Nigeria that “has not built a new power plant in the last 12 years except the 451MW Azura-Edo Power Plant in Edo State and the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba, Abia State”.

The former minister, who had a storied career in the United States as a world-class scientist and research engineer, argued that people would not invest in new power plants without a financial instrument like the World Bank-backed Partial risk guarantee (PRG) to provide investors comfort.

“This is because it is exceedingly expensive to invest in power generation”, he told the university community that interrupted his speech intermittently with applause.

“It costs about $1.3m to construct one megawatt gas-fired plant, which is the cheapest in the country, as solar, wind, and hydroelectric technologies cost more”.

He added that investors would like to know how they could recoup their heavy and long-term investments, and the PGR is about the only realistic instrument to provide comfort to them.

He challenged the notion that investors would like to sign such PRGs with state governments following the implementation of the 2023 Electricity Act that permits subnational entities to regulate power generation, transmission, and distribution in their domains.

The state governments have limited financial capabilities, he explained.

Prof Nnaji pointed out that even if the federal authorities reversed the suspension of the PPAs today and work commenced immediately on the construction of a new plant, it would take at least three years to complete it, meaning that Nigeria would be one of the few countries in the world that would not expand its quantum of electricity in over 15 years.

Commending the Federal Government for setting up a 19-man committee headed by the President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff to, among other things, accelerate the recovery of some stranded 1,600MW within two years, the Geometric Power chairman remarked that Nigeria needs 100,000MW to become a higher-medium economy by 2040, referring to the 30,000MW suggested by the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by 2030 as unrealistic.

He said an electricity-hungry nation like the United States would do everything possible to increase its electricity by all means, including reembracing coal-fired plants in the face of power demand unleashed by generative AI data centres, comparing it to the return of coal plants by European countries in the wake of the energy crisis occasioned by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that forced the European Union to impose sanctions on Moscow.

Nnaji lauded the Federal Government for returning to the 765KV Super Grid he convinced the Goodluck Jonathan administration to approve in 2012 but was abandoned after he resigned the same year over the manner of the privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets.

He advocated its regionalization in technical terms rather than in the geopolitical sense, so that “a fault in one remote part of Nigeria would not lead to a nationwide outage, as is the case currently”.

The energy expert said that though his firm does not benefit from Federal Government’s subsidy payments to power firms, he “strongly supports the payment so that the power sector won’t collapse”.

He referred to the DisCos in Ibadan, Benin, and Yola as examples of power distributors covering unwieldy geographical areas, calling for their review.

He said, in contrast, Aba Power covers only nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State which he said enabled it the utility to operate in an agile manner.

Among the distinguished guests at the lecture who commended Professor Nnaji for the lecture which they described as a tour de force are the Chairman of the Abia State University Governing Council, the Hon Agwu A. Agwu, the ABSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. OKeudo, and the Special Adviser to Abia State governor on Tertiary Education, Dr Emeka Enyeazu.

By Sabastine Gabriel

The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI) has trained journalists in South-East geopolitical zone on effective reporting of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), stressing the urgent need for proper regulation of the emerging technology.

The coalition also called for collective action to ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity rather than posing a threat to mankind.

NRCAI expressed concern that some proponents of AI in Nigeria and beyond are creating the impression that the technology is superior to God, the creator of all things, warning that lack of regulation could cause more harm than good globally.

The group made these remarks in Enugu during a one-day training workshop designed to educate journalists on the benefits and potential risks of AI applications in everyday life.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, comprising the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Future of Life Institute (FLI) Very Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, Director of the CCN Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, emphasized the need for unity in tackling misinformation and misrepresentation associated with AI.

“We appeal to all people of goodwill to unite in ensuring that AI serves all of humanity rather than a narrow few. By coming together across nations, cultures, and creeds, and prioritising dialogue over competition, we can shape a future that upholds human dignity and fosters a just and peaceful world.

“We call on all stakeholders, citizens, scientists, business leaders, faith leaders, community representatives, and policymakers to participate in this initiative. Collectively, we reiterate that machines must serve the interests of humanity,” Fadahunsi said.

Fadahunsi noted that NRCAI advocates ethical AI use and supports policies anchored on justice, compassion, accountability, and human dignity as guiding principles for AI development in Nigeria.

He further urged journalists, as gatekeepers of information, to exercise caution in handling AI-generated content to avoid misleading the public.

According to him, Nigerians are often driven by emotions, particularly on religious matters, making it imperative for media practitioners to verify information before dissemination to prevent misinformation and potential conflict.

Presenting an overview of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) 2025 in a paper titled “God in the Engine,” Fadahunsi described the framework as a living document guiding Nigeria’s AI-driven socio-economic transformation.

“At NRCAI, our focus is on responsible AI development, as reflected in NAIS 2024, particularly Pillar 4, which aims to establish ethical frameworks and build public trust. It is crucial that religious leaders provide moral and ethical guidance on the direction of AI in Nigeria,” he explained.

He added that the training was part of broader efforts to build a robust AI ethics framework and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including faith-based organisations.

In his presentation, the Chief Imam of Imo State, Barr. Yusuf Suleman Njoku, described AI as one of the most powerful information tools globally, warning that its use must be approached with caution to avoid catastrophic consequences.

He disclosed that many people could easily be misled by AI-generated content if not critically examined, stressing that AI should be used to support humanity rather than undermine it.

“We must ensure that AI does not supplant the role of God in the world. Some individuals can use AI to generate or foment trouble. How do we verify whether a statement was actually made by a person or generated by AI?” he queried.

Participants at the workshop unanimously agreed that without proper regulation, AI has the potential to either benefit or harm humanity on a global scale.

By PETRUS OBI

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Jideuma Ikenna Egwim, a Chief Consultant Family Physician, as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri.
Dr. Egwim, a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria since 2008, brings a wealth of experience in clinical practice, research, and healthcare administration to his new role. He is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Ibadan Medical School, where he graduated with the Provost Award in 1999.
Further strengthening his academic credentials, he obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Research from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Public Health/Epidemiology from Walden University. He also received specialized training in Palliative Care from Hospice Africa Uganda and Harvard Medical School.
A seasoned administrator, Dr. Egwim has held several key leadership positions at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, including Head of the Department of Family Medicine, Head of the NHIA Unit, and pioneer Head of the Palliative Care Unit.
Beyond the hospital, he has served as Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association and the Society of Family Physicians in Imo State. He has also contributed at the national level as a Faculty Board Member of the Faculty of Family Medicine at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Dr. Egwim succeeds Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, a Professor of Paediatrics, whose tenure as CMD has come to an end.
The appointment is expected to strengthen leadership and improve healthcare delivery at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, one of the key tertiary health institutions in southeastern Nigeria.

Six people, including a motorcyclist, were killed on Tuesday when a trailer carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit lost control and ran over several tricycles in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident occurred at the Fruits Market along the Oje-Beere route in Ibadan South East Local Government Area. The trailer reportedly suffered brake failure while descending the busy Mapo-Beere-Oje roads.

One of the affected tricycle drivers, Ademola Aderibigbe, who sustained minor leg injuries, said he narrowly escaped death.

Affected tricycles during the accident in Ibadan…Photo Credit: Ademola Adegbite.
“I was so lucky. I was around Beere roundabout, testing my tricycle after leaving the mechanic workshop.

“Suddenly, I heard a terrible sound pushing me aside. By the time I came out of the tricycle, the trailer was already heading towards the Oje axis,” he said.

Aderibigbe added that the truck crushed more than five tricycles, killing six people on the spot. “There was a woman whose remains were packed inside polythene,” he said.

Another eyewitness, Suleiman Oguntayo, lamented the frequency of accidents on the route. “The driver lost control at Beere end of the road, running over two tricycles and killing the passengers before heading to the popular Oje market, where four more people died. Several others are receiving treatment at hospitals in town,” he said.

A relation of one of the victims, speaking at Mapo Divisional Police Station, said the deceased had just christened his daughter three days ago. “My brother is gone. He left behind a 10-day-old child,” the relative said, weeping.

An Okada rider, who identified himself as Gafaru, claimed the death toll could be higher than six, noting that some corpses were packed in polythene and could not be identified.

Confirming the incident, a senior police officer said the case would be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the accident but could not provide the final number of casualties.

By Chinedu Gabriel

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has urged the people of the South-East to adopt a strategic approach by supporting President Bola Tinubu, citing ongoing federal road projects in the region as clear evidence of the administration’s commitment to its development.

Umahi made the appeal while addressing journalists during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects in Enugu State.

He explained that his ongoing tour across the six geopolitical zones is aimed at identifying projects that could be commissioned before May 29, noting that some key infrastructure would require the President’s presence.

“Well, I’m going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possible to be commissioned before May 29 by Mr President. There are some mega projects that, if the President is not available before then, we will need to adjust, because those are projects he must personally commission,” he said.

The minister cautioned residents against being swayed by divisive narratives, urging them to support the current administration to sustain development gains.

“And so the people of the South-East ought to be very grateful to Mr President, because we have never had it like this. I was governor for eight years and I cannot remember this level of federal road intervention in my state. Our people know this very well.

“We should be very careful. There are people who pretend they are helping us, but they are actually inciting us against the government and the nation. We must be wise enough to know when people are pretending and when they are genuinely interested in our progress,” he said.
While acknowledging that agitation for political inclusion is legitimate, Umahi stressed the need for foresight.

“It’s not as if agitation is wrong, but let us allow this man who has started correcting the wrongs done to the South-East in the past to continue. Let us give him the next four years, and then we will be fully integrated,” he added.

Highlighting specific projects, the minister described the Enugu–Onitsha road as one of the most critical routes in the region, noting that years of neglect had made it dangerous for commuters.

“This road, Enugu, Onitsha, is one of the most important routes for the people of the South-East. When we came on board, people were talking about this road every day. There were tanker accidents, loss of lives and serious challenges. But my joy is that all that is becoming a thing of the past because the President has taken decisive action,” he said.

Umahi disclosed that the 214-kilometre road is being reconstructed partly with concrete to enhance durability.

“I have no confidence in asphalt. About 50 per cent of this road will be done on concrete so that even if asphalt fails, a substantial part of the road will remain intact,” he explained.

He emphasised that the infrastructure drive is part of a broader national agenda.

“There is no discrimination. The same quality you see in Lagos-Calabar is what we are bringing here. This is a national infrastructure revolution,” he said.

Umahi expressed confidence that the projects would boost mobility and economic activities, adding that continued support for the administration would help consolidate ongoing gains in the South-East.

…Lauds Gov. Mbah for granting councils financial autonomy

…Says campaign promises fully delivered
By Chinedu Gabriel
The Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, has declared that the wave of insecurity that once crippled economic and social activities in the area has been decisively tackled.
Ukwueze said his administration successfully addressed both internal and external security threats, restoring peace and enabling residents to “sleep with their two eyes closed.”
He attributed the achievement to the financial autonomy granted to local government councils under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, whom he commended for non-interference in council funds.
According to him, prior to his assumption of office, Igbo-Eze South was under siege by armed groups popularly referred to as “unknown gunmen,” who unleashed terror, imposed illegal levies on residents, and paralysed economic activities.
“Communities lived in fear. Farmers abandoned their farmlands, markets were shut, and citizens were subjected to unlawful taxation,” he said.
He explained that his administration made security a top priority through strategic investments and infrastructure development, particularly the rehabilitation of road networks, which enhanced access for security agencies to previously troubled areas.
“Today, the narrative has changed. Our people have returned to their farms, markets are open, and we can now celebrate Children’s Day again—something that was impossible at the height of insecurity,” Ukwueze stated.
The council boss, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, stressed that no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“No matter the level of infrastructure, if people cannot sleep peacefully, then government has failed,” he said.
Highlighting key achievements of his administration, Ukwueze pointed to significant improvements in road infrastructure, noting that over 100 kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, making all communities in the LGA accessible.
He further described the relationship between the state and local governments as a productive and results-driven partnership.
“What we have in Enugu State is synergy—visible and impactful. When a project is viable, the state government supports it substantially, sometimes contributing up to 60 percent,” he explained.
On youth empowerment, Ukwueze disclosed that the council sponsored free registration for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations for indigent students, thereby expanding access to tertiary education.
He added that 250 youths were trained in vocational skills at Marist School, Enugu, while another 500 received training in Artificial Intelligence and obtained certification from UNESCO.
Ukwueze reiterated that his administration has fulfilled its campaign promises, emphasizing that the focus remains on sustaining peace, empowering youths, and driving grassroots development.
If you want, I can also give you a stronger headline (more punchy or viral) or tailor it for a specific newspaper style.