News
People With Special Needs Benefit as Enugu Senator Rolls Out Empowerment Programme
The people of Enugu East Senatorial District including individuals with special needs on Sunday received various empowerment items from Senator Kelvin Chukwu.
In a colourful event held at the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria, UNEC, Senator Chukwu expressed gratitude to the people for their confidence in him and the mandate to represent them in the Senate.
Chukwu was also grateful to his fellow Senators and members of the House of Representatives for their support throughout the programme, which kicked off with a Thanksgiving church service at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Enugu.
The Senator assured his constituents of his commitment to quality representation, promising not to let them down. He took the opportunity to highlight some of his achievements since taking office, including the sponsorship of various bills within the Senate.
While clarifying the role of a lawmaker who does not initiate capital projects directly, the Senator vowed to attract constituency projects aimed at easing the struggles of his people.
“What you see today is just a tip of the iceberg,” he said, adding that he has positively impacted the lives of many within his district since assuming office.
He promised to attract such vital services like electricity, healthcare, and road infrastructure for his constituents.
The Senator urged those who have not benefited from the empowerment program to be patient, assuring that support would eventually reach them all.
Speaking during the church service, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Calistus Onaga, condemned the alarming rise of politically motivated violence in the Southeast and urged those responsible to have a rethink.
The Bishop praised Senator Chukwu for his empowerment initiative, encouraging beneficiaries to make the most of the items they received.
He warned that anyone involved in such heinous acts would face divine retribution, asserting that no one has the right to take a life that they did not create.
He emphasized the importance of reconciliation and the need for everyone to adhere to the commandments of God, reminding the congregation that life is fleeting and accountability is inevitable.
“This is a time for reconciliation and returning to God. May He instill in us the strength to forgive, for though it is difficult, it is essential,” he said. “Our lives are brief, but to gain eternity, we must act justly. Beneficiaries should use these gifts wisely and help others in turn.”
Chairman of the event Dr. Ben Nwoye, expressed sorrow over the assassination of late Labour Party Senatorial candidate Oyibo Chukwu during the 2023 elections.
Nwoye, a former Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Enugu began his address with a moment of silence in memory of Oyibo Chukwu.
He commended the initiative describing the empowerment programme as a true embodiment of democratic action.
“I am here to promote good governance, regardless of party affiliation,” he stated.
“We are not here to discuss political parties. I am a member of APC, and my brother Senator Kelvin Chukwu belongs to the Labour Party. My purpose today is to foster good governance.”
Nwoye charged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items, pointing out that their effective use would motivate the donor to continue supporting such initiatives.
Senator Victor Umeh, Anambra Central, commended Senator Chukwu for the empowerment programme and expressed gratitude to the Enugu senatorial zone for their steadfast support of the senator.
All the Labour Party members of the federal House of Representatives from Enugu state present at the event praised Senator Chukwu for delivering democratic dividends to the constituents who entrusted him with their mandate.
Among the beneficiaries were 25 individuals with special needs, who each received brand new grinding machines.
Items distributed to the beneficiaries included brand new sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles, large refrigerators, fertilizers, and foodstuffs.
The event was well attended by such dignitaries like Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Okey Ezea of LP from Enugu North, Senator Osita Ngwu representing Enugu West, Hon. Chimaobi Atu representing Enugu North and South, and Hon. Sunday Umeha from the Udi/Ezeiagu federal constituency.
Others were Professor Sunday Paul Nnamchi, representing Enugu East/ Isi Uzo federally, Bishop Ikemdika Olinya of Ehamufu Anglican Diocese, members of the state House of Assembly, and traditional rulers.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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