By Okey Maduforo, Awka

The ongoing modernisation of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State is expected to be completed ahead of the Christmas festivities, with over 6,000 shops and modern facilities designed to boost commercial activities in the historic market.

The project, which commenced two months ago, has reached 90 per cent completion and is being executed on a 24,000-square-metre expanse of land, with an Independent Power Plant (IPP) designed to provide uninterrupted electricity to the market and its environs.

Other facilities include five additional boreholes to complement the existing one, a health centre, modern toilet facilities, a motor park, solar-powered streetlights, CCTV surveillance cameras and four access roads.

The market will also feature three major entrance gates, eight minor gates and a dedicated firefighting station to enhance security and emergency response.

Speaking during an inspection of the project, the Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Henry Arinze, said the initiative was designed to provide a conducive business environment for traders and their customers.

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“The project is aimed at providing ease of doing business for both traders and their customers, and with over 6,000 shops in the market, we are good to go,” he said.

Arinze explained that the project forms part of Governor Charles Soludo’s urban regeneration programme, adding that the provision of an Independent Power Plant would enable traders to extend commercial activities from the current closing time of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We did not demolish the market shops. What we are carrying out is part of the urban regeneration programme of the state government. With the new facilities, the market will remain open until 10 p.m. as against the present 5 p.m. closing time,” he stated.

He further disclosed that construction activities were deliberately restricted to nighttime and Sundays to minimise disruptions to trading.

“We would have gone farther than this, but we work only at night and on Sundays so that traders can continue their businesses while construction is ongoing,” he explained.

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Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Projects Monitoring, Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo, recalled that the market had not witnessed any major government-led modernisation since its post-civil-war reconstruction in 1971 under the administration of the then Sole Administrator of East Central State, the late Ukpabi Asika, with assistance from the Federal Government.

According to him, the market has experienced four major fire incidents since its reconstruction, with affected traders largely undertaking the rebuilding of their shops themselves.

“Since 1971, when the market was reconstructed after the war, there have been four fire incidents, with traders carrying out the reconstruction of their affected shops. The state government is not only desirous but deliberate about restoring the past glory of the market,” Nwankwo said.

The Head of Civil and Structural Engineering, Prof. Henry Aginam, commended the Anambra State Government for embarking on the project, describing it as a bold intervention in the redevelopment of the commercial hub.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction materials and the calibre of professionals engaged in executing the project.

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Similarly, the representative of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Akaolisa Ezeadi, gave the project a positive assessment, noting that the construction work complied with professional standards and engineering best practices.

Ezeadi said the regulatory body was satisfied with the quality of work so far and would continue its monitoring visits until the project was completed.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nonso Ebonwu, described the market modernisation as a major step towards reviving the commercial fortunes of Onitsha and attracting increased patronage from within and outside Nigeria.

He disclosed that a similar redevelopment initiative was also being undertaken at the Nkwo Nnewi Auto Parts Market.

The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, Chief Chijioke Okpalaugo, expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the market, noting that patronage had continued to increase despite the ongoing construction.

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He reaffirmed the traders’ support for the Soludo administration and expressed optimism that the completed project would further strengthen Onitsha Main Market’s position as one of the leading commercial centres in West Africa.

ENUGU, October 25, 2026 — A new association, Online Media Professionals (OMP), has been established to unite online media practitioners, protect their interests and promote professionalism in Nigeria’s media industry.

The association, according to a communiqué issued in Enugu on Sunday, aims to provide a common platform for practitioners to collaborate, share ideas and address challenges affecting their work and welfare.

OMP said the growing influence of online publications in informing the public, shaping public discourse and holding public officeholders accountable had made it necessary for practitioners to organise under a recognised professional body.

The association will bring together individuals who own or work with online media platforms, providing opportunities for cooperation, professional development and engagement with relevant institutions and stakeholders.

It also plans to establish working relationships with government officials, security agencies, educational institutions, corporate organisations and other bodies whose activities affect the media industry and society.

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According to the communiqué, OMP is beginning its activities in the South-East, with plans to expand into a national organisation representing online media professionals across Nigeria.

The association said its long-term objectives included building a credible professional body capable of giving practitioners a collective voice, promoting responsible journalism and providing a platform for addressing issues affecting members.

It added that the growth of online media must be accompanied by professionalism, accountability and respect for the responsibilities associated with informing the public.

OMP also pledged to encourage cooperation among practitioners and promote standards capable of strengthening public confidence in online publications.

The association noted that achieving its objectives would require the commitment of members, a clear sense of purpose and programmes designed to address their needs.

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It therefore called on online media practitioners across the South-East and other parts of the country to identify with the initiative and contribute to building a strong professional association.

Membership, according to the communiqué, is open to professionals who own or work with online media publication platforms and are willing to support the association’s objectives.

The communiqué was signed by Jude Chinedu and Chukwumerije Aja on behalf of the Communiqué Drafting Committee of Online Media Professionals.

The emergence of OMP marks an effort to strengthen the professional identity of online media practitioners and create opportunities for collaboration and growth within Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.

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The Federal Commissioner representing Kaduna State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Sa’adatu Garba Dogonbauchi, has presented letters of permanent and pensionable appointment to three youths drawn from different local government areas of the state.

The presentation, according to a statement issued by Dogonbauchi, is aimed at expanding employment opportunities for young people and supporting youth empowerment in line with the Federal Government’s development objectives.

The beneficiaries are Shamsuddeen Abdulaziz Bagi from Igabi Local Government Area, Abdulfatah Abdulwakil from Kaduna South Local Government Area, and Aisha Adamu from Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

Speaking during the presentation, Dogonbauchi described the appointments as more than an administrative exercise, saying they provide beneficiaries with an opportunity to build sustainable careers in public service while improving their economic prospects and contributing to national development.

She said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises employment generation, economic empowerment and improved living standards for Nigerians.

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The NPC commissioner expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and represent Kaduna State, pledging to continue supporting programmes that create opportunities for young people and strengthen public institutions.

She also acknowledged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke for their support, which she said contributed to her appointment and service.

Dogonbauchi urged the new employees to discharge their duties with discipline, integrity and professionalism, while adhering to public service rules and serving as worthy representatives of their communities.

She congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through excellence, accountability and dedication to public service.

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Hon. Obi Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is facing mounting criticism and backlash over his video in which he is seen singing and vibing to a sexually vulgar and demeaning song against women.

In the video, which is currently making the rounds online and in Ikwuano/Umuahia WhatsApp groups, Aguocha is clearly seen singing and enjoying the Ogele cultural song, whose lyrics reduce women to objects of sexual gratification.

The footage was reportedly recorded at a public gathering that had families in attendance, including children, a detail that has intensified the backlash.

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The song, performed in the Ogele cultural music tradition associated with communities in Abia State, has sparked outrage among women and women’s groups who say the lyrics are not just vulgar but deeply degrading.

“This is not culture. This is humiliation dressed in tradition,” said Mrs. Ngozi Ibe, a women’s leader in Umuahia North. “We have watched the video. The words used against women in that song are not the kind of thing any serious leader should be associated with. A lawmaker representing our constituency should be defending our dignity, not promoting content that strips women of it.”

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Another woman, a trader in Umuahia South who identified herself simply as Madam Grace, said the video had caused deep anger among market women.

“We heard about it and we watched it. Many of us were shocked. You cannot claim to represent women and then be seen singing and vibing to a song where women are being insulted in the most vulgar way. We are not laughing. We are insulted,” she said.

A coalition of women’s groups in the constituency, under the aegis of the Ikwuano/Umuahia Concerned Women’s Forum, also issued a statement condemning the video.

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“The lyrics go beyond ordinary expressions of affection. They employ vulgar sexual references that reduce women to objects and make our sexuality the subject of degrading entertainment. For a serving federal lawmaker to be seen actively singing and enjoying such content is a serious indictment on his judgment and his respect for the women he claims to represent,” the group said.

The women’s forum also expressed concern over the presence of children at the event.

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“What message does it send to our children when a leader they look up to is seen celebrating a song that reduces women to sexual objects? This is not the kind of example we should be setting for the next generation,” the statement added.

“Ogele is our heritage. But heritage is not a licence for vulgarity. Culture should uplift, not humiliate. We call on Hon. Aguocha to explain his involvement in this video and to apologise to the women and families of Ikwuano/Umuahia,” the group said.

The controversy raises questions about the judgment expected of a public officeholder and the appropriateness of associating with content that many women and families could reasonably find offensive and humiliating.

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Aguocha has not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

The National Assembly has reportedly received proposals for the creation of additional local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria, with Lagos State seeking 37 new councils, while Akwa Ibom State is conspicuously missing from a published list of submissions.

The proposals, according to a report by The Insight Lens Project, cover various communities across the country’s six geopolitical zones and reflect demands for administrative restructuring, improved grassroots representation and better access to government services.

However, the complete list of submissions has not been independently verified, and the proposals do not constitute approval for the creation of new local government areas.

In the North-East, the reported requests include Bidoma and Michika South in Adamawa State, Boi-Tapshin in Bauchi, Banki in Borno, Cham in Gombe, Gudi in Yobe and Wukari in Taraba State.

In the North-West, the proposed areas reportedly include locations in Jigawa, Piriga in Kaduna, Dankama in Katsina, as well as Moriki and other communities in Zamfara State.

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The North-Central zone also features in the reported submissions, with proposals covering Agasha and other communities in Benue State, alongside several areas in Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states.

In the South-East, the list includes Abiriba in Abia State, proposed councils around Obosi in Anambra State, several communities in Ebonyi State and numerous proposed local government areas in Imo State.

The South-West proposals reportedly include Eso-Obe and Gbonyin in Ekiti State, Ogijo and other areas in Ogun State, as well as additional proposed councils in Osun and Oyo states.

Lagos State stands out with a reported request for 37 new local government areas, although the published report did not provide the names and proposed boundaries of all the councils.

In the South-South, the reported proposals include Akassa and other communities in Bayelsa State, Ughievwen in Delta State, several areas in Edo State, and Ataba, Evo and Alesa in Rivers State.

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Cross River State is also listed, with proposed councils around Mbube and Calabar. Akwa Ibom State, however, has no clearly identified entry in the published list, raising questions about whether the state submitted proposals or was omitted from the report.

Constitutional Requirements

The creation of new local government areas is governed by Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which prescribes a series of procedures involving consultations, a referendum, legislative approval and the submission of relevant records to the National Assembly.

The constitutional process must be completed before newly created councils can be recognised and reflected in the relevant constitutional schedules.

Consequently, proposals submitted by states or communities do not automatically translate into legally recognised local government areas.

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The reported development comes amid broader constitutional review efforts by the National Assembly. In October 2025, the legislature reported receiving 278 requests for additional local government areas and 55 proposals for the creation of new states.

Nevertheless, the specific state-by-state submissions contained in the latest published list, including Lagos State’s reported demand for 37 additional councils and the absence of Akwa Ibom, remain subject to confirmation through official National Assembly records.

The proposals, if confirmed, could reopen discussions on administrative boundaries, grassroots governance and the constitutional procedures required for the creation of additional local government areas in Nigeria.