Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says discussions have reached an advanced stage with a renowned company for the construction of a 250-room five-star hotel in Umuahia to boost tourism and business in the state capital. Otti said this on Friday during a civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency at the Umuahia Township Stadium. He said that the site for the facility had already been identified, adding that a partnership agreement would be signed over the weekend ahead of an imminent groundbreaking event. “I got the draft agreement, which I shall sign…
Author: Newsdesk
The Enugu State Government says it has supported over 500,000 individuals and more than 10,000 businesses through its EN-CARES programme since 2022. The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Chris-Robert Ozongwu, disclosed this on Friday in Enugu during the unveiling of NG-CARES 2.0, tagged Operation 2.0. Ozongwu, who is also the Chairman of the state CARES Steering Committee, described the programme as transformative, saying it has significantly improved livelihoods across communities. He said over 217 community micro-projects have been completed, while thousands of farmers received inputs and equipment to boost productivity. “We have seen communities light up, not just with…
The Anambra Library Director, Mrs Obioma Obalum, has urged parents to encourage their children to regularly visit public libraries during holidays to keep their minds active. Obalum made the call in an interview with reporters in Awka on Friday. She said holidays should not completely detach children from learning but should be used to cultivate good reading habits. According to her, children who visit libraries during holidays have access to books and educational materials that can improve their knowledge. “It also helps them develop a love for reading, which will benefit them in school,” she said. READ ALSO: TETFund boss…
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to decisively defeat all security threats confronting the nation. Shaibu gave the assurance during an operational visit to Yobe State, where he conducted a battlefield assessment and boosted troop morale. This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Friday. The COAS said the army remained steadfast despite recent attacks on troop positions, noting that ongoing operational adjustments were already yielding results. “The Nigerian Army will remain aggressive and adaptive in responding to evolving threats across various theatres…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide over technical deficiencies observed during the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB disclosed this in a statement signed by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Friday in Abuja. Benjamin, who also issued warnings to several centres with minor operational challenges, said one centre in Lagos State had been permanently barred from participating in any of the board’s examinations. According to him, the mock UTME serves as an essential preparatory exercise designed to familiarise candidates with the CBT environment and enable JAMB…
The World Health Organization (WHO) says women’s leadership is strengthening Nigeria’s health system, placing them at the frontline of disease detection and response. In a statement on Friday, WHO said women have been driving faster reporting, higher vaccination coverage and stronger trust between communities and health services. The UN health agency cited the experience of a mother in Tudu, Keffi, Nasarawa State, as a reflection of what is happening across many parts of Nigeria. “When my son developed a rash, I was scared, but the women health workers came to our home, explained what to do and helped us get…
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised 10 terrorists and rescued 41 kidnapped victims in coordinated nationwide operations within 24 hours. This was disclosed in an operational report released to reporters on Friday in Abuja. The report stated that operations conducted between Thursday and Friday also led to arrests and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and logistics. In the North-West, troops rescued 18 kidnapped civilians after ambushing terrorists at a crossing point in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State. “Similarly, troops intensified operations in Zamfara and Kebbi States, arresting suspected collaborators and disrupting terrorist movements,” the report…
The Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, in Zamfara State has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its security architecture to protect the lives of staff and students. The Rector, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, stated this in Kaura Namoda on Friday during the 38th matriculation ceremony of 1,450 newly admitted students for the 2025/2026 academic session. Yusuf reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, adding that the institution aims to maintain a peaceful academic environment. “You know, security and a peaceful academic environment are necessary for an effective teaching and learning process. “As we all know, without peace, effective learning cannot be…
The Aba Fire Service Commander, Mr. Belenta Belenta, has said that the cause of the fire that razed heaps of beer crates at the Nigerian Breweries Plc Aba Depot has yet to be determined. Belenta confirmed to reporters in Aba on Friday that the fire broke out at the depot on Thursday evening, leaving stacks of beer crates completely burnt. He commended the Federal Fire Service, Oris Group Fire Unit, and Valumbra Flour Mills Fire Unit for their assistance in bringing the fire under control. READ ALSO: Nigeria reaffirms UN partnership for youth, women He said that brewery staff appeared…
The Federal Government has tasked the Technical Working Group on Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) to intensify nationwide vaccination efforts aimed at eradicating the disease across Nigeria. CBPP is a bacterial cattle disease that causes severe pneumonia, often proves fatal, and results in significant livestock production losses globally. Its outbreaks threaten food security, safe trade, and cattle production in endemic African countries. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the call during the inauguration of the Technical Working Group on CBPP on Friday in Abuja. He decried that CBPP remains endemic in Nigeria, challenging the country’s goal of a productive,…