₦airaland Forum

USAID State2State enlightens information officers, PROs on effective reportage in Ebonyi




In furtherance of the effectiveness of the flow of information between the government and it's citizens, the USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity has organized a two day Communication Strategy Implementation Progress Review workshop in Ebonyi State to ensure continued improvement in governance communication strategy.

Addressing participants, the USAID State2State Communication Specialist, Nneka Acholonu Egbuna said the workshop was to look into how information officers have been able to use the communication strategy adopted in the state since 2020 to discharging their duties.

Nneka Egbuna maintained that the Ebonyi State Communication Strategy was co-developed by government and stakeholders to improve communications between State Ministries , Departments and Agency officials and citizens for the purpose of strengthening state government responsiveness to the needs and priorities of its citizens.

Also Speaking, the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist with USAID State2State, Mrs. Ejiro Okotie, highlighted on Understanding Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming in Communication and implored the Information and Public Relations Officers to always promote positivism and empowering narratives technique in their reportage and charged them to avoid stereotype and bias reportage.

Earlier in a Goodwill message, the Permeant Secretary, State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mrs Patience Nwobashi thanked State2State for partrnering Ebonyi State saying the state has benefited a lot.

She commended the State2State Communication Specialist Nneka Egbuna for her tireless efforts in reshaping the activities of Information Officers in the State and charged the Information and Public Relations Officers in the workshop to pay attention to the teachings at the workshop as it would help them to write reports without putting the state in jeopardy.

In a presentation, the Director Information in the Ministry of Information in the state ministry of information, Mr. Anya Nkama said the presence of USAID State2State in Ebonyi has helped in developing working documents which have been guiding Information and Public Relations Officers in handling reputation management and making them active participants in the feedback mechanism which has inturn helped the government to be more responsive to the needs of the people.

Appreciating the State2State for the workshop, participants including the Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State House of Assembly Mr Egede Sylverter and Public Relations Officer in Ministry of Grants and Donor Agencies Mr Chukwudi Nweke said he workshop has actually repositioned them on how best to carryout their jobs and thanked the USAID Nigeria State2State for the opportunity given to them.

Sessions included Good Practices for Audience Engagement on Social Media, and Review of Results Achieved by Information and Public Relations Officers in using the strategy.

USAID State2State enlightens information officers, PROs on effective reportage in Ebonyi




In furtherance of the effectiveness of the flow of information between the government and it's citizens, the USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity has organized a two day Communication Strategy Implementation Progress Review workshop in Ebonyi State to ensure continued improvement in governance communication strategy.

Addressing participants, the USAID State2State Communication Specialist, Nneka Acholonu Egbuna said the workshop was to look into how information officers have been able to use the communication strategy adopted in the state since 2020 to discharging their duties.

Nneka Egbuna maintained that the Ebonyi State Communication Strategy was co-developed by government and stakeholders to improve communications between State Ministries , Departments and Agency officials and citizens for the purpose of strengthening state government responsiveness to the needs and priorities of its citizens.

Also Speaking, the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist with USAID State2State, Mrs. Ejiro Okotie, highlighted on Understanding Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming in Communication and implored the Information and Public Relations Officers to always promote positivism and empowering narratives technique in their reportage and charged them to avoid stereotype and bias reportage.

Earlier in a Goodwill message, the Permeant Secretary, State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mrs Patience Nwobashi thanked State2State for partrnering Ebonyi State saying the state has benefited a lot.

She commended the State2State Communication Specialist Nneka Egbuna for her tireless efforts in reshaping the activities of Information Officers in the State and charged the Information and Public Relations Officers in the workshop to pay attention to the teachings at the workshop as it would help them to write reports without putting the state in jeopardy.

In a presentation, the Director Information in the Ministry of Information in the state ministry of information, Mr. Anya Nkama said the presence of USAID State2State in Ebonyi has helped in developing working documents which have been guiding Information and Public Relations Officers in handling reputation management and making them active participants in the feedback mechanism which has inturn helped the government to be more responsive to the needs of the people.

Appreciating the State2State for the workshop, participants including the Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State House of Assembly Mr Egede Sylverter and Public Relations Officer in Ministry of Grants and Donor Agencies Mr Chukwudi Nweke said he workshop has actually repositioned them on how best to carryout their jobs and thanked the USAID Nigeria State2State for the opportunity given to them.

Sessions included Good Practices for Audience Engagement on Social Media, and Review of Results Achieved by Information and Public Relations Officers in using the strategy.

Ebonyi: Two Monarchs Fight Over Control of Eguho "Community"

...We Want Autonomous Community, Stakeholders Beg Nwifuru

The traditional ruler of Ezekunna community, HRH Ezeogo Innocent Nworie and his counterpart of Ezzagu Community, HRH Ezeogo Chinedu Nwankwo in Ishielu Local Government area of Ebonyi State were at dagger drum over an overriding control and headship of Eguho "community".

Though not an autonomous community, Eguho comprises of 13 villages cohabitated by the people of Ezekunna and Ezzagu communities under the two monarchs.

However, all efforts for Eguho to gain autonomous community out of the two communities failed during the administration of the first civilian governor of the state, Dr Sam Egwu.

Meanwhile, crisis ensued when Ezeogo Chinedu Nwankwo of Ezzagu community stormed Eguho to conduct the election of the home branch executives, claiming that his Ezekunna counterpart authorized him to oversee the affairs of the place.

But Ezeogo Nworie in his swift reaction through a letter tagged "Call to Order" dated October 10, 2024 and was addressed to Ezeogo Chinedu Nwankwo, denied that he never delegated his counterpart to act, interfere and or oversee any activities going on in Eguho.

The letter reads in part: "I write to advise that you stay off from every territorial encroachment within my community Ezekunna. I want to state categorically that henceforth I don't want you to interfere on issues within my community which Eguho is inclusive".

"The boundaries of Ezekunna and Ezzagu is at the Slaughter House down to Aguobodo and Obegu Isu. I wish to state categorically clear that I am physically fit and sound to discharge my duties as the traditional ruler of Ezekunna community and have never in any way abdicated my duties nor delegated my functions to you as claimed".

"I therefore advise that you avoid anything that's capable of causing crisis between the two brother communities. This is my 24 years as the traditional ruler of Ezekunna community and even your predecessor, late Linus Enyiukpor, Ezechima 1 of Ezzagu, we have never had any issues with our territories'.

The National President of Eguho Development Union, Mr Innocent Igwe noted that the interference of the traditional rulers was capable of causing crisis between the two kindreds.

Igwe further called on state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru to intervene and quell the looming crisis by declaring Eguho as an autonomous community.

"Eguho has 13 villages and highest voting strength in the old Ezzagu zone. In Eguho, Ezzagu and Ezekunna people live interwoven in peace, unity and harmony. Eguho has large land mass. The only solution to this bickering is to make Eguho an autonomous community, the National President said.

In a letter written by Eguho Indigenous Lawyers through Barrister Hans Offia Chambers to the two warring monarchs, they maintained that none of them has exclusive jurisdiction in the affairs of Eguho since both kindreds live together in the place.

Ebonyi: Nwifuru flags-off of 2,085.00 meter Okwase-Nkaleke Internal Roads to link with Hausa Quarters, Nkaliki Road





The governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru has flaged off the construction of 2,085.00 meter Okwase-Nkaleke Internal Roads in Abakaliki local government area of the state.

Governor Nwifuru speaking while flagging off the road said the road will be extended to Hausa Quarters and Nkaliki Road, pointing out that his administration is working hard to expand the capital city from the way he meets it by creating more internal roads in the city.

The governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Works, Engnr Stanley Lebechi Mbam said
considering the economic importance of the internal roads in Nkaliki, the Okwase- Nkaleke and other ongoing road projects in the area will be completed in the next 3 months and urged stakeholders and the community members to lend their support to the project by protecting the concrete work.


“We have done a lot trying to expand the capital city from the way we meet it. We started with the new mile 50 layout which is about 4.5k completed and commissioned”.

"It will interest you to know that these roads had never got any touch of construction since the creation of Ebonyi State but our dear Governor, with his eagle eye, captured the roads into his People's Charter of Needs Mantra hence, the flag-off".


“I Want to let you know that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Ogbonna Nwifuru, is beckoned on people’s charter of needs, and he is out expanding the capital city. We have just been as if we are in a cage whereby it is only the old capital city that has access road, but I want to let you know that since he came on board, we have been able to expand the capital city.

“We have the new mile 50 road, which is about 4.5 km, and other places that have never experienced road construction before.

“This place is in the capital city. It is not only that this road is connected to this community, but it is also connected to other major roads linking Hausa quarters and the Ebyia community, so be grateful to God he is the dividend of democracy and the dividends of the people’s charter of needs.

“This road is impassable. I pity people who use this road daily, but when Governor Nwifuru came on board, he said we should look into this. I was happy because the road was connected to my community.

“join this road with other road projects in and around Nkaliki when you sum them up, it is about 4.2km but distributed around. I think 2km is coming here for the first phase, and I believe as we progress, additions will be made to it.

“We are expanding the city, and I believe as we are starting this job today, within 2 to 3 months, we should be able to complete it and move to the next phase." He stated.

Tinubu's aides to partner Minister of Works to drive 'infrastructural development agenda of Renewed Hope to communities




The Senior Special Assistants to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the six geopolitical zones on Wednesday partnered the Minister of Works, David Umahi to drive the infrastructural development of the President Tinubu-led administration to the various communities in the country.


The Senior Special Assistant to President on community engagement, South East, Mrs. Chioma Nweze, who made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen, shortly after a courtesy call to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said that the SSAs are committed to collaborate with the Minister to drive positive change and growth in the communities.

The statement reads in part: "We discussed the importance of partnership and funding to ensure that our communities are carried along in the infrastructural development of the President Tinubu-led administration.

"As we strive for inclusive growth and development, it's crucial that we engage with our communities and involve them in the decision-making process. Our meeting with the Minister of Works was a significant step towards achieving this goal. We deliberated on the various projects and initiatives that can benefit our communities and identified areas where we can collaborate to drive positive change.

"One of the key takeaways from our discussion was the need for more funding to support community development projects. We recognized that investing in our communities is essential for promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving living standards. The Minister assured us that the government is committed to supporting community development initiatives and will work with us to explore potential funding opportunities.

"Another critical aspect of our discussion was the importance of partnership and collaboration. We acknowledged that no single entity can drive development alone and that partnerships are crucial for achieving our goals. We explored potential areas for collaboration, including community engagement, project implementation, and resource mobilization.

"Our meeting with the Minister of Works was a resounding success, and we're eager to build on the momentum generated. We're committed to working closely with the Minister and his team to ensure that our communities are at the forefront of the infrastructural development agenda.

"Our meeting with the Minister of Works was a significant milestone in our efforts to promote community engagement and development. We're excited about the prospects of working together to drive positive change and look forward to exploring new opportunities for collaboration and growth" she noted.

Nweze equally reiterated the commitment of the Ministry of works to collaborate with the presidential community engagement to assess feedback on status of Federal Roads across the region.

Building Collapse; A recurring nightmare ridiculing Nigeria internationally...NIA



The Nigeria Institute of Architects(NIA), has described building collapse as a recurring nightmare ridiculing the country internationally.

The President of the NIA, Arc Adeniyi Mobolaji who stated this during their 2024 Architects symposium in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State with the theme "architecture and building collapse: the practice, reality and remedy", revealed that over 500 cases have been recorded in the country which highlights the need for stricter building regulations and enforcement to prevent the menace.

He called on members of the institute to be alive to their responsibility in building project to prevent the cases.

"Incidents of building collapse in Nigeria highlights the need for stricter building regulations and enforcement to prevent it.

"Building collapse is a recurring nightmare in Nigeria, in fact, it's becoming very embarrassing, we are almost becoming a ridicule internationally when like every other week, the building is collapsing.

"Recently, a building collapsed in Lagos, infact, Lagos is becoming epicenter for building collapses in Nigeria and it is so unfortunate. As Architects, we must confront this reality and take collective responsibility to ensuring safety and sustainability.

"We must never forget our position in building project. The Architect is the lead construction. Therefore he has an oversight over all the professionals. The statistics are alarming and this is the reality we must face. Over 500 building collapse in Nigeria since 2010 has been recorded and over 100 of lives lost", she stated.

In a lecture titled"building construction delivery process in Nigeria: the role of government and professionals in the building industry" the Managing Director of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement, Okey Ezeobi called for collaboration by professionals in the industry to tackle the cases of building collapse in the country.

He blamed the cases on the collapse of practice in the building industry and government framework on the rising cases of the menace.

In his remarks, the Chairman of NIA, Ebonyi State chapter, Dr. Emmanuel Udomiaye also called on the stakeholders in the building environment to form a synergy to tackle the monster.

He lamented that the nobility of architecture was under threat, not because architecture was no longer relevant in the 21st century, but because of the scowl neglect by those who have benefited so much from "mother architecture".

Erudite scholar, Prof Aja Akpuru Aja for burial November 9


By David Uka

The remains of the foremost and widely published academic, Professor Aja Akpuru Aja will be buried on Saturday, November 9, 2024 in his country home, Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

The University Don died on March 16, 2024, after a brief illness at 66.

A statement by Prof A. O. Unagha, Chairman, Burial Committee and Dr. E.J. Okorie, (Secretary), on behalf of the family of Nigeria’s first Minister of Education, Onyibe Aja Nwachuku, CFR, said the burial ceremony will be held at the football field of Government Secondary School, Okposi.


Professor Akpuru-Aja, a distinguished scholar in International Relations and Strategic Studies, served at Abia State University, Uturu, for 34 years, including 17 years as a full professor. He held visiting professorial positions at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, and Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State. He was, for some years, a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Near Jos, Plateau State.

An author of numerous books and articles, Prof Akpuru-Aja earned international recognition, including commendations from former U.S. President, Bill Clinton and the late Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, for his book: “The US Presidential Personalities and Power of Persuasion in Foreign Policy.” He served as a resource person to key national institutions and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s National Security and Foreign Policy.

Police raises alarm over youth restiveness, extra judicial killings in Ebonyi


By David Uka


The police in Ebonyi State, yesterday raised the alarm over youth restiveness and extra judicial killings in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital in a meeting with local government Chairmen, traditional rulers, town union Presidents and other stakeholders of various communities in the state.

She said youths in various communities in the state now take laws into their hands at will and vowed that it will bring them to book to ensure law and order.

The CP observed that many youths in the state burn properties for perceived wrong done to them while some carry out mob action against perceived suspects which has caused many deaths in the communities

She warned that the command will not only hold the perpetrators of such acts accountable but stakeholders of the communities the perpetrators come from for allowing such ugly incidents

Uche-Anya said ,"I will like to bring to your knowledge the spate of youth restiveness that we are witnessing in our communities, extra-judicial activities being carried out in our communities.

"For instance, our youths take laws into their hands, burning and destroying properties belonging to innocent people for perceived wrong done to them.

"Some carry out mob action most times leading to deaths of victims for perceived offences which are only meant for courts to determine.

"This kind of illegal activities must stop. The dangers of this kind of activities is that most times, people use it to settle scores with perceived enemies. Some times, they set people up and people start reasoning or thinking, the deed would have been done.

"Since I came, there have been several of such activities. Some due to prompt response, we were able to save the victims, some others before help could come, suffered extreme case of fatal situation leading to deaths.

"I am pleading with all of us that this kind of activities must stop. We have legal way of ensuring that justice is done. I employ all of us to follow due process, otherwise, I will not hold only the perpetrators accountable, but the stakeholders in the communities that could not hold their wards or their youths to order"

The Police Commissioner said she called the meeting for the stakeholders to join hands with the police to police their communities and maintain law and order.

"This meeting is essentially to meet our major stakeholders of the communities we serve. My business here in Ebonyi State is to maintain law and order and ensure security of lives and properties.

"The business of security is now a whole of collective approach,it's every body's business and police on our own, we can't do it alone.

"So, we plead with you to partner with us in ensuring that we secure Ebonyi State and that peace reigns in the state,", she stated.

Gov Nwifuru flags off disbursement of N300m Agric empowerment grant to100 Ebonyi trained farmers





Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has flaged off the disbursement of ₦3,000,000 grants to 100 beneficiaries of the State Government's Agricultural Empowerment Programme who have completed their advanced farming training at Masters Skills Training Centre, Agbani, Enugu State.

The beneficiaries were trained in freshry, poultry, piggery and other departments of modern agricultural practices.

The governor while flagging off the disbursement at old Exco-Chambers, old Government House, Abakaliki, said each of the 100 beneficiaries of the agriculture empowerment programme would receive 3 million Naira.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, congratulated the beneficiaries and commended them for their active participation during their training at Agbani farm. He, however, advised them to utilize the opportunity to expand their farms for the benefit of humanity.

"Your selection to be beneficiaries of this empowerment programme from the 13 local government areas in our state was not because you are best but by the grace of God.

"I advise you to make use of this opportunity very well, to advance your farms and for the benefit of humanity. Try to empower others, by having a master plan on how to use the money," he said.

Governor Nwifuru announced plans to enroll over 200 persons, including the 171 Ward Councillors of the State in another Agric Training Nasarawa State for subsequent empowerment and advised the beneficiaries to remain good ambassadors of the state.

Also, the State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs Ann Aligwe advised the beneficiaries not to divert the funds to any other business except for the development of their farms to become self-relevant, wealth creators and employers of labour in the state.

Aligwe recalled that the state governor has embarked on a series of empowerment programmes, citing the examples of 2 million Naira empowerment to hawkers and one million Naira empowerment to over 1500 youths each, among others.

The commissioner said, apart from the first beneficiaries of the FONEP agriculture training, another 100 persons have been selected for the training at Agbani farm while another 200 persons would take off from Ebonyi for the same training at Nasarawa state soon.

The beneficiaries, through their Coordinator, Fabian Adagba, applauded Governor Nwifuru for empowering them and explained that they have been equipped with advanced agricultural skills, including production, processing, packaging and marketing of farm produce.

Adagba noted that apart from livestock farming, the beneficiaries were trained in crop farming, especially in rice, cassava and oil plant farming, and urged the state government to intensify efforts on monitoring to encourage them to put the best of the knowledge acquired in the field.

He recommended the state government establish a practical agricultural skills training centre and animal feed mill production centre and convert FONEP into a cooperative society to facilitate the expansion of the training exercise and include more beneficiaries in Ebonyi State.

Alleged Bribery: Group absolves Ebonyi Commissioner for LG



A civil society organisation, Ebonyi First Vanguard has condemned some media report against Ebonyi Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Uchenna Igwe, over the family of the late traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community in Ishielu LGA of the State Late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor (Onwa Fuo Igboamaru II of Nkalaha).


At a press conference in Abakaliki the Director-general, of the group Eze Monday who dismissed the allegations against the Commissioner, described it as baseless, unfounded and smacks of bad faith to tarnish the good reputation of the Commissioner.


Recall that in a complaint addressed to the Governor of the state, written by the family’s attorney, E. Emeka Anosike & Associates, they alleged abuse of office by the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, saying that the recognition of one Mr. Thompson I. Ebeh on the 1st of October, 2024, as the new traditional ruler of the Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state was not done with due process.

They equally maintained in the petition that the late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor, during his lifetime, was recognized as a traditional ruler of the Nkalaha Autonomous Community on the 26/8/2020 by the former Governor of the State, Engr. David Umahi, “a position he held until his demise on the 24th day of May, 2024, after a brief illness.”.



The group expressed shock on the blackmail against Igwe and challenged the late Okwor family to show prove of the allegations against the Commissioner or tender unreserved public apology to him and Ebonyi people




He said: "The attention of Ebonyi First Vanguard has been drawn to the baseless media blackmail levied by the family of the late traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community in Ishielu LGA in league with other unpopular beneficiaries of the old order on media spaces against Ebonyi Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, who has refused to flinch in his commitment to transparently implement the democratic agenda of Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs administration led by His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru".

"This press statement has become necessary to put the records straight and prevent the intended deception of the gullible Ebonyi masses by unscrupulous elements who resent the termination of injustice and tyranny on which they thrived and the nascent wind of positive change which the Nwifuru's administration symbolizes for Ebonyi people".

"The unsubstantiated accusations that the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Ebonyi State, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, a gentleman known for contentment, extorted money from a dead man and another living traditional ruler is far-fetched, unfounded and smacks of bad faith. Ebonyi First Vanguard hereby challenges the late Okwor family of Nkalaha Community to show prove of their criminal allegations against the commissioner or tender unreserved public apology to Hon. Uchenna Igwe and Ebonyi people for that infantile attempt to impeach the character of an innocent Ebonyian".


To put the records straight, the group stated that:

"The late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor was dethroned by the High Court of Ebonyi State sitting in Ezzamgbo Judicial Division presided over by His Lordship, Honourable Justice H. A. Njoku, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, 11th June, 2015 in suit number HK/14/2009 between Chief Michael Ominyi and Thompson Ebe & 7 others".

"That the said judgement declared Chief Thompson Ebe as the "duly elected Eze of Nkalaha Autonomous Community and ordered for unencumbered recognition of Chief Thompson Ebe".

" That purported recognition of late Augustine Okwor as Ezeogo of Nkalaha Community in contempt of the judgement of the court of competent jurisdiction was a procured through deceit and misrepresentation of facts to the previous administration".

"That the anomalous recognition of the late Augustine Okwor was continuously protested by the people of Nkalaha Community to the point that the previous administration of Ebonyi State which recognized the late Augustine Okwor had to set up an Executive Council Committee chaired by Dr. Chris Achi to look into the Nkalaha Eze tussle and make recommendations to the administration in 2019".

"The Dr. Chris Achi-led EXCO committee on Nkalaha Eze tussle established that Chief Thompson Ebe was the winner of the Nkalaha Eze election held on 6th December, 2008 and recommended the withdrawal of both the staff of office and certificate of recognition given to late Augustine Okwor; and the presentation of Chief Thompson Ebe to the former Governor for recognition".

"On 28th August, 2023, the people of Nkalaha Community wrote to the present Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, demanding for the implementation of both the High Court judgement and recommendations of the EXCO committee on Nkalaha Community Ezeogo seat. Governor Francis Nwifuru directed Executive Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Hon. John O. Onwe, to investigate the matter and revert. The Ishielu council chairman set up a 7-man committee chaired by Barr Augustine Owo. On 02/11/2023, this committee, like the High Court of Ebonyi State and the Ebonyi State Exco committee led by Dr. Chris Achi, recommended the withdrawal of the recognition of Augustine Okwor as Ezeogo of Nkalaha and the presentation both staff of office and certificate of recognition to Chief Thompson Ebe, the Eze - elect of Nkalaha Autonomous Community".

"On 20th June, 2024, the people of Nkalaha Community wrote to the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, notifying him of the unfortunate departure on 24th May, 2024 of the embattled Augustine Okwor and praying for the presentation of staff of office and certificate of recognition as traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community to Chief Thompson Ebe. This culminated in the recognition of Ezeogo Thompson Ebe as the traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community, alongside other traditional rulers-elect of other communities in Ebonyi State on 1st October, 2024!"

"The other allegation that Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, stopped the construction of the building graciously approved for the late Augustine Okwor is another lie from the pit of hell. Investigations show that the building project is on-going and has progressed more than those of many living traditional rulers in many communities of Ebonyi State. The contractor handling that particular project is alive and can attest that no stop order has been issued to him by the commissioner or any other person or authority." The group stated.

Alleged Bribery: Group absolves Ebonyi Commissioner for LG



A civil society organisation, Ebonyi First Vanguard has condemned some media report against Ebonyi Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Uchenna Igwe, over the family of the late traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community in Ishielu LGA of the State Late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor (Onwa Fuo Igboamaru II of Nkalaha).


At a press conference in Abakaliki the Director-general, of the group Eze Monday who dismissed the allegations against the Commissioner, described it as baseless, unfounded and smacks of bad faith to tarnish the good reputation of the Commissioner.


Recall that in a complaint addressed to the Governor of the state, written by the family’s attorney, E. Emeka Anosike & Associates, they alleged abuse of office by the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, saying that the recognition of one Mr. Thompson I. Ebeh on the 1st of October, 2024, as the new traditional ruler of the Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state was not done with due process.

They equally maintained in the petition that the late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor, during his lifetime, was recognized as a traditional ruler of the Nkalaha Autonomous Community on the 26/8/2020 by the former Governor of the State, Engr. David Umahi, “a position he held until his demise on the 24th day of May, 2024, after a brief illness.”.



The group expressed shock on the blackmail against Igwe and challenged the late Okwor family to show prove of the allegations against the Commissioner or tender unreserved public apology to him and Ebonyi people




He said: "The attention of Ebonyi First Vanguard has been drawn to the baseless media blackmail levied by the family of the late traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community in Ishielu LGA in league with other unpopular beneficiaries of the old order on media spaces against Ebonyi Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, who has refused to flinch in his commitment to transparently implement the democratic agenda of Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs administration led by His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru".

"This press statement has become necessary to put the records straight and prevent the intended deception of the gullible Ebonyi masses by unscrupulous elements who resent the termination of injustice and tyranny on which they thrived and the nascent wind of positive change which the Nwifuru's administration symbolizes for Ebonyi people".

"The unsubstantiated accusations that the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Ebonyi State, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, a gentleman known for contentment, extorted money from a dead man and another living traditional ruler is far-fetched, unfounded and smacks of bad faith. Ebonyi First Vanguard hereby challenges the late Okwor family of Nkalaha Community to show prove of their criminal allegations against the commissioner or tender unreserved public apology to Hon. Uchenna Igwe and Ebonyi people for that infantile attempt to impeach the character of an innocent Ebonyian".


To put the records straight, the group stated that:

"The late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor was dethroned by the High Court of Ebonyi State sitting in Ezzamgbo Judicial Division presided over by His Lordship, Honourable Justice H. A. Njoku, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, 11th June, 2015 in suit number HK/14/2009 between Chief Michael Ominyi and Thompson Ebe & 7 others".

"That the said judgement declared Chief Thompson Ebe as the "duly elected Eze of Nkalaha Autonomous Community and ordered for unencumbered recognition of Chief Thompson Ebe".

" That purported recognition of late Augustine Okwor as Ezeogo of Nkalaha Community in contempt of the judgement of the court of competent jurisdiction was a procured through deceit and misrepresentation of facts to the previous administration".

"That the anomalous recognition of the late Augustine Okwor was continuously protested by the people of Nkalaha Community to the point that the previous administration of Ebonyi State which recognized the late Augustine Okwor had to set up an Executive Council Committee chaired by Dr. Chris Achi to look into the Nkalaha Eze tussle and make recommendations to the administration in 2019".

"The Dr. Chris Achi-led EXCO committee on Nkalaha Eze tussle established that Chief Thompson Ebe was the winner of the Nkalaha Eze election held on 6th December, 2008 and recommended the withdrawal of both the staff of office and certificate of recognition given to late Augustine Okwor; and the presentation of Chief Thompson Ebe to the former Governor for recognition".

"On 28th August, 2023, the people of Nkalaha Community wrote to the present Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, demanding for the implementation of both the High Court judgement and recommendations of the EXCO committee on Nkalaha Community Ezeogo seat. Governor Francis Nwifuru directed Executive Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Hon. John O. Onwe, to investigate the matter and revert. The Ishielu council chairman set up a 7-man committee chaired by Barr Augustine Owo. On 02/11/2023, this committee, like the High Court of Ebonyi State and the Ebonyi State Exco committee led by Dr. Chris Achi, recommended the withdrawal of the recognition of Augustine Okwor as Ezeogo of Nkalaha and the presentation both staff of office and certificate of recognition to Chief Thompson Ebe, the Eze - elect of Nkalaha Autonomous Community".

"On 20th June, 2024, the people of Nkalaha Community wrote to the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, notifying him of the unfortunate departure on 24th May, 2024 of the embattled Augustine Okwor and praying for the presentation of staff of office and certificate of recognition as traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community to Chief Thompson Ebe. This culminated in the recognition of Ezeogo Thompson Ebe as the traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community, alongside other traditional rulers-elect of other communities in Ebonyi State on 1st October, 2024!"

"The other allegation that Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, stopped the construction of the building graciously approved for the late Augustine Okwor is another lie from the pit of hell. Investigations show that the building project is on-going and has progressed more than those of many living traditional rulers in many communities of Ebonyi State. The contractor handling that particular project is alive and can attest that no stop order has been issued to him by the commissioner or any other person or authority." The group stated.

2024 WTD: NUT advocates value for teachers' voices towards educational, societal development.


Marking the 2024 World Teachers Day on Saturday, 5th October in Ebonyi, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT has emphasized the need to value the knowledge, voice and participation of teachers in decision-making in the education sector and general societal development.

The NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, who made the call at the union's Secretariat, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital, said, the theme of the WTD celebration for the year centred on "Valuing teacher voices towards a new social contract for Education.

The theme, according to Audu, represented by Comrade Lagha-Owei Fyneman Zik, the AOPSHON National President, "highlights the important role teachers play in shaping the future of education and society, and the need to value their knowledge, voice and participation in decision making in education."

The President stated that education around the globe is in crisis, saying the rapidly changing world has been faced with numerous emerging challenges such as climate change, technical expansion and digital divide, demographic changes, armed conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics and other emergencies.

"These developments have impacted the education landscape, leading to inequalities and crises of equity and relevance. This situation underscores the need for a social contract which must be built on principles that assure the right to quality education throughout life and strengthen education as a public endeavour and a public good (UNESCO, 2021.)

Audu further lamented that the new challenges and new trends in education have placed a greater burden on teachers and expanded their roles, pointing out that, "the teachers are required to build their capacities to help learners acquire new knowledge, skills, values and competencies they need to shape their lives and to be relevant and useful players in today's knowledge society.

"This year's World Teachers Day, therefore, emphasizes the need to address the systematic challenges faced by teachers, to strengthen social dialogue, and to incorporate teachers' perspectives into educational policy and decision-making; they need supportive environments and better working conditions to ensure effective education delivery, and to meet the needs of society and demands of the 21st century," he added.

He recalled that NUT recently launched the "Go Public! Fund Education Campaign," a global call spearheaded by Education International (EI) for adequate funding of education and the teaching profession. He stressed the need for launching an education promotional campaign because poor funding and inadequate investment in education constitute a major barrier to the effective implantation of educational policies and programmes in Nigeria.

"This year's World Teachers Day provides us another opportunity to launch the Go Public! Fund Education Campaign at the state level with a view of amplifying and deepening our call on tiers of government to invest adequately in education and the teaching profession to ensure the provision of quality Public education for all."

He also recalled that the age-long demand of the NUT for upward review of the teachers' retirement age was addressed when former President Muhammad Buhari signed into law the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill.

In his words, the law has provided for the retirement of teachers on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of service.
He disclosed that 23 states and Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja have so far implemented the law, and however advised the remaining 13 states to implement it without further delay to address manpower and other needs in the school system across the nation.

In his address, the NUT Chairman in Ebonyi State, Comrade Ekechi Francis Okorie recalled the historic antecedents of the WTD, which he said, owes its origin to the Conference of the Ministers of Affiliate Nations to the International Labour Organization and United Education Scientific and Cultural Organization, ILO/UNESCO who on October 5th 1966 converged in Geneva, Switzerland to consider ILO/UNESCO document on recommendations concerning the status of teachers and education.

To clarify the recommendations, according to Ekechi, it addressed the parlours state of teachers and social disregard for the profession all over the world, particularly in Nigeria where teaching has become all comers affair.

He noted that the event was targeted at establishing a minimum standard and framework for the welfare of teachers, their social security and professional relevance in the educational, political and economic life of the nations in the world.

He described teachers as character moulders and nation builders in considering their pivotal roles in shaping the future by nurturing and impacting students and driving educational programs' progress.

"However, to fully harness teachers' potentials, it is crucial and imperative that their voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process that affects their profession. The importance of valuing teachers' voices underscores the need to integrate their perception into educational policies and foster a supportive environment for the development of the teaching profession and that of education," he said.

He called for collective synergy to improve teachers' service delivery in the discharge of their call in the teaching profession.

Ekechi commended the giant strides and policy trust of Governor Francis Nwifuru in reshaping and revamping the education sector in Ebonyi State, saying he has done well in ensuring the working condition of teachers is enhanced through partnering with them during the last edition of the World Teachers Day.

He extolled Governor Nwifuru for having appointed some teachers as Permanent Secretaries into the state ministries, boards, and parastatals. He described the approval of an extension of teachers' service years by Nwifuru as a bold step to encourage better service delivery in the teaching profession in the state.

He thanked the governor for having granted a waiver for the recruitment of one thousand (1,000) teachers in the state public secondary schools for corresponding replacement of those who exited the profession either by death, retirement or research for greener pastures, also "being among the first governor from the South Eastern Geo- political zone to approve the payment of new minimum wage and regular payments of teachers salaries."

He however, tasked all the council chairmen in the state to prioritize the payment of the teachers' salaries as approved by the Federal High Court and Governor Nwifuru who okayed the autonomy of the local government, given the experience of the past where teachers were owed for months due to the inability of the council to shoulder such huge responsibility.

Ekechi praised Governor Nwifuru for embarking on the promotion of teachers from 2021 till date, establishment of Ebonyi State University of Aerospace and Engineering in Ezza land and University of ICT in Oferekpe in Izzi, described the move as his penchant for giving education a priority in the present administration.

In his new appeal to the governor, the NUT Chairman said: "Like Oliver Twist, we are passionately calling for approval for the payment of the teachers' promotion arrears, approval for the payment of 8/10 months salary arrears of those teachers who were recaptured as a result of the service elongation.

"Others are in-service training if teachers for more quality service years delivery, approval for recruitment of more teachers in the employ of State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB as the UNESCO recommended teachers-pupil ratio of 1.35 has skyrocketed to 1.50 owing to a dearth of the teaching personnel in the employ of SUBEB and assistance for the reconstruction of the union's parameter fence that collapsed.

"Your Excellency Sir, considering the busy schedule of the union's leadership and its frequent journeys, the union passionately requests your consideration for the donation of the 18-seater bus to augment the ageing one that was purchased decades ago."

Also, the NUT State Secretary, Basil Asuquo, pleaded with the government at all levels to employ more teachers in public schools, make the environment conducive, and prioritize the welfare of the education workforce by increasing their salaries.

"The government should pay rural allowance to teachers in the hinterlands to motivate more teachers to go to the rural communities to teach, "Asuquo pleaded.

Delivering his keynote speech during the event, Dr Emmanuel Chike Onwe, a former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi, urged teachers to maintain self-efficacy in the teaching profession, describing them as the true heroes of progress in society.

He wondered why teachers are normally taken for granted in society, saying they are known as the backseaters. Onwe, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Ebonyi State University, EBSU, recommended that teachers should be paid like Senators. "We are happy that Ebonyi State Governor promised to strengthen public schools, but if governments are sincere, they should pay teachers more than Senators, because poverty makes one not to be recognized. Salary is what they pay you to shut up.

"But the truth is that teachers should not be treated as civil servants. If the head teachers are given such cars as our governor gave to the resident doctors, the story will change," the Keynote speaker said.

He urged the teachers to think about how to create self-employment opportunities for themselves, stressing that after God and the priest, the next authority is teachers, and they needed to maintain self-efficacy. He urged the teachers to shun laziness but rather learn and relearn to be effective in their duties by grasping and delivering the knowledge of the new trends by acquiring hard and soft skills.

The university don recommended that the administration officers should give teachers more access in decision making process especially on education issues and organizing seminars and workshops for them regularly.

The Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education in the state, Prof Paul Awo Nwobashi, said teachers must comply with what is going on, especially by being ICT compliant for effective delivery.

"Some of you don't have an Android phone, and some of you are even afraid to touch a laptop; teachers are always under-grading themselves. They agreed to belong to the ordinary class, and that's not supposed to be so, because you made the classes, engineers, doctors, leaders, everything, and you are the builders.

"We wish you organize workshops and invite facilitators to talk so that your morale can be boasted because, in most countries, teachers are most paid workers," Nwobashi observed.

The Commissioner early disclosed that Ebonyi ranked third on high quality literacy among the Nigerian youths, urging the teachers to put more effort getting the pupils and students on the right side of educational quality.


The State Head of Service, Mrs Ritamary Okoro who represented Governor Francis Nwifuru at the event, equally advised teachers to work on quality representation; saying his administration appointed their members to be permanent secretaries and assured more recognition would be given to those in the teaching profession while in office.

He observed that the celebration of teachers every 5th of October had become an annual ritual meant to commemorate their efforts towards nation-building and the significance of promoting the teaching profession around the globe.

He expressed joy that the occasion would unveil the ethical roles of every teacher to play in reshaping the future of children and the entire populace as far as education is concerned.

Nwifuru said his administration understands that teachers are the backbone of the educational institutions, and that necessitated the ongoing recruitment of over 1,000 teachers and other projects already embarked on to develop the education sector in the state.

Senator Nwebonyi flags off another 1.5km road construction


The Senate Deputy Chief whip and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial district Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi has flagged off
another 1.5kms road construction at Obama village, Obegu Azuiyiokwu Inyimegu in Abakaliki local government area of Ebonyi North.

This makes the total number of over 20kms of roads attracted within one and half years as a Senator.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the flag off, Senator Nwebonyi said the road which will be constructed on rigid concrete pavement of six inches will serve the people of the Zone, Ebonyi State and Nigeria in the area of smooth road transportation of goods and services.

"This road bearing Chief Emma Uguru Street transversing Dandilas, Mechanic site and inyimegu village which is over 1.5kms will be constructed on rigid concrete pavement of six inches using Chinese Technology for the construction of concrete road in order to ensure its smoothness and durability"

"I have, by the grace of God, surpassed all my campaign promises because I believe that leadership is a social contract".

I came prepared to serve humanity, I didn’t just come to grab power but to set a precedence so that long after I must have left the seat, I would be a reference points for other contestants of Ebonyi North Senatorial district. That is why, I went to China to understudy their concrete road technology and discovered that it’s better to use machine instead of manual laying of concrete".

" Therefore, this project being handled by Clin Construction Company Nigeria Ltd will be a litmus test for concrete road technology in Nigeria. As I construct the road, I will add street lights and will soon commence another 1.5kms to jam rice Mill and other environs.”

He called on the people to continue to support the administration of President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy adding that he is only complementing the giant infrastructural drive of Governor Nwifuru at the grassroots level.

He also appreciated Mr President for making available all the projects, fertilizers and farm inputs which he equitably distributed to his constituency including the 365kms Ukwuachi Mbeke Ishieke Ebonyi -Abuja link road among others.”

Tinubu's aide urges South East Students to key into student loan scheme



The Senior Special Assistant to the President on community engagement (South East) Mrs. Chioma Nweze has urged South East Students to key into student loan scheme introduced by the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Mrs Nweze who made the call
during the maiden South East citizens engagement at Ebonyi State University, EBSU and University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Enugu State said the administration of President Tinubu had shown commitment to the youths by setting the student loan scheme and other incentives aimed at alleviating economic hardships in the country.


Our correspondent reports that, Nweze visited the Ebonyi State University, EBSU, UNN and University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC to enlighten lectures/ students of the South East region on the need to participate/ apply for the federal government's education fund/ loans and other opportunities available to the academic community.

The Senior Special Assistant called the students to apply for the loan to enable them cushion the effects of economic hardships in the country.

According to her: "The purpose of this South East engagement is to educate Nigerian universities and students on the importance of NELFUND and why the students need the loan, What they should do to access the loan and why they should tell other Nigerian students to do what they are doing. South East have taken the forefront in a lot of things and we want to tell us that there is nothing wrong in taking the loan.

"Anything that federal government brings, let's be part of it, if it is grants, lets take it, and if it is loan let's take it and if it is money for research, let's take it. Let our universities be at the forefront and we shouldn't be last.

Nweze, emphasized that: "Today's engagement is crucial as we delve into the Nigeria Education Loan Fund(NELFUND), its objectives, eligibility criteria, and application process. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu's administration's efforts to address Nigeria's economic challenges through various poverty alleviation programmes. It's essential to note that these policies are still unfolding, and their effectiveness will manifest in fullness of time" she said.

Responding, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sanyerr said: "every student get opportunity to access this loan. I will fail in my job, if it only goes to one set of people and not to everybody. I am here in the South East region to plead with the students, that they must apply for this loan to enable them overcome their challenges.

"The main purpose that I'm here in the south east is to let the people of the area know that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled an election promise, to affect many areas of the lives of Nigerian citizens, and education is one of them. And one of the program within the education, is this students loan fund. Which seeks to provide loans to students who are Nigerian, who has the capacity and ability to engage and take their education further" he stated.

In a sperate reactions, the Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, however applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the students loan, which according to him, will help to tackle the rate of students dropout and reduce social vices in the country.

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu said: "This visit will motivate our students to participate in this program. You know that universities in Nigeria will always have their list of problems because of the economy. And this loan will help our students to solve their financial problems.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC, Prof. Aloysius Okolie said: "the loan will help us to reduce the burden we are facing in this university, this is because, everyday I go out searching for my friends who will come to pay school fees of the students. With this loan, I will now channel my energy in other things" he stated.

Ebony STC, OGP Conclude joint Review Meeting, Develop Action Plan for Reform Sustainability

Ebonyi State Transformation Committee STC and the Open Government Partnership has concluded a three day review meeting with the development of a joint action plans to to sustain successes recorded through the programmes

Speaking at the three-day review meeting held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu from 25th to 27th September 2024, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Grace Umezurike said the State has gained a lot from the programmes of USAID State2State. She noted the readiness of government to institutionalize the reforms that will further guarantee good governance and actualization of the people’s charter of needs policy of the State.

The SSG who is the Co-Chair of the State Transformation Committee (STC), also advocated for the extension of USAID State2State activities in the State, to allow for more capacity building and effective ownership of the reforms that have placed the State on a global map.
On his part, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chief Mathias Adum thanked USAID State2State for their various intervention programmes, trainings and activities aimed at ensuring due process, standard and good governance as been witnessed in the priority sectors. He pledged that his office would continue to collaborate with the OGP team to achieve the objectives of State2state programmes in Ebonyi State.

In his opening remarks, the State Team Lead of USAID State2State, Dr. Sam Onyia said the joint meeting of the STC and OGP members was to harmonize their plans and activities for a greater synergy in achieving good governance in Ebonyi State.

“We expect that at the end of this review meeting, the outcome will be a joint action plan for effective coordination and collaboration between STC and OGP towards achieving sustainable development in the State.

“The State Transformation Committee is State2State's highest organ for promoting public financial management reforms in the state , coordinate governance issues, improving effectiveness, accountability and transparency, especially in priority sectors of primary health, basic education and WASH.

The Open Government Partnership (OGP)promotes better relations between the government and the people for transparency and good governance.in Ebonyi, Its pillars Fiscal Transparency, Access to Information, Citizens’ Engagement, Border Peace and Conflict Management.

“So, bringing both STC and OGP together is to enhance coordination, collaboration, synergy and sustainability of these reforms. When the two bodies come together to harmonize what they are doing, and have proper collaboration and coordination, the next task would be to achieve consolidation, institutionalization and proper sustainability”, he stated.

Also speaking, USAID State2State Communication Specialist, Nneka Acholonu Egbunna and the GESI Specialist, Ejiro Okotie, emphasized that the joint meeting would strengthen the platform for collaboration and synergy between STC and OGP members. They maintained that the two groups would jointly review the STC Reform Sustainability Plan and the OGP State Action plan to ensure that the drivers of these reform plans are working toward the goal of inclusive good governance in Ebonyi State.

On their part, the co-chair of OGP and Executive Director of DIGFoundation, Chief Oliver Aja Chima, and his counterpart in STC, Mr. Eleri Ewa who was represented by Lovenda Nnachi, said the collaboration between government and civil society organization organizations (CSOs) have been very fruitful. They noted that the joint review meeting was an important milestone and thanked Ebonyi State government for its commitment to implementing the reforms supported by State2State in the State. They harped on need for greater synergy to improve on the success so far recorded, through consolidation and sustainability plans.

Highlights of the three-day review meeting were the development of joint Action Plan for the effective implementation of the STC Reform sustainability plan and the OGP State Action Plan. Others include a seven point communiqué and recommendations on how government can own the reforms in the State, through the establishment of the State transformation office to be domiciled in the Governor’s office and to be headed by a Director in the State Civil Service.

Cholera outbreak: Ebonyi Senator donates 120million for provision of motorized borehole




The Deputy Senate Chief Whip and Senator Representing Ebonyi North at the National Assembly Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has donated One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Million Naira(120,000,000.00) only for the provision of motorized borehole in the selected community of within his Senatorial district.

The Senator also promised to distribute twenty five (25) hand pump boreholes across his Senatorial district as a way of giving his people portable water for better life.

Nwebonyi disclosed this in an interview with journalists while sympathizing with families of cholera victims within his Senatorial district.

He however urged the people of his Senatorial district to take precautionary measures to end the further spread of the disease.

"The outbreak of cholera is very unfortunate, I want to use this medium to sympathize with the family of those that have lost their dear one in the cause of the deadly disease. However, the Senator urged the people to take precautionary measures to end the spread of the disease. I have also contacted the ministry of Health for intervention and I am going home with drugs to immunize the people to avoid contacting the disease.

"Knowing that cholera is a water borne disease, and water is one of the essential needs, as I speak to you, I have voted 120million Naira for provision of motorized borehole in the selected community of Ebonyi North Senatorial district. Outside that, I have 25 hand pump boreholes that will be distributed across Ebonyi North Senatorial district all gears giving our people portable water for better life".

Chuba Okadigbo Airport flight resumption: We're waiting NCAA's approval for operations... Obichukwu





Ebonyi State Commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, has said that flight operations of the Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Onueke is expected to commence soon



Obichukwu who stated this in an interview with journalists shortly after the independence anniversary celebration of Nigeria at 64 and creation of Ebonyi State at 28, at the governor's office, centenary city Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State said "it is the NCAA and FAN that will give accurate date".


She said government had engaged the
necessary authorities and regulatory agencies and waiting their approval for flight operations .


She noted that the creation of Ebonyi State by the former head of state, late Sani Abachi brought greater development and progress to the people of the state.

"The birth of Ebonyi State has brought so many good dividends in the State. Ebonyi has been in Goodluck having good governors that their administrations have played for the 28 years and I appreciate God for that. We are celebrating in Economic development, social development, regional development, general administration and we are thankful to God and we appreciate Gov. Nwifuru.

"We are already engaging necessary authorities regulation, regulatory that we give us the permission. So right now, we have passed almost all their tests we where waiting for the friction test and all the other test that was needed and now by the Grace of God, we are getting through.

"I plead with Ebonyi people Aviation is like hospital, we are talking about safety of lives, is not ordinary buy and sale in the market so everything that needs to be done should be done in accurate regulations.


Speaking on the amount spent by governor Francis Nwifuru on the rehabilitation of the Chuba Okadigbo's airport, the commissioner said that it is not quantifiable and that there are other renovations going on at the airport.

"The runway cost N17 billion and we are happy that even the NCCA that came, they applauded our Governor Nwifuru for a good job well done, after the measured the road , shoulder, everything around the runway was accurate and we are happy.

"So the funds spent so is determined by federal ministry of aviation quantity surveyors are working on it. There are so many things that needs to be done and we are hoping to get through it. On how to generate IGR, the commissioner said " I am very sure of IGR. The airport is the catalyst to the economic development of any State.

"In the country we have 22 airport which 5 among them are international airports and Ebonyi is going to be one immediately we receive the license to start flying and looking at the strategy position of the airport, our catchment areas are not in doubt talk of ikom, Benue, kogi and Abia this are the areas we are hoping and is not only the human traffic we are talking of cargo airport in other to address the market flow of Ebonyi State.

"We are going to be linking with other countries and I have started receiving applications from Dubai so that they could be coming here to buy our produce and go back to their country. So the economic revival and boost cannot be emphasize once we commence flight operation" she stated.

NUJ Lauds Nwifuru's development strides



Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council has lauded Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his giant strides in infrastructure and human capital development.

Chairman of NUJ in the State, Comrade Nwafor Samson, made the commendation on Friday shortly after the tour of some projects of the Governor, across the State by members of NUJ, as part of activities to mark this year's 2024 Press Week.

Nwafor who led other Journalists to the project sites noted that the Governor had demonstrated capacity in delivering good governance to the people through his People's Charter of needs agenda.

At the site of the ongoing ICT University, Oferekpe, University of Aeronautic Engineering, Ezza, and the Vanco flyover projects, Comrade Nwafor described the projects as signature projects that would place the State on the global map.

According to him, the two universities when completed would create jobs for the teeming youths of the State.

The State NUJ boss also commended Governor Nwifuru on the aggressive road infrastructure scattered across the state as well as the Izzo and Amaze housing Units being constructed for displaced victims of communal crisis, even as he called on all the Contractors handling all the projects to deliver on time and according to specifications for the benefits of the people of the State.

Nwafor who condemned the slow pace of work at the Amaze section of the housing units, called on the contractors handling the projects not to take the Governor's magnanimity for granted.

"We strongly condemn the slow pace of work, particularly at Amaze housing units.

"From our findings, the State government was religious in meeting its own part of the contract terms, so it will be an act of betrayal on the part of the Contractors not to respect the contract terms.

"We understand that the State Government gave the contract of building the housing units to indigenous contractors to promote local content and stop Capital flight. We therefore urge the contractors not to take the Governor's magnanimity for granted," Nwafor said.

Speaking on the total renovation of the State owned Radio and Television station, Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), the NUJ Chairman described the total overhaul done in both infrastructure and equipment of the station by Governor Nwifuru as unprecedented.

He added that Governor Nwifuru had no doubt demonstrated his love for the Media and assured of the Union's readiness to sustain the support and partnership that exist between the government and Journalists in the State.

"As a body, we deeply commend the Governor for the priority attention his administration has given to the only State owned radio and television station. This total overhaul on the station as well as the approval for the reconstruction of the Director-General's quarters as well as other welfare interventions for the staff of the Corporation is a demonstration of his love for the Media, and we thank the Governor for this unprecedented feat and assure him of our continuous support and partnership", Nwafor added.

Other projects visited by NUJ include: Ezillo/Iyonu/Ezzagu road, ongoing construction of palaces for traditional Rulers in the State, Pulverization plant, Chuba Okadigbo airport runway, primary and school building projects, among other projects.END//

Ooni of Ife appoints Ebonyi man diaspora rep



The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has appointed an Ebonyi born business magnate, Ani Uzoma, popularly known as Soul 2 Soul, as his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on International Business and Culture (South East) on Diaspora Matters.


In an appointment letter dated 9th September, 2024 which became effective from 15th September 2024, the revered royal father noted that the appointment will offer Mr. Ani the opportunity to interface with his friends and business partners from the South East region who reside outside the shores of Nigeria.


This appointment underscores Ooni's love for the people of the South East region of Nigeria, and further proved his untiring commitment to a united and prosperous Nigeria.


Ani, a former Executive Assistant (EA) to the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, on Internal Security hails from Onicha Igboeze, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Ani had equally served as a Senior Technical Assistant to the former Governor on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment before his elevation as Executive Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security.

Group felicitates Ekumankama on inauguration for 2nd term

--Urges him to consolidate on achievements


By Dave Uka

A socio political group, Mezie Edda Grassroot Movement, MEGA has felicitated the Executive Chairman of Edda council area,Prince Chima Ekumankama on his electoral victory and subsequent inauguration for a second term in office encouraging him to consolidate on his earlier achievements for Ndi Edda through more good works.


The Vice Chairman of the group, chief Ogbonnaya Eberechukwu who stated this in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki during the inaugural ceremony of the chairman, noted that Ekumankama’s victory at the poll was as a result of his outstanding performance in his first tenure in office.

He explained that the second term would give the chairman the needed time to consolidate on his developmental strides in the local government in his quest to build a stronger and united Edda.

He described Chima as a grassroot politician whose passion and dedication to service have set a high bar for leadership in the local government council.

He called the people of Edda Clan to continue to rally round Hon Ekumankama as he expressed confidence that his second tenure would surely bring even greater progress and transformative achievements that would uplift the lives of the people and set new standards of governance.

Chief Eberechukwu who reaffirmed the group unwavering support and loyalty to the administration prayed that the grace that marked his first tenure would continue to guide and strengthen him throughout his second tenure.

He also used the opportunity to thanked the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru and Chief Stanley Emegha, the All Progressives Congress state party chairman for providing a peaceful political environment for the emergence of Hon Ekumankama for second term in office.

He described the group Mezie Edda Grassroot Movement as a movement of the entire Edda towards solidification of the political platform of the entire Edda Clan so that they can speak with one voice and do things accordingly.

Izzo/ Amanze housing Project: Ebonyi govt vows to prosecute default contractors



By Ukah Dave

Ebonyi State government has vowed to arrest and prosecute default contractors delaying the completion of 140 housing units in Izzo and Amanze communities, Ishielu local government area of the state.

The State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Honourable Engineer Francis Ori, who disclosed this in Abakaliki during a joint press briefing with the State Commissioner for Information, Hon.Jude Chikadibia okpor
threatened that any of the contractor that fails to complete the project after 25th September, 2024, would be arrested and prosecuted.

The 140 three-bedroom bungalows which would be used to resettle the displaced persons in the Ezillo/Ezza Ezillo communal war that claimed thousands of lives and properties worth billions of naira which was resolved by the past administration in the state, were awarded to 87 contractors by Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Out of the 87 contractors, only 24 of them have completed their projects while 63 were yet to do so.

Ori said "you will recall that on 22nd September, 2023, Ebonyi State government awarded contracts to various contractors for the construction of 140 units of three bedroom bungalows for Izzo and Amanze autonomous communities. These one hundred -forty bedrooms were shared evenly 70/ 70 per autonomous community.

"These contractors signed contract agreement with the ministry and mobilized 50% first in the history and they commenced construction. Along the line, they started making some request from the ministry which we considered. We deemed it necessary to convey a meeting with the the contractors.

" We had a meeting with the contractors on the 22nd of January, 2024 when the contractors having stayed up to the required time at the site. They came complaining that they need a variation of the job and we said no, we paid you people 50% of the mobilisation upon that you are expected to have completed the sub structural and super structural work.

"It was a very a long argument and after the day, I briefed my boss whom out of grace said we should give them up till April and the contractors were mobilized back to site and if you have any certificate outstanding should indicate and some of the contractors applied and we paid them and they returned back to site. Little did we know that some of them did not complete the project.

"When we now conveyed another meeting of the contractors on June, the contractors started giving many excuses and we told them to go back to site and complete the job. Some of these contractors are still waiting to see what we will do up till few days ago when the Ojiji festival, the Governor directed that any contractor who fails to finish his job on or before 25th of September shall be arrested and prosecuted according to the law of the contract agreement.

"Yesterday, I was at the site for inspection, I saw some of the contractors coming back to site and I do hope they are coming back to site to complete the work.

"Immediately the contract was awarded, the contractors signed contract agreement with the ministry. That agreement was drafted from the ministry of justice of Ebonyi State government. The contractors were given to go through it before signing of which they did.

"There is a very important section of the contractual agreement, ie, article 5 subsection ( g) that stated that contractors has no reason to stop that work except if certificate generated is delayed on payment and they have minimum of three months to stay in that site. These contractors have spent close to a year in that site and some of them are not ready to finish this job if we allow them to go the way they are going about it. They are also aware that this is a contract and I do not see reasons contractors should default".

On his part, Okpor said the law will take it's course on the contract no matter whose ox is gored and urged the contractors to comply with the agreement with the state government.

"If the governor's well thought out intensions to accommodate local contents in execution of contract in the State is referred to as kinsmen, I do not understand. But the truth remains that Ebonyi is an economy all of us must make conscious effort to stimulate if the resources of the state are given access to participate in the execution of contract, it will go a long way to stimulate the economy of the state, because these people are going to buy materials from people of the state and invariably it will help them to pay their taxes and other obligations to the State.

" So, no matter who is involved as His Excellency said, the law will take its course at the end of the expiration of this time that has been set by the state government because nobody is going to drag the state government out because of its magnanimity to patronise local content", he stated.

Revenue Boss vows to Boost Revenue collection in Ebonyi

By Uka Dave

The Executive chairman of Ebonyi State Board of internal Revenue Services, Chief Christopher Omo-Isu has said the Board was striving towards increasing internally generated revenue in the State.

Omo-Isu who stated this while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki said the Board is
poised to boost the revenue generation of the state by greater percentage to enable the governor, Francis Nwifuru to execute more life touching projects in the State.

The chairman who decried the activities of fake revenue taskforce agents who go about extorting petty traders in the various markets in the state, said the Board is making efforts to checkmate them however charged security operatives to clampdown on them to avert further extortion.

He said the board had launched tax digital automation with the aim to block all revenue generation leakages in the state.


According to him: "When we were inaugurated, governor Francis Nwifuru, made it clear that there are categories of people that we should not tax in Ebonyi state, you can't go to market and tax people who are selling vegetables. We even had a writeups that we circulated, telling our agents not to tax people who are doing business that are not up fifty or hundred thousand.

"We made it as a point of duty, if you are working for this service, don't go to such people to tax them. We don't go to markets to ask somebody who is selling tomatoes, vegetables to pay tax. If any person is doing it, such person or people are not from this service, and they are not doing it on behalf of the board.

"We did not engage such person or people and they are not from us, this is because we know our targets. In issue of tax, you don't force people to pay rather you convince people to know that it is their social responsibility to pay tax, and definitely they will come to pay.

"So, all these people collecting taxes from the tomatoes, vegetable sellers and other petty traders are not from us and we can't encourage them to do such.

"We have set up our taskforce to go to the markets and we are working with the police to get those collecting taxes from peasant farmers and petty traders arrested.

"We are doing everything possible to make sure that our revenue generation is boosted. And what we are trying to do, is to make sure that all leakages are stopped. For instance some people will come here, in my office, I will be here, if you come to pay tax somebody may stop you there, and collect higher money from you and will come here to remit small money to us here.

"That's the leakage, but if you are paying directly through the tax digital automation to the government account, that won't happen. So we are doing all things possible to stop the leakages, so that, if you pay any tax, it will get to the state government directly.

Ebonyi Assembly house Committee on Public Account lauds ministry of water resources as it holds Budget tracking

By Dave Ukah

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has held it's financial budget tracking with the ministry of Water Resources where the committee was satisfied with the efforts made so far in the provision of portable water supply to the people of the State.

The Chairman of the Committee and member representing Izzi West Constituency in the Ebonyi Stare House of Assembly Hon Chief Abiri Godwin Abiri harped on the importance of water to human life and therefore see it as an utmost importance to carry out the monitoring of budget provisions for water supply.

He asserted that the Public Accounts Committee remains the only Committee that was enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended and commended the state commissioner for water resources, Magnus Chinedum Nkah for revitalizing the moribund water ministry within a very short time urging him to sustain the feat.

Speaking also, the member representing Ebonyi North East Hon Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga, the member representing Edda East Hon Stephen Orji Igwe, the member representing Ezza South Hon Friday Ogbuewu and their counterpart from Ohaozara East Hon Chikezie Igu all commended the State Goverrnor Rt Hon Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his doggedness in repositioning the state and making water supply available to the people of the state but equally urged the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure further reticulation of the water scheme to all parts of the state.

On his part, the commissioner for water resources , Hon Magnus Chinedum NKah chronicled the achievements and projects of the Ministry to include the reactivation and rehabilitation of Ezillo water scheme, emergency repairs of water treatment plants at central resaviourr in both Abakalik and Oferekpe to forestall further vandalization of equipments at the water treatment plants, provision of water supply to fourteen General Hospitals in Ebonyi State and revitalization of EBRUWASSA which has resulted into the sinking of Fourty Seven water boreholes in some rural communities among the projects lined up for the year.

He expressed gratitude to the Committee for the meeting which he said will ensure cross fertilization of ideas and thanked the State Goverrnor, His Excellency Rt Hon Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the enabling environment created for him to carry out his duties.

In a vote of thanks , the Permeant Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources , Engr Chukwuma Ojeogu thanked the Committee Members and assured that the ministry learnt new things from the meeting which will be put into use for better performance.

Healthcare: Stakeholders advocate for increased budgetary line for ISS projects in Ebonyi


By Dave Uka

Participants at a day Media and Stakeholders roundtable on USAID funded ISS activities in Ebonyi State have called for increased budgetary line for Integrated Supportive Supervision, ISS
to enhance effective healthcare service delivery in the State

The stakeholders who reiterated their support to ensure proper implementation of Integrated Supportive Supervision, ISS in the State also called for the involvement of the private sector in the funding of the Integrated Supportive Supervision activities in PHCs in the State.

The Stakeholders/ media dialogue was convened by the Health System Strengthening Cluster of the SCALE ,a USAID funded project through Palladium, titled Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS).

The cluster comprises of six (6) civil society organizations across the country viz; Life Transformation for Africa Initiative (LIFT4AFRICA), Council for Affirmative Action (COFA), Women with Disability integrity & Development Initiative (WDIDI), Bauchi State Network of Civil Societies (BASNEC), She-Alert Care Foundation (SHE-ALERT) and Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI) serving as the anchor organization.

In his remarks the Anchor and Programme Manager, Life Transformation for Africa Initiative, Mr. Chimezie Ezeani, said the media and stakeholders engagement was to seek the support of the relevant stakeholders for successful implementation of the ISS projects in the State.

"The roundtable is aimed to discuss the role of relevant stakeholders in the State, in contributing towards improving healthcare service delivery through the creation of a budget line for Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS), in collaboration with the private sector"


He explained that Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) is a USAID sponsored programme, through the Palladium, implemented in four states in Nigeria: Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto and Ebonyi, aimed at promoting effective and efficient service delivery in the health sector.

"The Cluster is implementing The Scale project a USAID-funded 5-year project (Oct. 2020 – Oct. 2025), implemented by Palladium in collaboration with Nigeria Resource Partners (RPs)."

"Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) is an intervention that facilitates quality improvement by ensuring adequate oversight as well as skills and knowledge transfer to health care service providers. ISS has been accepted, tested and proven to enhance the performance and effectiveness of health care workers".

Some of the traditional rulers including His Royal Highness Ezeogo Ajogbo Okoro and His Royal Highness Ezeogo Amah Otu-Uzo of Oso and Owutu-Edda communities respectively, reaffirmed their continued support, so as to ensure that the primary healthcare centres in their various communities are properly taken care of, and also disclosed their challenges in the Integrated Supportive Supervision exercise.

Also speaking the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Samson Nwafor expressed gratitude to USAID and the anchoring team for always bringing life touching projects for the people of Ebonyi State, and promised that the journalists in the state would continue to use their various media organizations to support the initiative.

Provost FCET Isu confer with Fellow Academy of Edu Mgt, Policy Practitioners


By Dave Uka


The Provost Federal College of Education Technical Isu Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi state Prof. Okey Reuben Okechukwu was on weekend conferred with the fellow of Academy of Education Management and Policy Practitioners.

The event took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.

Our reporter gartherd that Prof. Okey Reuben Okechukwu, Fcai, PHF, was born in Abonyi – Okpoto, Oke Reuben Edede Okechukwu hails from Okpoto in Ishielu L.G.A of Ebonyi State. He attended Boys Secondary School Ezzamgbo and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He holds M.Ed and Ph.D from University of Nigeria.


Prof. Okey Okechukwu as he’s fondly called is a scholar, humanist, chartered administrator, devout Catholic, Community Leader and philanthropist per excellence. He has touched many lives.


The Provost at the home front is a peace maker. He has resolved many nagging and seemingly irreconcilable differences among high worth individuals and returned peace to the land even at very trying moments be it politics, religion or supremacy tussle in Okpoto land and beyond. He is adjudged a kind hearted, honest and lover of God.


He have held many public and corporate leadership positions such as Chairman, Committee of return of schools to the missionaries, Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), SA to the Governor on Education, SA to the National Assembly on Insurance and Allied Matters, Provost Federal College of Education Technical in Ebonyi State, etc.

Prof. is always ready and available to serve and work for God and humanity Prof Okechukwu, the Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical in Ebonyi State has consistently advocated for peace and sustainable democracy in the nation’s leadership.


Prof. Okechukwu holds over 100 Awards and Honours namely: NYSC Honours Award, Award of Excellence in Effective Tertiary Education Administration by University of Nigeria Nsukka, Fellow Chartered Institute of Administration, Paul Harris Fellow, Platinum award for corporate leadership, HIGH CHIEF, IKE OKPOTO OF OKPOTO Ancient kingdom, Ozo Igbo Ndu, shield of the masses, pillar of the church, Award of excellence by CWON, the only man member of the National Council of Catholic Women Organization Nigeria (CWON), Ambassador of Catholic Television of Nigeria, among others.

Ebonyi: Edda West DC Coordinator hails Women's role in Nation building



The Coordinator of Edda West Development Center Hon. Jecklin Onwubiko Ukpai has commended women for the noble roles they play in nation building

Hon. Ukpai who stated this during the flag off of this year Itim Edda Development Union ( Women wing) annual August Women meeting at Umunnabuike Primary School field, Itim Edda said the doggedness and steadfastness of women towards building a better society could not be overemphasized.

He stressed that women, worldwide, have contributed immensely in the development of the society.

He congratulated the women on their special occasion which he described as a unifying event for the entire Itim Edda Women

He maintained that the annual August meeting has become a veritable platform for women to unite, reflect and interact on development issues as well as proffer solutions to the challenges confronting them in particular and the society in general.

He admonished them to be worthy ambassadors of peace in their respective homes and engender the virtues of uprightness and commitment towards the growth of Itim Edda


He pledged to support the building project of the women and thereafter donated 0ne Hundred thousand Naria and fifty bags of Cement


The Coordinator who reiterated his commitment to continue to partner women in all sectors of development for the common good of the people of the area called on them to continue to support and rally round the present administration in the State under the dynamic leadership of Chief Francis Nwifuru and wife Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru for their good efforts in transforming Ebonyi State.



Highpoint of the event was a prayer from the women for the successful tenure of the Coordinator

Fuel subsidy removal made funds available for FG, states to function effectively– Sen. Eze

By Ukah Dave

The Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial district ,Senator Kenneth Eze, has defended the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government (FG) noting that it has made funds available for the FG and states to function effectively.

Eze, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Information made stated this at his home town, Ohaigbo Amagu in Ezza South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state during his one year constituency briefing and presentation of agricultural and empowerment items to his constituents.

The Senator said, though the effects of the subsidy might be hard, its overall benefits would soon be acknowledged by the citizens of the country.

"The removal was an unavoidable measure to prevent the government from running out of resources.

“States in particular could not had seen funds to run its operations if the subsidy was not removed. I join other leaders in the country to urge the citizens to be patient".

He explained that the economic problems Nigeria is facing currently did not begin with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but had built up for several years.

“Nigerians should know that the leaders feel their pains but with time, the policies of the present administration would manifest fully and things would be better.

"It takes a courageous and responsive government to take endearing economic policies which would not only correct the mistakes of the past but would secure the citizens's future".

Eze during the briefing, distributed over 1000 bags of fertilizer to farmers across the four LGAs which make up his constituency, assuring them of continued provision of democratic dividends.

He explained that the recent nationwide protest affected the transportation of the fertilizer from the depot in the North ahead of the event,but assured that as more of the fertilizers arrive the State, more farmers would benefit.

He noted that 220 bags of fertilizer was allocated to Ezza North, LGA, 220 to Ezza South, 400 to Ikwo, and 320 to Ishielu LGAs.

"I have made a financial allocation of N10 million to ease the transportation of the fertilizer to your various wards."


Senator Eze further said: "I have played pivotal roles in the passage of five significant bills in the National Assembly, co-sponsored several other important bills and stopped the passage of bills detrimental to my constituents' interest.

"I have facilitated the employment of over fifty Ebonyi people in the federal civil service as part of ongoing efforts to combat unemployment in the state,".

He thanked the State Governor, Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, for fostering unity and adhering to the people’s charter of needs manifesto, noting that the governor would always have his support and that of his constituents.

"We wouldn’t have gotten our share of his magnanimity if not for the unity he entrenched in the state, as he created an enabling environment that allows leaders serve their people effectively,"

The Chairman of the Association of Local Government Of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Chief Moses Ogbdo- Ali Nome commended the senator for his magnanimity towards his constituents, noting that such was the hallmark of effective representation.

"The people are yearning for good governance from their leaders and would always appreciate those who enhance their wellbeing especially in these hard times,".

Mrs Jane Igboke, a Beneficiary at the event, thanked the senator and pledged to judiciously utilise the item in her farming endeavour.

Other Stakeholders who spoke at the event including a business Mogul,Arc. Christian Asaga, Deputy Principal Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Hon Ereke, former Commissioner for Local Government, Hon Celestine Nwali, Commissioner for Rural Development in Ebonyi State, Barrister Ikeuwa Omebe, Commissioner for Environment in the State, Hon Victor Chukwu, Council Chairman of Ikwo LGA, Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, Council Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Dr Obinna Onwe, among others, commended Senator Eze for offering effective representation to the people of the zone and assured of their support. END//

Ebonyi govt flags off training of CSD projects management committees



By Ukah Dave

Ebonyi State government has flaged off training of Community and Social development projects implementation management committees for 54 communities qualified for CSDA support under the NG-CARES programme,a world Bank Assisted project.


The training was meant to empower the committees of the benefiting communities with the prerequisite knowledge on how to carry out the world Bank Assited projects in their various communities in line with the world Bank approved standard.


Flagging off the training at Re Meritona Hotel Abakaliki, the governor, stated that the event anchored by Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency, EB-CSDA in collaboration with Ministry of Human Capital Development and Monitoring would not tolerate sharp practices.

Nwifuru who was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs Ann Aligwe who said that the programme is in line with the People's Charter of Needs agenda charged the benefiting communities to make judicious use of the fund to execute their choice projects.


She stressed that the fund would be paid into communities's account after the training and warned the benefiting communities against shuddy job stating that government would not tolerate sharp practices.

The General Manager,Ebonyi state community and social Development Agency, EB-CSDA, Mr James Iroh, said that fifteen members of Community Project Management Committee were selected from each of the communities for the training as to ensure proper monitoring and implementation of the projects and added that with the support of NGOs and units that the project would be properly supervised according to the global standard of the Agency.

The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi state chapter, Comrade Samson Nwafor who is also the chairman implementation committee of Amuzu Community in Ezza South Council Area described the training as impactful stating that the opportunity was to direct committee on the best approach to executing the project and promised to protect them for the fulfilment of the purpose it was executed.

Also, Mr Ewa Nworie, who represented Eka-Awoke community in Ikwo, and Mrs Nwabugo Nwankwo of Ezza-Ofu Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi state who said the intensive training was meant to empower the committees with the prerequisite knowledge on how to carry out the world Bank Assited projects in their various communities in line with the world Bank approved standard and promised to carry the assignment optimally.

Our Correspondent reports that the one day training programme was organized for community project management committee (CPMCs), Local Government Desk Officers,(MDA DOCs) in the third batch of 54 communities that qualified for Agency support under the NG-CARES programme of World Bank Assisted Projects.

Ebonyi: NGO Calls for Private Sector engagement in Primary Health Centers supervision

Uka Dave


A Non- Governmental Organization, Life Transformation for Africa Initiative (LIFT4AFRICA) has called for the establishment of a private sector engagement unit within the Primary Health Centers Departments of Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State to assist in mobilizing resources for Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) activities in the State.


The Program Manager of LIFT4AFRICA, Mr. Ezeani Chiemezie who made the call over the weekend at a media roundtable organized by the foundation in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state said non-inclusion of private sector partners in funding and supporting ISS activities in the state is depriving the state of valuable resources.

He said that the initiative, anchored by the Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI), aimed at achieving the USAID-funded five-year Health System Strengthening Cluster project in the state.

He said the project, implemented by Palladium in collaboration with Nigeria Resource Partners (RPS), is titled “Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through ISS.”

He explained that the unit, would play a crucial role in mobilizing resources for ISS activities, thereby reducing the heavy reliance on donor funding.

“Domestic financial support for ISS in Ebonyi is inadequate, leading to high dependency on donor funding,” Ezeani noted. “While donor support is important, it is mostly unsustainable and has debilitating effects on ISS continuity.”

Ezeani identified several challenges facing ISS activities in Ebonyi, including the high cost of fuel and transportation, which has negatively impacted the frequency and coverage of supervision, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

He also pointed out that supervision activities are primarily conducted in facilities receiving the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other interventions, leaving many health clinics and health posts without adequate oversight.

He pointed out that Ebonyi state has 504 primary health centers (PHCs), but only 171 of these centers, which amounts to one per ward, receive adequate supervision.

This lack of comprehensive supervision, he argued, severely undermines the quality of healthcare delivery across the state.

Ezeani stressed that without dedicated funding for ISS, the state’s healthcare system would continue to struggle with inefficiencies and poor service delivery

“The reliance on donor funding for conducting supervision is unsustainable,” he said.

“The non-inclusion of private sector partners in funding and supporting ISS activities in the state is depriving the state of valuable resources. Additionally, the absence of a Technical Working Group to plan and implement ISS activities in the state is having a negative impact.” He stated.

Nweze applauds President Tinubu on signing South-East Development Commission bill

By Dave Ukah


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement South East, Mrs. Chioma Nweze has applauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission bill into Law

Mrs Chioma in a statement praised the President’s commitment to addressing the region’s development challenges and fostering unity noting that the assent of the bill represents a significant stride towards addressing historical disparities and promoting inclusivity which would
engender greater sense of belonging to the Nigerian project among the southeastern populace.

The Statement reads: "I am delighted to convey my heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving assent to the long-awaited bill for the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission.

"The landmark endorsement of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) represents a significant stride towards addressing historical disparities and promoting inclusivity which would engender greater sense of belonging to the Nigerian project among the southeastern populace.

"Mr President’s action in giving the SEDC Act the full force and effect of the law clearly embodies a commitment to uplifting marginalised communities and fostering national cohesion under the Renewed Hope agenda.

"I expect that the expeditious coming into force of the Commission, in addition to addressing the developmental challenges faced by the South East region of Nigeria, will provide a clear roadmap for targeted interventions to promote economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare in the region.

In a related development, the SSA to the President on Community Engagement South East, Nweze, however applauded the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Andy Uba and others for their contributions in ensuring that the bill is given an accelerated passage.

"I specially salute the National assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District Chief Andy Uba and forerunners like Senator Stella Odua and others, for working tirelessly to ensure that the Bill survived its turbulent and protracted legislative journey which began since 2017, and for giving it accelerated passage" she stressed.

Gov Nwifuru disburses N2.055bn Micro project, labour welfare Work fund

By Dave Ukah

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has flagged off the disbursement of N2.055 billion Naira to 100 communities for micro projects and 2,040 persons for Labour Intensive Public Welfare work in the State .


Governor Nwifuru while disbursing the cheques to the beneficiary communities, implored them to make judicious use of the funds for the development of their communities and the good of Ebonyi State.

The governor who was represented by the speaker Ebonyi state House of Assembly,Moses Ije-Odunwa said that the state wide micro-project and fund disbursement would be beneficial to 100 qualified communities to the tone of 12.5 million naira for each community for the development of the rural projects.

The Speaker also noted that 2,040 labour intensive public workfare beneficiaries would receive the sum of one hundred and eighty (180,000) per individual and said that the decision was in line with the governor's people's charter of needs mantra.

"Our government is committed to embarking on community-driven development projects and taking care of the people's welfare in Ebonyi State. Just imagine when the 100 projects are simultaneously embarked on and completed in the 100 qualified communities in this state."

Earlier, the state Commissioner for human capital development and monitoring, Mrs Ann Aligwe said that the areas of focus in the community projects were chosen by the people who know the basic needs of their communities.

She commended Governor Nwifuru for embarking on humanitarian services, noting that the empowerment of the 100 communities would bring in different social amenities including pipe-borne holes, electricity, health centers, schools, among others in the state.

He added that the disbursement of 180,000 Naira to each of the 2,040 Labour Intensive Public Workfare beneficiaries were selected across the 13 local government areas and would receive alerts in two batches, making it 360,000 Naira per person.

According to her, each of the Labour Intensive Public Workfare beneficiaries was supposed to be receiving 30,000 Naira every month, but the state governor decided to pay them in long sums in two batches due to the harsh economy to cushion the effects.

She assured that the beneficiaries would receive alerts for the second batch after Six months, urging them to utilize the fund for economic-driven development purposes for the benefit of humanity.

Other speakers at the event included the General Manager of Ebonyi State Government and Social Development Agency (EB-CDA), Mr James Iron, the State Commissioner for Finance - Dr. Leonard Uguru, a member representing Ebonyi North West Constituency in the State Assembly - Barrister Nwodo Aloysius Nwodo, among others, commended Governor Nwifuru and described his administration as the people's orientated one.

In an interview, some of the beneficiaries including,Mr Abraham Ovuoba and Dr Fidelis Nwankwo said that the intervention of the state government in community projects most especially on health sector would help to save lives by curtailing mortality in health centres and appealed that the governor should give special attention in rural electrification, rural road networking and primary school renovations.

Reps. Ogah distributes fertilizers to Constituents

By Ukah Dave


The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Comrade Chinedu Ogah has distributed 800 bags of fertilizers to members of his Constituency to aid their agricultural exploits in the State.

Distributing the farm inputs , Hon. Ogah who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, urged the recipients to make judicious use of the agricultural input.

He said the gesture was meant to complement the efforts of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in the Area of Agriculture, among other sectors of the economy.

On the forthcoming July, 20, 2024 Local Government Area election in the State, Hon. Ogah charged his Constituents to come out in mass and vote during the election.

“We are here to share the 600 bags given to us from the National Assembly. It will be shared along Party lines, stakeholders and different support groups. We want it to benefit everybody. Our own is to complement the effort of our Governor. Please ensure you use the farm input judiciously.

“Everybody that believes in me should come out and vote. Every stakeholder that didn’t go home for the voting doesn’t believe in me. He stated.