News
Soludo Reaffirms Obi Gibson Nwosu As Monarch Of Awka Kingdom
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has reaffirmed Obi Gibson Nwosu As the Eze Uzu 2 of Awka Kingdom dismissing the claim of Ozo Austin Ndigwe to the thrown of the Town .
Soludo who received the report on the Chieftaincy tussle from the Panel of enquiry into the over ten years dispute warned Ndigwe to stop parading himself as Eze Uzu 3 of Awka Kingdom declaring that “enough is enough” regarding the decade-long leadership crisis rocking the traditional stool of Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Receiving the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Awka
Traditional Stool dispute, the Governor emphasized that his administration will not accept the existence of two traditional rulers in any community.
The dispute, which has lingered for over ten years, prompted the state government to intervene after internal peace mechanisms failed. Governor Soludo revealed that he had previously mandated the President-General of Awka—who was unanimously selected by the community—to mediate.
However, weeks later, the PG reported that the complexities of the crisis exceeded his capacity for intervention, leading the community to formally request the state government’s involvement.
“Awka is not just another community; it is the capital of the state,” Governor Soludo remarked. “The institution of the Eze Uzu must be revered. If the stool is in dispute, it diminishes the entire state. We must be a state of law and order.”
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Commission and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, described the findings as a culmination of tireless efforts to uncover the facts in the overriding public interest.
The Commission’s inquiry led to several cardinal findings such as the remote causes which includes the vaulting ambition of Chief Austin Ndigwe and an exaggerated perception of customary authority that ignored statutory law, Controversies surrounding “dust-to-dust” Catholic burial rites and the procedurally defective attempted dethronement of the incumbent monarch in 2017.
According to him, the Commission ruled that the purported removal of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) was unlawful, invalid, and lacked legal effect due to a lack of quorum, denial of fair hearing, and failure to comply with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007.
The Commission also concluded that Chief Austin Ndigwe was never lawfully selected or installed, noting that his claim to the throne is an “affront” to the state government as there was no vacancy in the stool.
Justice Obidigwe stated that the Commission’s primary recommendations include the formal reaffirmation of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu as the substantive Traditional Ruler of Awka and the deployment of government machinery to stop Chief Austin Ndigwe’s unlawful claims to the stool. He also stressed the need for structured reconciliation to foster communal healing.
Accepting the document, Governor Soludo assured the public that the government would study the report with keen interest and issue a White Paper as a follow-up.
“This is a message to other communities,” the Governor warned. “Always refer to the Anambra Traditional Rulers Law 2007. It is my duty to enforce the law. In this matter, there is no victor and no vanquished—only the triumph of the rule of law.”
The Governor thanked the Commission for their transparency and accountability, noting that their work is essential to achieving a livable and prosperous Anambra.
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 6:34 PM Maduforo Okechukwu <maduforor@gmail.com> wrote:
Soludo Reaffirms Obi Gibson Nwosu As Monarch Of Awka Kingdom. Dismisses Ozo Ndigwe As Fake
By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has reaffirmed Obi Gibson Nwosu As the Eze Uzu 2 of Awka Kingdom dismissing the claim of Ozo Austin Ndigwe to the thrown of the Town .
Soludo who received the report on the Chieftaincy tussle from the Panel of enquiry into the over ten years dispute warned Ndigwe to stop parading himself as Eze Uzu 3 of Awka Kingdom declaring that “enough is enough” regarding the decade-long leadership crisis rocking the traditional stool of Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Receiving the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Awka Traditional Stool dispute, the Governor emphasized that his administration will not accept the existence of two traditional rulers in any community.
The dispute, which has lingered for over ten years, prompted the state government to intervene after internal peace mechanisms failed. Governor Soludo revealed that he had previously mandated the President-General of Awka—who was unanimously selected by the community—to mediate.
However, weeks later, the PG reported that the complexities of the crisis exceeded his capacity for intervention, leading the community to formally request the state government’s involvement.
“Awka is not just another community; it is the capital of the state,” Governor Soludo remarked. “The institution of the Eze Uzu must be revered. If the stool is in dispute, it diminishes the entire state. We must be a state of law and order.”
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Commission and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, described the findings as a culmination of tireless efforts to uncover the facts in the overriding public interest.
The Commission’s inquiry led to several cardinal findings such as the remote causes which includes the vaulting ambition of Chief Austin Ndigwe and an exaggerated perception of customary authority that ignored statutory law, Controversies surrounding “dust-to-dust” Catholic burial rites and the procedurally defective attempted dethronement of the incumbent monarch in 2017.
According to him, the Commission ruled that the purported removal of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) was unlawful, invalid, and lacked legal effect due to a lack of quorum, denial of fair hearing, and failure to comply with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007.
The Commission also concluded that Chief Austin Ndigwe was never lawfully selected or installed, noting that his claim to the throne is an “affront” to the state government as there was no vacancy in the stool.
Justice Obidigwe stated that the Commission’s primary recommendations include the formal reaffirmation of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu as the substantive Traditional Ruler of Awka and the deployment of government machinery to stop Chief Austin Ndigwe’s unlawful claims to the stool. He also stressed the need for structured reconciliation to foster communal healing.
Accepting the document, Governor Soludo assured the public that the government would study the report with keen interest and issue a White Paper as a follow-up.
“This is a message to other communities,” the Governor warned. “Always refer to the Anambra Traditional Rulers Law 2007. It is my duty to enforce the law. In this matter, there is no victor and no vanquished—only the triumph of the rule of law.”
The Governor thanked the Commission for their transparency and accountability, noting that their work is essential to achieving a livable and prosperous Anambra.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with several major generals and brigadier generals redeployed to key command, operational and administrative positions.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Major General IA Ajose has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
Other notable appointments include:
Major General AE Abubakar — Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General AM Alechenu — Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha — Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar — Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
Major General UM Alkali — Director, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed — Director General, Nigerian Army Finance Corporation.
Major General JE Osifo — Chairman, Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong — Director of Engineering Services, Defence Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several brigadier generals, including Brigadier General AA Bello, Brigadier General MS Adamu, Brigadier General MS Sule, Brigadier General I Sule, Brigadier General E Azenda and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who have all been assigned to new command or administrative roles.
The Chief of Army Staff directed the newly posted officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
More than 24 feared dead in suspected poisoning incident in Ondo
More than 24 people have reportedly died following a suspected poisoning incident in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other residents affected by the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the incident but said he could not provide further details until medical experts conduct a professional assessment and determine the cause of the deaths and illnesses.
As a precaution, the local government has restricted the sale and consumption of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected communities.
Residents have been advised to avoid suspicious herbal mixtures, unverified sachet products and other substances of uncertain origin pending the outcome of medical examinations and laboratory tests.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning and confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Residents of Umudimishi Village, Umuoru, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the worsening menace of gully erosion allegedly caused by illegal and unregulated sand mining activities in the community.
The villagers said about 120 buildings are currently threatened by the expanding gully, with some residents already making arrangements to relocate for fear of losing their homes to the erosion.
In the petition addressed to Governor Soludo and copied to the state Ministries of Environment and Works, the villagers alleged that the activities of sand miners posed a serious threat to human lives, property and the continued existence of the community.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Umudimishi Development Union, Nze Ibeabuchi Umeugochukwu, stated that several homes in the area were located only a few metres from the mining sites and had consequently become vulnerable to erosion.
The villagers said: “Many homesteads in Umudimishi are close to and along the line of mining by few metres and, as a result, stand eroded in the course of this ecological problem fueled by unregulated sand mining.”
They further alleged that the erosion menace was largely triggered by human activities, particularly unregulated sand mining along the Aguata-Orumba axis, where they said the soil structure was highly susceptible to erosion.
According to them, “Erosion menace is being triggered by human factor of unregulated sand mining, especially as it is in Aguata-Orumba Axis where the sand structure is prone to erosion, which is the major environmental hazard in the region.”
The community also claimed that sand mining had become the major source of environmental crises affecting Umudimishi Quarter, Umuoru Village and Uga generally.
Beyond the environmental consequences, the villagers expressed concern that the availability of quick money from sand mining was discouraging youths from learning vocational skills.
They said many youths now preferred sand mining to acquiring skills, while the worsening erosion had also discouraged residents and prospective investors from establishing businesses in the area.
The villagers therefore appealed to Governor Soludo to permanently shut down the mining sites in Umudimishi to prevent further deterioration of the already deplorable environmental situation.
They also urged the governor to direct the appropriate agency of the Anambra State Government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion sites and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to tackle the problem and reclaim lands already lost to erosion.
The petitioners said urgent intervention by the state government was necessary to protect lives, homes and the remaining land in the community from further destruction.
News
Major Generals to Receive Up to ₦25.91m Yearly as Tinubu Approves New Military Pension Structure
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, effective September 1, 2026.
The approval was communicated in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Under the new structure, the highest-ranking officers—Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals—have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure is equivalent to about ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.
Other approved pensionable salary ranges include:
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals: ₦16.99m–₦25.91m annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98m–₦23.9m.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores: ₦13.86m–₦16.39m.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains: ₦8.31m–₦9.49m.
Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders: ₦7.55m–₦8.74m.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99m–₦7.01m.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28m–₦6.42m.
Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers: ₦4.92m–₦5.59m.
The new schedule also covers non-commissioned personnel. Warrant Officers have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen fall within the range of ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government, however, clarified that the figures are pensionable salaries used to calculate retirement benefits and should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
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