The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams Abang, has died at a hospital in Abuja.
Williams reportedly died suddenly on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while receiving medical treatment.
His death was announced on Sunday by his brother, Nkang William, who expressed shock over the sudden loss.
The deceased was described by family members and associates as a dedicated public servant whose death had left a significant void.
A former councillor representing Abo Ward in Boki Local Government Area, Pius Kejuo Osang, said he was still struggling to understand the development.

Late Abang

“I don’t understand, I was with him on Tuesday, I slept in his hotel,” Osang said.
Michael Gabriel Jr., Executive Media Assistant to Senator John Owan-Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, also described Williams as “a dedicated public servant and a good man.”
He said Ikom Local Government Area had lost a committed public servant, adding that Williams’ life of service, humility and impact would remain in the memories of those he touched.
The commissioner’s death has thrown Cross River’s political and public service circles into mourning, with condolences pouring in for his family, colleagues and associates.

The Board Chairman of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, has identified the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the governments of the nine Niger Delta states as development partners in building a sustainable regional investment ecosystem.

Addressing newsmen at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt, Ogan reaffirmed NDCCITMA’s commitment to successfully hosting the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit from September 15 to 17 in the Rivers State capital.

The NDCCITMA Chairman said the Summit was a strategic, private-sector-led platform to mobilise investment and unlock the Niger Delta region’s economic potential, anchored on the theme: “Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”

He stated: “Our vision is to bring together the nine Niger Delta states, the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, organised private sector, domestic and international investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, financial institutions, project developers and other strategic partners around a common objective: To transform the Niger Delta from a predominantly resource-dependent economy into a diversified, productive, industrialised and globally competitive regional economy.”

According to Ogan, the Summit was designed not merely as another conference, but as an investment and transaction platform, stating: “I dare say that the region possesses opportunities far beyond crude oil.

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“From gas and petrochemicals to agriculture and agro-processing; maritime and blue economy; manufacturing; aviation and transportation; renewable energy; tourism; digital economy; logistics; infrastructure and financial services, the Niger Delta possesses the resources and market opportunities required to become one of Africa’s leading investment destinations.”

We intend to showcase strategic investment opportunities capable of transforming the regional economy, including agro-industrial and oil-palm value chains, gas utilisation and gas-based industries, regional transportation and aviation, maritime infrastructure, industrial and logistics hubs, renewable energy, manufacturing, skills development, digital infrastructure and other high-impact projects.

The Counsel to the Legal Representative of NDCCITMA, Mr Sammie Somiari, SAN, affirmed that the Summit organiser was committed to conducting its activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

He noted that in a suit filed by the founder of NDEIS, Kenule Nwiya Jnr, over an alleged trademark infringement, the court restrained the plaintiff from further interfering with the Summit being planned by the NDCCITMA.

Somiari assured that the Summit would proceed as planned, as there was no legal encumbrance to the economic and investment platform.

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Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, observed that the Summit would promote stronger economic integration among the nine Niger Delta states.

She noted that the investment forum would produce tangible outcomes: investment commitments, project partnerships, financing opportunities, policy recommendations, and clearly defined implementation frameworks.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama

Director, Corporate Affairs

September 12, 2026

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The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) says the commission is over 90 per cent ready for the forthcoming Sept. 26 Local Government Council Elections in Enugu State.

ENSIEC had scheduled elections into 17 Chairmanship and 260 Councillorship positions in the state.

The Executive Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof. Christian Ngwu, disclosed this on Monday in Enugu.

Ngwu noted that the commission was already putting finishing touches on every other arrangement and training ahead of the polls.

“It is only few things remaining and we are finalising and putting finishing touches on them,” he said.

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The chairman said that the commission had trained the trainers of the ad hoc staff, already advertised for the ad hoc staff, while their training would be coming in few days.

He said that “almost all materials for the elections are ready”.

Ngwu noted that the “non sensitive materials will be leaving ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu latest Thursday, Sept. 17, to council headquarters”.

According to him, the sensitive materials will be received and kept in a safe place for now.

“We will soon concluded arrangement with transport unions/companies to ensure adequate logistics facilities.

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“The commission is already having a fruitful conclusion of security arrangement with security agencies in the state with the Nigeria Police as lead agency,” he said.

Ngwu said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would soon avail ENSIEC the authentic voters register of the state to work it.

“I am calling on residents of Enugu State to troop out en mass to cast their votes for their preferred candidates without fear or fear.

“ENSIEC will continue to provide a level playing field for all candidates in the elections.

“The commission will provide a conducive and secure environment as well as ensure a peaceful, hitch-free, transparent and credible elections come Sept. 26 in the state,” he said.

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He said that the commission had pasted notice of election in local government areas, which contained awareness on how to vote correctly and positive behavioural conduct expected during and after casting one’s vote.

It would be recalled that candidates from 11 political parties would be participating in the polls.

ENSIEC had two weeks ago concluded train-the-trainer workshop for its officials, which included: 17 Electoral Officers (EOs) for each of the 17 council areas, 17 Assistant Electoral Officers, seven directors, five commissioner and an administrative secretary.

Hon. Chief Kevin Tobias Chukwu, the NDC candidate for the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has called on Nigerian leaders to rediscover the country by spending their vacations and leisure time within Nigeria.

Chukwu made the call while reacting to former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s position that Nigerian presidents should spend their vacations in the country.

He said the issue should be viewed beyond partisan politics, arguing that leaders must demonstrate confidence in Nigeria if they expect citizens and investors to do the same.

According to him, frequent foreign vacations by political leaders send the wrong message to Nigerians, particularly when the government continues to encourage citizens to invest in the domestic economy.

“We cannot continue to export our wealth and import our enjoyment while asking Nigerians to believe in Nigeria,” he said.

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Chukwu suggested that a president could choose to spend holidays in tourist destinations such as Obudu, Yankari, Lagos, Enugu, Ebonyi, Plateau and Akwa Ibom, among others.

He said such visits would boost local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators, farmers, artisans and other small businesses, while also increasing public confidence in Nigeria’s tourism potential.

The NDC candidate also highlighted the security implications, saying a president who can comfortably spend time in different parts of the country would send a strong signal about the safety and viability of those areas.

“This should go beyond Peter Obi and beyond party politics. It is about a new culture of leadership,” Chukwu said.

He added: “If we truly want Nigerians to believe in Nigeria, those who lead Nigeria must demonstrate that belief themselves. Charity, they say, begins at home.”

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The Director of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, has said the swift mobilisation of emergency resources by Governor Peter Mbah led to the rescue of five occupants trapped in a collapsed building in Enugu metropolis.

The uncompleted four-storey building, located along Ogbaru Street, by Alvan Ikokwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday.

Ohaa told newsmen on Sunday that all five occupants of the building, as confirmed by the security guard on duty, were successfully rescued.

Ohaa

He said four of the occupants were rescued alive and conscious, although they sustained injuries, while the fifth person was rescued unconscious.

Ohaa commended Governor Mbah for his swift mobilisation of emergency response agencies, including the Red Cross, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Ambulance Services, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Other agencies and organisations at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) and a Chinese construction company, which provided four heavy-duty cranes.

According to Ohaa, the governor alerted him about the incident early Sunday morning, prompting the immediate mobilisation of officers of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service to the scene with extrication equipment.

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“His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, must be commended for also mobilising adequate rescue equipment such as heavy-duty cranes, bulldozers and excavators, which ensured the rescue of the five persons,” he said.

Ohaa explained that rescue officers initially relied on information from the security guard to determine how many people were trapped in the building.

“As rescue officers, what we did was to ask the security man how many people were here. He said there were supposed to be six. One person had left before it happened.

“So, we were able at that initial time to rescue four persons. Out of the four, two sustained minor injuries and they were all rushed to a health facility for proper checks,” he said.

The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said the fifth person was eventually recovered unconscious and taken to a health facility by the Enugu State Ambulance Services.

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The NEMA Information Officer in Enugu, Mr Nnanyelugo Ezeani, also confirmed that five people were rescued.

He said the situation could have been worse because the state government had earlier sealed the construction site.

“One person among the six residing in the collapsed building was not on the site at the time of the incident, while five others were rescued and taken to the hospital,” Ezeani said.

Speaking on the incident, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Mr Uche Anya, described the developer as one of those who failed to comply with building regulations.

Anya said the ECTDA had earlier taken regulatory action by sealing the site, which was originally approved in 2021.

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“This property was approved in 2021 before the advent of this administration. But usually, we have a habit of stocktaking and checking on every construction at every stage.

“When I personally led the team that inspected here, we found out that there were serious integrity issues and non-compliance with their 2021 approval.

“I personally issued the first ‘stop-work order,’ which, due to the violation, resulted in our sealing the place over the last six months outrightly.

“So, I think within the last 30 to 40 days, the representative of the owner, whom they say lives abroad, has been interfacing with us to remedy the situation. This is the process that we are still trying to interface on, and it came down.”

Anya added that he had handed the owner’s representative over to the police to assist with the investigation.

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“This is really a very unfortunate situation,” he said.